History Lesson: 2002 Iowa State vs. Texas Tech

Seneca Wallace, taken as a member of the Cleveland Browns. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

In the brief 10-meeting history between the Cyclones and Red Raiders, there are two moments that instantly come to mind as a fan of the cardinal and gold. Last year’s shocking blowout victory when the team ran all over the place for over 350 yards, and back in 2002 when Seneca Wallace did a little magic with his feet as well.

Ranked 11th in the AP polls at the time, the dream season continued with a tremendous defensive effort and another dominating running attack in 31-17 win at Jack Trice Stadium. The team picked up 228 yards rushing total, ignited in the third quarter by Wallace’s 12-yard touchdown run. Previously, the game was tied at a field goal each from the first quarter.

It wasn’t as simple as the box score indicated. After not being able to find anybody open, Wallace scrambled from one side of the field to the other, and was able to reach the endzone following a huge block by running back Michael Wagner.

Iowa State went on to score 21 points in that quarter. Lance Danielsen ran for a huge 79-yard touchdown on the first play of the next Cyclone drive. After Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury threw for six times and ran it up the middle once in their next drive, he would fumble the ball at the team’s own 40-yard line and picked up by Anthony Forrest.

Wallace made it look easy, throwing to Jack Whitver and Lance Young, combining with handing it off to Wagner three different times – that final one a three-yard dash to the endzone for the third time in as many quarters played.

The Red Raiders, who averaged over 400 passing yards a game, were held to just 272 in the air. Paul Rhoads will hope to keep their offense in check again this time around.

Iowa State is 3-7 all-time against Texas Tech. Before coming together in the Big 12, they two met previously twice before in 1974 and 1967. The Red Raiders blew away the competition with a combined score of 76-3 in both meetings. Now in the previous two seasons, the Cyclones have picked up two victories by a combined score of 93-45.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Clones Confidential. Keep up with the latest sports fails and disdain toward the Big Ten by following him on Twitter.

Read his other work on the Oregon Ducks blog, Autzen Zoo, and Lacrosse the Web.