Iowa State Cyclones College Football Tickets Available

Going by the "Cyclones" as their nicknames, the Iowa State Cyclones are the college football team of Iowa State University. Playing their games at the Jack Trice Stadium, the first group of athletes was formed in 1892. Like any other team?s stadium, Jack Trice traces its roots from the Iowa state athlete who suffered a fatal injury while playing for the Cyclones.

The name "Cyclones" was adapted in 1895, because before that, the team was known as the "Cardinals." The name also had a very interesting story, as it was derived from a Chicago tribune headline "Struck by a Cyclone," because it was during those times when Iowa was hit by major tornadoes. This name also helped Iowa State make it to the world of football.

Its official school colors are cardinal and gold, and their school mascot has an equally fascinating story to tell. The team uses a cardinal named Cy as their mascot, but before the match up between the Cyclones and the Buffaloes on November 12, 2005, the spectators experienced real tornado when it struck Ames, Iowa. Luckily, the Iowa State Cyclones won over the Buffaloes 30-16.

Gene Chizik heads the team at present, and the Cyclones have had recent success in terms of bowl appearances. Missing only one game from 2000 to 2005, their other football rivals include the Iowa Hawkeyes, Colorado Buffaloes, Kansas Jayhawks, and the Missouri Tigers. They joined the Big 12 Conference in 1996, and in 2000, the team defeated Pittsburgh in the Insight Bowl for their first ever bowl win. Back in 1911 and 1912, the team also won two Missouri Valley Conference championships. Their first bowl game was in El Passo, Texas before a massive crowd and in the national TV. Coming in as an underdog, the team faced Louisiana State during that time. In 2000, their fans once again went to the Reliant Stadium for the New Year's Eve showdown. By the end of the game, Jason Berryman of Iowa was awarded the game's defensive MVP, with 12 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks and tackles for loss.

Iowa State Cyclones players who have made special contributions to football history include Seneca Wallace, Joe Beauchamp, David Archer, Matt Blair (one of the top linebackers in the National Football Conference during the height of his career, and earned Pro Bowl honors for six consecutive seasons), Stan Campbell and Troy Davis (who is now part of the Canadian Football Leage running with the Toronto Argonauts).

The latest news about the team is when Iowa State freshman Leonard Johnson was named Big 12 Conference Player of the Week after setting a record of 319 kickoff yards at Oklahoma State. According to their coach Gene Chizik, Johnson also has some real blocking and was also in three tackles, including one for loss.

Sports enthusiasts shouldn?t enjoy the game from their TVs at home, instead, watch the games to experience the action and cheer their favorite sports team. On November 8, 2008, the team will battle it out with the Colorado Buffaloes as they compete against each other at the Folsom Field.