ESPN.com blogger posts All-decade team
ESPN.com’s Tim Griffin — the worldwide leader’s Big 12 blogger since 2008 — posted his choices for Iowa State’s all-decade team on Tuesday afternoon.
Some notable choices include:
Quarterback Seneca Wallace led the ISU offense in 2001 and 2002 and held several career offensive records — such as passing yardage, total yardage and touchdown passes — until Bret Meyer broke them during his time as the ISU quarterback. Wallace is probabaly best remembered for “The Run” against Texas Tech in 2002 and also holds the record for most touchdowns scored in an ISU uniform with 62 (both rushing and passing) in just two years in cardinal and gold.
Running back Ennis Haywood had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Cyclones in 2000-01, and is one of seven ISU running backs — Mike Strachan in 1972-73, Dexter Green in 1976-77, Dwayne Crutchfield in 1980-81, Joe Henderson in 1987-88, Troy Davis (back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons) in 1995-96 and Darren Davis in 1997-1999 being the others — to accomplish such a feat. Haywood’s back-to-back campaigns came at the end of a seven-year stretch in which Iowa State had a 1,000 yard runner in each season.
Todd Blythe was not only a fan favorite during his four seasons at Iowa State, but he is also the ISU career leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Blythe amassed 176 catches, 3,096 yards and 31 touchdowns between 2004 and 2007, making him the most prolific receiver in ISU history.
Defensive players such as “Big Play” Brent Curvey (second all-time in sacks), Nick Leaders (fourth all-time in sacks), Alvin “Ace” Bowen (sixth all-time in tackles) and Ellis Hobbs (sixth all-time in interceptions) were also on Griffin’s all-decade team.
There were four current or graduating ISU players on the team, as well. Senior center Reggie Stephens and senior linebacker Jesse Smith were the two outgoing Cyclones to make the list, while junior runningback Alexander Robinson and sophomore cornerback Leonard Johnson were the two returning players to make the cut.
The full team as well as Griffin’s comments can be seen at this link: Big 12 All-Decade Team
INSIGHT BOWL: Cyclones top Gophers 14–13
TEMPE, Ariz. — FINAL SCORE: Iowa State 14, Minnesota 13
The Cyclones have won the 2009 Insight Bowl, thanks in part to a MarQuies Gray fumble and the ability of a few of their playmakers to seal the victory. The win was Iowa State’s first bowl win since the 2004 victory over Miami (Ohio).
Head coach Paul Rhoads was elated after the game, exclaiming once again he was “proud to be” Iowa State’s football coach during the presentation of the Insight Bowl Trophy. The announcement was made in front of the Iowa State faithful that made the trip to Tempe — a large portion of the 45,090 announced in attendance at the game.
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INSIGHT BOWL: Gophers bring dual threat at quarterback
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Junior Adam Weber, Minnesota’s career leader in pass completions and total yards, remains the Gopher’s starting quarterback. But the Gophers have continued to give freshman MarQueis Gray time under center.
Gray has appeared in all 12 games this season, with his playing time varying. While his passing game still leaves room for improvement (he collected only 51 yards through the air this year), Gray’s defining characteristic is his mobility. Gray compiled 231 rushing yards in his debut season, averaging 5.2 yards per carry on 44 attempts.
Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster said the Gophers will actively use Gray during the Insight Bowl.
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INSIGHT BOWL: Tempe familiar site for Minnesota
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — While Iowa State is making its first bowl appearance since 2005, Tempe, Ariz., has become a second home for Minnesota during bowl season..
The Gophers’ appearance in Thursday’s Insight Bowl will be the third time playing in the bowl game in the last four year’s
Minnesota’s familiarity with the game and the experience that surrounds bowl week has given the team an added level of comfort going into its showdown with the Cyclones.
“It gives us an excellent advantage,” said Gopher linebacker Lee Campbell. “We have been past that ‘wow’ factor. Just from the standpoint of most of the seniors on this team and the leadership, we mean business.”
A win on Thursday would be a first for Minnesota in Tempe.
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INSIGHT BOWL: Life after Eric Decker
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — In four seasons, Minnesota senior Eric Decker transformed himself into one of the top wide receivers in the country.
Decker has etched his name at the top of the Gopher football record books, becoming Minnesota’s career receiving yards leader and the first Gopher to collect more than 3,000 yards in a career (3119).
But while running a route during Minnesota’s eighth game of the season against Ohio State this year, Decker tore several ligaments in his left foot. The injury not only ended his season, but also his career.
Minnesota, who will take on Iowa State tomorrow in the Insight Bowl, has had to adjust quickly to life after Decker.
“He’s going to go down as one of the greatest of all-time at the at the University of Minnesota,” Gopher quarterback Adam Weber said this week during Minnesota’s preparation for Thursday’s game. “Without him, it will hurt. But we still have young guys that have stepped up and shown what they can do.”
The struggles the Gophers have had in Decker’s absence have been easily visible.
Minnesota scored only one passing touchdown in its last three games this season and did not score an offensive touchdown in its last two, including a 12-0 loss to Iowa in the regular season finale.
The offense’s woes aside, Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster said his quarterback Weber, who amassed only 247 yards in the last two games, has responded positively to the loss of his number one target.
“I think he is very comfortable,” Brewster said after the Gopher’s practice on Tuesday. “We’re striving to be more consistent. Today, we had an excellent practice throwing and catching the football. I think Adam is going to play well and those around him are going to play well.”
With month to let the disappointment from the last two games fester, the Gopher offense feels it has something to prove when it takes the field against the Cyclones.
“We have had a lot of time to sit back and look at what we got to change and get going and just build the momentum up and come out there and have a strong offensive performance,” Gopher tight end Nick Tow-Arnett said during Wednesday’s press conference.
Although his college playing career reached an untimely end, Decker has remained with the team and has worked to be a positive assistant for the Gophers.
“He’s a very settling influence,” Brewster said. “He’s a veteran guy. He’s a heck of a kid. Him being in the room and be around the guys hopefully is a plus.”
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