Proud to be a Cyclone!

I was raised to be a Cyclone.  My grandfather and father are both veterinarians and spent their undergrad and vet school years at ISU.  My mother's side of the family also bleeds cardinal and gold.  Since I was a baby, I was dressed in Cyclone clothes and have loved Cy as much as Santa as I grew up.  Nearly four years ago I became a Cyclone myself.  Iowa State is not seen as a powerhouse in any sport year after year, but it seems that fans always show up and always support the team.  It's hard to get behind the underdog week after week, but Cyclone fans are nothing if not loyal.

My parents and grandparents have had season tickets as long as I can remember.  When we moved back from Hawaii, we got season tickets too.  It's a fun family bonding experience and I really enjoy college football.  Earlier in the year Rick and I missed the Iowa/Iowa State rivalry game when we were in Europe and we were told that it was the greatest game ever played.  We were bummed, especially when the first two home games we saw were losses.  But nothing could have prepared us for Friday night.

We were a 4 touchdown underdog to the number 2 team in the nation, undefeated Oklahoma State University.  The first quarter was great--we were holding them and had the ball longer, but no score.  Going into halftime, we were trailing by 10, but we're a second half team.  We had nothing to lose, and strangely, we often play better when the world doesn't expect it.  But in the 3rd it went downhill and we were trailing 24-7.  Somehow, magically, we were tied with mere minutes left.  And then a nail-biting missed field goal attempt from OSU.  We watched, a bit confused, as ISU took the victory formation to take the game into overtime.  I guess a loss to #2 looks better with an OT behind it.  Regardless, though it was late and the crowd was tired from the emotional roller coaster, we weren't going anywhere.

Opening play of overtime and I remember the silence in the stands from the snap until we saw the ball caught.  Then eruption.  Touchdown ISU!  Did that really happen?  I remember jumping into Rick's arms as he picked me up and we were all screaming.  OSU answered.  We steeled for another chance for an upset, and finally realizing that we may be able to pull it off.  OSU had the ball first and we intercepted.  The crowd erupted, in happy disbelief.  And then they gave it to Woody (as they did at the end of the Kansas game) and he runs straight forward through the line.  Once.  Twice.  Three times into the end zone for the win.  The crowd erupted and poured on to the field.

 37-31 victory over the #2 ranked team in the nation in 2 overtimes.  Tears were in my eyes, and the hard-core season ticket holders in our section stood in awe, wondering if that just happened.  Even now I can't believe it happened, and how the crowd was always behind our boys, never wavering.  Coach Rhoads believed, the team believed.  We believed with them.  Quite possibly the greatest victory in school history.  And we were there, loyal fans, rewarded for our loyalty.

After the game we decided to be part of the celebration and headed down on the filed with my sister and brother-in-law.  Someone somewhere was cuing up celebratory songs and the crowd sang along to "Sweet Caroline", "Celebration", "Celebrate Good Times", and "Don't Stop Believin'".  I remember wondering how impromptu that music was or if that someone was hoping and made a playlist just in case.

My winter coat is unfortunately the same color as OSU jerseys!

I can't get enough of the post-game.  Cyclones.com (obviously) has some great coverage--they have made DVDs of the game already!   ESPN has some of the best video footage I've seen from Coach Rhoads and reaction from the sportscasters that didn't know who ISU was before last night.  Not only was there an upset and a historic win for the school, but it also made us bowl eligible.  The game was epic, and I'm glad I was there.  I have never been prouder to be a Cyclone!