20 Years Ago Today...Seneca Run

[CtownCyclone]

It was a cool play but my goodness do we love bringing this up at any and every opportunity

So about a month ago, I was talking to a paving contractor to fix one of our parking lots down in Sweet Home Alabama and was wearing an ISU polo. Guy sees the logo and says, "Iowa State, right? Man, I remember that quarterback that you had that was super fast and had that one play where he ran all over the field and scored a touchdown. That guy was awesome."

So more people than Cyclones fans remember that play.

 

[CRCySpy]

The best part about being there live was that everybody in the building and on the field could see the Wagner blind-side block coming...except for the poor dude that got wiped out by it.

Crazy how that block would be flagged in today's game.

 

[cyclones500]

If ISU were a brand this play would be replayed quite often in a list of top plays, maybe ever.

It would get higher rank/memory if (1) program had more historic brand (2) Occurred in a matchup with higher profile -- status of each team/impact of specific game/national interest.

 

[KidSilverhair]

The Play, Kordell Hail Mary, Flutie Hail Mary, Bluegrass Miracle (LSU vs Kentucky), Boise State Statue of Liberty, Crabtree Catch vs Texas, Vince Young run vs USC.

And those are just off the top of my head.

Auburn’s Kick Six has to be in there, too. I don’t remember the details but I remember there were like three crazy finishes at practically the same time that day in college football - just couldn’t tear myself away from the TV.

 

[CyGuy5]

It’s crazy/too bad to think this play would be called back for a illegal blindside block today

Apparently I was on the SE hillside but I was 1 year old so have no recollection of it

 

[Cyclonefan710]

Name 5 better plays

Are you being serious? Lol I know people like to get excited about that play but had no idea anyone viewed it as a historically great play nationally. I’m guessing that wouldn’t make Michael Vicks top 5 at VT

 

[CyJack13]

Are you being serious? Lol I know people like to get excited about that play but had no idea anyone viewed it as a historically great play nationally. I’m guessing that wouldn’t make Michael Vicks top 5 at VT

Ok name a specific Mike Vick VT play that was better off the top of your head…

 

[Cyclonefan710]

Ok name a specific Mike Vick VT play that was better off the top of your head…

Lol I’m not even going to try an debate with someone who thinks it’s a top 5 play in college football history. Meaningless game in a meaningless season against a bad team where he makes a couple miss and runs away from a few others. It’s a unique play given the yardage he ran such a short play but nationally historic? Yikes.

 

[NorthCyd]

Why do we have to get in a stupid argument about it's place in football history. It's iconic in ISU history. Up their with Marv Seilers run or Fizers dunk over Mihm or whatever other play people want to mention for best ever. Point is it's on most people's mount Rushmore of ISU plays. Any fan of ISU should be able to appreciate that.

 

[JUKEBOX]

We should do a throwback game against Tech at home this year and bring out the bird in the blender + dog bone jerseys to commemorate the anniversary of "The Run."

 

[Farnsworth]

So basically this thread is "Hey Farnsy, it's been 20 years since you were a wide eyed Freshman at Iowa State enjoying the **** out of life!"

 

[AllInForISU]

Ok name a specific Mike Vick VT play that was better off the top of your head…

That’s kinds of the point. If you ask a VT can they probably could name a Vick play off the top of their head just like an Iowa State fan remembers the run. ISU fans call it “The Run” but if you google that, Seneca isn’t even on the radar. Say if you type in “The Play” or “Kick Six” the first thing that comes up are those plays. I’m not saying it wasn’t a great play, but top 5 all time play in college football? Nationally, no.

 

[JUKEBOX]

That’s kinds of the point. If you ask a VT can they probably could name a Vick play off the top of their head just like an Iowa State fan remembers the run. ISU fans call it “The Run” but if you google that, Seneca isn’t even on the radar. Say if you type in “The Play” or “Kick Six” the first thing that comes up are those plays. I’m not saying it wasn’t a great play, but top 5 all time play in college football? Nationally, no.

I mean it makes compilations for the "Best QB Runs in College Football History," so I think it is something on the national radar.

 

[AlaCyclone]

Are you being serious? Lol I know people like to get excited about that play but had no idea anyone viewed it as a historically great play nationally. I’m guessing that wouldn’t make Michael Vicks top 5 at VT

The Seneca Run was super incredible! Love seeing it from time to time. However, to your point, Michael Vick was one othe two most exciting players I have ever seen in person. I saw him play in the 2001 Gator Bowl vs. Clemson. He is one of the two most exciting players I have EVER seen play in person. The other was Reggie Bush (2004 @ UCLA). FWIW, I've been going to CFB games since 1971, and I have seen plenty of Heisman Winners ranging from Pat Sullivan in 1971 to Bryce Young in 2022. Michael Vick was all of dat and more!

 

[AllInForISU]

I mean it makes compilations for the "Best QB Runs in College Football History," so I think it is something on the national radar.

My point was it is not a top 5 play of all time on a national level. It was a great play and probably in the top 25, especially for runs, but it’s not going to be one of the top 5 plays someone mentions in the history of college football unless they are from Iowa.

 

[NWICY]

LOL at CFs ability to take a great cyclone memory and turn it into a pissing contest.

 

[NorthCyd]

In an effort to get past the stupid debate and just appreciate a great play in Cyclone history, here's a great piece they put together with Pete's call and the following discussion plus a few other plays by Seneca. I was in the stands that night and I remember that moment vividly. Felt like we were on top of the world if only for a moment. Still the hardest I have partied after a game ever. Stayed in one of the grass lots partying and having a blast till early morning. The crowd was wild that night and these were the formative years of what Jack Trice has become today.

 

[CyJack13]

Lol I’m not even going to try an debate with someone who thinks it’s a top 5 play in college football history. Meaningless game in a meaningless season against a bad team where he makes a couple miss and runs away from a few others. It’s a unique play given the yardage he ran such a short play but nationally historic? Yikes.

So you can't name a specific Mike Vick play, not one. Way to prove my point.

 

[cytor]

Hmmm. That made me review the 2002 results. 2 of last five were not ranked. MO and Connecticut (what a great day that was). Beginning with the Oklahoma disaster on prime national TV... when we played ranked opponents we were outscored 63 to 203.
That was one colossal collapse concluding with a loss in the Smurph Bowl.

That OU beat down threw ISU into a tailspin for the rest of the season. A bad day all around.

 

[cytor]

It's one of the most ridiculous 5-week sequences ever.

at #2 Oklahoma
at #7 Texas
vs Missouri
at #12 Kansas State (N)
at #17 Colorado (N)

It would take about 4 or 5 seasons for the Hoks to play that many ranked opponents.