Des Moines Register
09-16-07
ISU wins by a toe
Culbertson's field goals give Cyclones upset win
By ANDREW LOGUE
Register Staff Writer
Ames, Ia. - Bret Culbertson found peace.
While a crowd of 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 former walk-on from Des Moines Lincoln converted five of six field goal attempts, including the 28-yard clincher with 1 second remaining.
He also won a sprint to the Hawkeye sideline, where Culbertson grabbed the Cy-
Hawk 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 uprights, 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-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 that the Cyclones won a game with less than 2 seconds left. The other came Oct. 8, 1983, when Marc Bachrodt's 47yard 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 Iowa a 13-12 lead with 3:38 left to play.
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.
He went on to tie the Cyclones' all-time record for field goals in a game, and had three touchbacks on kickoffs.

"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 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 Logue can be reached at (515) 284-8368 or alogue@dmreg.com