‘Twas the night before football, when all through the state
Not a Cyclone was stirring, not even Rob Gray
The grills and coolers were packed up with care
Because tailgate season would soon be there
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of Seneca danced in their heads
And Mama in her ISU sweater, and I in my cap
Had just settled our brains for our last pre-season nap
All around Cyclone Nation there rose such a clatter
It was talk of bowls, and opposing team’s dreams ISU would soon shatter
Away from Welch Ave students flew like a flash
Time to rest up before the student section’s mad dash
There was much tailgating to do before that though
You see it’s a night game and parties are one thing Cyclone fans know
The lots were still before the fans would appear
In their RVs and trucks ready to cheer
All knew in a moment kickoff would come quick
Brian Peavy was ready to get his fourth career pick
More rapid than Sooners Coach Campbell’s players came
He whistled and shouted and called them by name
“Now! Jacob, now! Joel, now! Kamari and Jake,
“On! Allen, on! Willie, on! David and Chase;
“From Sukup to Jake let’s move the ball
“Now look to Coach Manning and get the right call!”
As many a Cyclone before ever did try
A winning season may come, the time might be right
So up to Jack Trice the fans they flew
With cars full of alcohol — oh, and kids too:
And then from the stadium came such a sound
The sirens were sounding over the manicured ground
A Mike Warren touchdown, they fired the cannon
The crowd was so loud it could be heard from Larch to Buchanan
Jon Heacock’s defense was flying and making tackles
Depth on the D-Line allowed for all new wrinkles
The opponent was down, their will was broken
Ghosts of Cyclones past had finally awoken
From Amundson to Troy and all in between
This was the best collection of skill players this program had seen
Tall receivers, big backs and a gunslinger with skill
They fulfilled Jack’s prophecy of “I will.”
An upset win, the fans filled the field and ever meandered
Because 2017 is time to raise the standard
