Seth-Tech

Saturday, September 28, 2002

How sweet it is
36-14 - How Sweet It Is

How big is this victory for Iowa State? How bad is this loss for Nebraska?

The last time Iowa State beat Nebraska, I was a sophomore in high school.

Going into this game, Nebraska had beaten Iowa State 23 out of the last 24 meetings.

Nebraska, who will certainly not be ranked in the top 25 next week, hasn't been unranked since 1981, ending a streak of 348 appearances in the top 25.

This is the first time Iowa State has won five games in a row since 1980.

Iowa State hadn't beaten a ranked opponent since 1993.

Nebraska hasn't had two consecutive regular-season losses since 1976, the year I was born.

Nebraska hadn't lost a conference season opener for 27 years.

I'll admit it, even I thought the Cyclones would lose this game, Nebraska has dominated the Cyclones for so long that I've just become accustomed to them losing. But Iowa State's defense stymied Nebraska on all but one play, that lucky 90 yard pass for the first touchdown. Seneca Wallace didn't have an outstanding game, but he certainly got the job done, completing passes almost at will to Lane Danielsen, who made Pat Ricketts his bitch.

Nebraska had so many penalties called against them, it seemed they were almost trying to lose this game. Jammal Lord was deservedly benched, though it didn't matter much by that point in the game, Nebraska had given up the ghost. I'm sure there's a lot of partying going on tonight in Ames, and a whole lot of crying going on in Lincoln. Frank Solich is going to be looking in the employment section of the newspaper tomorrow, as the Nebraska faithful are going to want his head. Exorcising the Nebraska demon is what Iowa State desperately needed to do before they could stake a claim on being a true Top 25 football team. Make no mistake about it, the Cyclones have arrived.

- posted by Seth @ 4:27 PM