Rosenfels, Wallace Still Love Iowa State

AMES, Iowa – What a coincidence. Iowa State NFL quarterbacks Seneca Wallace and Sage Rosenfels were both in town attending the Cyclone men's basketball game vs. Texas Tech Wednesday in Hilton Coliseum. Rosenfels, who played at ISU from 1996-2000, and Wallace, who was the Iowa State starting quarterback in 2000 and 2001, were back on campus for different reasons and both were excited about attending the basketball game.

Rosenfels earned his bachelor's degree in marketing in December of 2000, just before leaving for the Insight.com Bowl, a 37-29 win over Pittsburgh. Wallace earned his bachelor's degree in sociology in 2003 after leading the Cyclones to 2002 Humanitarian Bowl.

Rosenfels' NFL career has spanned 10 seasons with Washington, Miami, Houston, Minnesota and his current team, the New York Giants. Wallace spent most of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks before being traded to the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2010 season.

The professional career of both Cyclones have exceeded in length and accomplishment what most observers would have predicted. But both Iowa Staters focused on their Cyclone experience before Wednesday's game.

“My time at Iowa State was magical,” Rosenfels said. “From the time I first put on a helmet in eighth grade to 4 ½ years at Iowa State and now 10 years in the NFL, I still look back on my time as a Cyclone as the highlight of my career. I still maintain the friendships I made during college.”

Wallace has similar memories.

“It was an awesome experience,” Wallace said. “I have such great memories of the fans who supported us through highs and lows. The Cyclone fan community was always behind us.”

Rosenfels and Wallace played for former Iowa State head coach Dan McCarney. Both are big on current Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads.

“I was here when (Rhoads) was an assistant coach. He earned the respect of the players by how he treated others and how he carried himself,” Rosenfels said.

Wallace concurs.

“I know that (Rhoads) is a great motivator like coach McCarney was,” Wallace said. “I heard about his speech to the team after the win at Nebraska. He is doing a great job.”

Iowa State University Athletics

Related Videos

Sponsors