The magic is contagious. At least that’s what Iowa State Head Football Coach Dan McCarney thinks.

What magic? Hilton magic. And now, quite possibly, Jack Magic.

With three of the first four games at Cyclone Stadium/Jack Trice Field being sellouts, and three of the five games (including tomorrow’s bout against Texas A&M) being televised, Cyclone fever has hit hard.

“The reaction and the enthusiasm the Iowa State fans back behind this program is huge,” McCarney said. “It’s major.”

McCarney likened it to the fan support ISU basketball players receive and the winning streak in Hilton Coliseum known as Hilton Magic.

“Fans are starting to understand the impact they can have on a football game like they have on basketball at Hilton Coliseum,” he said.

Cyclone Stadium literally packed a punch during the Iowa State/ Missouri game. The sold-out crowd was described as one of the most memorable.

“I had headphones over my ears, and it was still loud,” McCarney said. “The kids respond to that. It gives the team a lot of confidence.

“That was the most involved crowd by far,” he said about the fans who turned out to see the Cyclones take on the Tigers. “They were super.”

The players are also impressed with the improvement of the fan support. “When I walk down that hallway and hear the fans screaming their heads off for the ‘Clones, linebacker Derrik Clark said, “I just thank God that I’m here.”