ISU Seniors Set for Final Home Outing

11.13.2009 | Football

By: cyclones.com

AMES, Iowa -- Senior center Reggie Stephens was talking with former Iowa State quarterback Bret Meyer the other day.

“I told him how fast it all went by and that I can't believe that I am playing my last home game,” Stephens said. “He told me ?make the last one a good one.'”

Stephens is one of 23 Cyclone seniors who will make their final appearance in Jack Trice Stadium Saturday. The Cyclones are concentrating on beating Colorado in a game that kicks off at 1 p.m. A win would make Iowa State bowl eligible. While many fans may be surprised by the Cyclones' solid play this season, many of the seniors are not surprised.

“We have all been together for a long time,” Stephens said. “We have faith in each other.”

It has been a career of twist and turns for the Rowlett, Texas native, who has played three line positions before finding a home at center this year. Stephens, who has already earned his bachelor's degree, had started 36 straight games before appendicitis surgery Oct. 27. He missed only the Texas A&M game four days later.

Stephens' leadership has been cited by ISU head football coach Paul Rhoads.

“Reggie is a leader in every sense of the word,” Rhoads says. “He is definitely someone you can count on.”

Each Cyclone senior has a story. Cornerback Kennard Banks played with a broken arm last season. Mike Brandtner is one of the best punters in Iowa State history. He may be best remembered for his 20-yard run on a fake punt at Nebraska that set up a touchdown pass. The play secured a 9-7 victory in the first ISU win in Lincoln, Neb. since 1977.

Derek Catlett tried several positions before finding a home at tight end, where he has 64 career catches for 595 yards on four TDs. Linebacker Fred Garrin has 156 tackles. Wide receiver Marquis Hamilton has had a great year, stepping up when fellow starters were injured, and he was featured in a story in the Daily Oklahoman last week. Hamilton is already in the ISU career top 10 with 115 catches for 1,428 yards and seven touchdowns. This season he has 38 catches for 525 yards and three scores.

Josh Raven has made 33 tackles this season with three sacks.

It isn't all about numbers. Mike Knapp, who had started in the offensive line for the Cyclones last season, has overcome injuries and medical issues that ended his playing career. Still a part of the team, he will be recognized with his parents on the field Saturday.

Christopher Lyle didn't even play high school football until his senior season. Like Stephens, he thought of himself as a basketball player. But he came out for the sport his final year of high school and has 51 tackles and three sacks.

Linebacker Jesse Smith has 280 career tackles heading into Saturday's game. The Altoona native is a former walkon whose play at middle linebacker has made him a major contributor to Cyclone victories this fall.

Stephens is one of four co-captains who will make their final home appearance Saturday. Nate Frere started games as a freshman and Saturday will be his 40th appearance. The Muscatine native attended ISU after his brother Nick, who also played for the Cyclones. Nate Frere has 58 career tackles and 4 ? sacks.

Derec Schmidgall returned an interception for touchdown last season and is the only linebacker in the country who holds for kicks. Safety James Smith has come back from injury and heads into the game Saturday with 243 career tackles and three interceptions.

Linebacker Kyle Benning of Waverly, defensive back Andrew Crenshaw Albany, Ga., lineabacker Brian Ekwelundu of Corpus Christi, Texas, defensive end Chase Hurtig of Hull, wide receiver Houston Jones of Oklahoma City, Okla., linebacker Justin Rumple of Casey, defensive end Kyle Slifka of Cresco, defensive back Kyle Walker of Cedar Rapids, deep snapper David Wonders of Waukee and wide receiver Joel Zitek of Ulysses, Neb. will all be introduced before the game Saturday.