For the second time in three years the Iowa State Cyclones will play in the Independence Bowl. ISU was invited to the December 28th game against Miami of Ohio after Texas edged out California for a berth in the Bowl Championship Series and the pecking order in the Big-12 shifted.Cyclone athletic director Bruce Van DeVelde says the Kevin Wieberg who is chair of the Big 12 and told him it looked like Texas would move up in the BCS, sending ISU to the Independence Bowl. Van DeVelde said he felt all week the Houston Bowl was their most likely destination. For the Cyclones and coach Dan McCarney it is their fourth bowl game in five years. McCarney says this is what it’s all about and he’s thrilled to go out and win one more football game.A bowl trip will be even sweeter after Iowa State finished just 2-10 in 2003 and winless in the Big-12. He says he can’t even put into words how proud he is for his kids and coaches.Defensive back Ellis Hobbs was named the Cycvlones MVP at their banquet last night and says a bowl game will be a great way to end his career. He says it’s great to know you can go out and play in a bowl game, saying it’s a relief to know they’re going. Iowa State is 6-5 and lost the 2001 Independence Bowl to Alabama. Miami of Ohio finished the regular season 8-4.
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