Best ISU FB Player from the 80's/90's/00's

[cyclonelifer]

It's kind of interesting that the most powerful decade in Cyclone history - the '70s - isn't going to be mentioned.

When going to a bowl meant something - ISU went four times and the best team from that decade didn't even go makes you wonder why no mention of that decade.

Is it because the Clones were that good or that EIU was that bad?

[ISUKyro]

Originally Posted by cyclonelifer

It's kind of interesting that the most powerful decade in Cyclone history - the '70s - isn't going to be mentioned.

When going to a bowl meant something - ISU went four times and the best team from that decade didn't even go makes you wonder why no mention of that decade.

Is it because the Clones were that good or that EIU was that bad?

I think it may have something to do with the percentage of CF members that were either A: not alive yet, or B: too young to remember.

[jbcyclone]

I'd add in Marcus Robertson. He had a pretty good pro career as well.

[Cyclone_Grav]

too young to remember the 80's

troy davis in the 90's by far

and seneca in the 2000's

and in case you need a reminder why seneca is the best, here you go

YouTube - Seneca Wallace - "The Run"

[djkent01]

Originally Posted by ISUKyro

I think it may have something to do with the percentage of CF members that were either A: not alive yet, or B: too young to remember.

That's for another thread, but speak for yourself. My first ISU game was at Clyde Williams. But for now, lets focus on putting together a list of dominant ISU players for the time frame in question.

[Al_4_State]

Davis in the 90's
Wallace/Rosenfels/Haywood/Blythe for the 00's

[Jeremy]

Overall nobody touches Davis. Wallace was great but Davis accomplished something that barely anybody else ever has in college football. To even question his place far ahead of everybody else as the all-time greatest ISU FB Player is just blasphemous.

[cyclonedcm]

troy davis and seneca wallace

[djkent01]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Overall nobody touches Davis. Wallace was great but Davis accomplished something that barely anybody else ever has in college football. To even question his place far ahead of everybody else as the all-time greatest ISU FB Player is just blasphemous.

That's a very powerful argument. However, I believe the only ISU team ever rated in the top-10 was QB'd by Seneca Wallace. Given the ISU tradition, that's something nobody else has accomplished at ISU.

Although in the 80's, after beating Iowa and starting 5 - 0 under Quinn, the Hawks were ranked 9th and ISU 12th - something like that. Should have been top-10. I'm not a Hawk hater, but that media bias has always stuck in my craw. ISU didn't just beat Iowa, they manhandled them. 23 - 12 or 19 - 7 - can't remember the year for sure.

[SLCyclone]

Originally Posted by cyclonelifer

It's kind of interesting that the most powerful decade in Cyclone history - the '70s - isn't going to be mentioned.

When going to a bowl meant something - ISU went four times and the best team from that decade didn't even go makes you wonder why no mention of that decade.

Is it because the Clones were that good or that EIU was that bad?

The 70's (very early 70s) would have to be Matt Blair.

[cyfreddy]

Originally Posted by cyclonelifer

It's kind of interesting that the most powerful decade in Cyclone history - the '70s - isn't going to be mentioned.

When going to a bowl meant something - ISU went four times and the best team from that decade didn't even go makes you wonder why no mention of that decade.

Is it because the Clones were that good or that EIU was that bad?

Luther Blue, Tom Boskey, Stensrud Brothers ! Just naming a few from the '70s, but I have to agree with Troy Davis & Seneca Wallace were the best I have seen at ISU.

[Jeremy]

Personally I think Davis is probably even under-appreciated by Iowa State fans. Typically the players that are good when a team is winning are remembered as being far greater than players of equal or better caliber when a team isn't winning. If we had won more games when Troy Davis was playing, he probably would have won the Heisman and he'd have statues all around Ames. Since we weren't that great, he barely even gets mentioned for all that he did.

It's just the way things are, unfortunately. As far as individual performances, regardless of team success, Troy Davis is in a league of his own. I would put Troy Davis's legacy up against any other in-state college athlete's legacy and be confident his would be better individually (absent Cael of course).

[fairviewfarmer]

Based on production and Heisman trophy votes, my vote goes to Troy Davis, but Seneca is a close 2nd. Troy being here for 3 yrs. vs. Seneca's 2 yrs. also factored in for my choice.

[Mowilly]

80's
Karl Nelson AA HM OL in 82 I believe and played in Super Bowl for Giants (career ended by cancer)

Mike Busch AA TE in '89

Blaise Bryant AA HM honors in '89

Keith Sims AA honors @ OL

Dwayne Crutchfield HM AA RB in 81 and played in NFL for a few (underachieved)

John Quinn (led Big 8 in Total Offense)
Dave Archer (nice pro career)

Tracy Henderson (AA WR who was booted from team the next season for a minor infraction if I recall)

Chris Washington (LB) all-time tackle leader and nice NFL career in Tampa

Shamus McDonough All Big 8 DL
Chris Boskey All Big 8 honors (would have been better but his knees were shot)

Bruce Reimers All Big 8 OL who played in NFL for many years in Cincy

Dennis Gibson All Big 8 LB who played in Detroit and in SD in a Super Bowl game (clinched AFC title w/ a nice defensive play)

Larry Crawford (All Big 8 DB) who is one of CFL's great DB's
Alex Giffords (All Big 8 PK)
Rich Frank (All Big 8 PK)

90's

James McMillion (the eel) PR

Jeff Shudak (All Big 8 PK)
Ty Stewart (All Big 8 PK)

There were other nice guys and decent players, I just prefer to forget the 90's- Horrible time for ISU and football
The Gordon Eaton years were miserable!!!

[JonDMiller]

Go ahead and throw in the 70's, too.