Des Moines Register
09-15-07
Culbertson kick-starts ISU party
BY ANDREW LOGUE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Ames, Ia. -- Bret Culbertson found peace.
While a crowd 49,516 held its breath Saturday afternoon, Iowa State's senior
kicker was preparing to shed his past.
"I just did what I do," Culbertson said after lifting the Cyclones to a 15-13 victory
over Iowa. "There was a little pressure, but I was calm." Culbertson was clutch.
The senior from Des Moines converted 5-of-6 field goals, including the 28-yard
clincher with 1 second remaining.
He also won a sprint to the Hawkeye sideline, where Culbertson grabbed the CyHawk Trophy and hoisted it into the air.
"I never doubted him," offensive lineman Tom Schmeling said of Culbertson. "I
never have and I never will."
Iowa State fans who cringed when Culbertson missed defining kicks against
Missouri in 2004 and Kansas in 2005 stormed the field at Jack Trice Stadium –
twice.
Several poured into the end zone after Culbertson drilled the ball through the
north goal post, only to be ushered back into the stands.
Iowa's Derrell Johnson-Koulianos returned the ensuing kickoff to the Cyclones'
25-yard line before Michael Bibbs made the final tackle.
That's when the real celebration began.
"A lot of people in the locker room are still crying," receiver R.J. Sumrall said.
"We needed this, just to get it rolling." The Cyclones stumbled against Kent State
and Northern Iowa the previous two weeks, and faced Iowa as a 17 1/2-point
underdog.
New coach Gene Chizik remained undaunted.
"This win is for the Iowa State people, and for the players," Chizik said. "They
hung through a lot of criticism.
"It's so good to see those kids smile."
Chizik's first coaching triumph was among the most dramatic in school history.
It's just the second time since World War II the Cyclones won a game with less
than 2 seconds remaining. The other came Oct. 8, 1983, when Marc Bachrodt's
47-yard field goal beat Kansas 38-35.
"We showed a lot of resilience," Iowa State quarterback Bret Meyer said. "We
didn't listen to the negative stuff." The Hawkeyes, meanwhile, will try to regroup
as they prepare for this week's Big Ten Conference opener at Wisconsin.
"It's disappointing," Iowa receiver Andy Brodell said. "We came in with high
expectations and didn't play well." The Hawkeyes nearly escaped the upset when
Austin Signor's 41-yard field goal gave them a 13-12 lead with 3:38 left.
Meyer responded by orchestrating a 7-play, 56-yard drive. He finished 21-of-29
passing for 157 yards, setting up Culbertson's kick with a 38-yard toss to Phillip
Bates.
"Bret told me to make a play, and that's what I did," Bates said. "They called my
number and I had to make a play." Chizik called two running plays, then turned to
Culbertson.
"I think Culbertson is very representative of their football team," Iowa coach Kirk
Ferentz said. "He bounced back, and it's indicative of the way the (Cyclones)
played." Culbertson had been 0-for-3 on the season. His one miss against the
Hawkeyes came from 47 yards, early in the fourth quarter.
"Couldn't have happened at a better time," Chizik said of Culbertson's
performance. "Couldn't have happened to a better kid." Culbertson talked about
growing up.
His wife Kristina is expecting a baby in April. He shared Saturday's glory with an
uncle and young cousin.
Recalling the encounter during postgame interviews brought Culbertson to tears.
"It's like the big payoff," Culbertson said. "But I honestly would like teammates
and fans to just remember me for who I am, not necessarily what I do on the
field."
Reporter Andrew Loguecan be reached at (515) 284-8368or alogue@dmreg.com