COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: 21 Days

Each day leading up to Iowa State’s season opener against South Dakota State, Cyclone Fanatic will check another day off the calendar with a memorable statistic, player or game as part of our Countdown to Kickoff presented by Tailgate Clothing.

Blaise Bryant was undoubtedly one of the best Iowa State football players of the late-1980’s and he earned the distinction while wearing No. 21 and sporting one of the greatest flat-tops in human history.

Bryant, who was named an All-American following his junior season in 1989, remains third all-time in program history with 32 career touchdowns. His 31 rushing touchdowns ties with George Amundson for third in program history as well.

Bryant led the Big Eight with 1,516 yards rushing as a senior in 1990 after being named a preseason All-American by Playboy, which might be the coolest discontinued honor in the history of athletics.

The 213 rushing yards Bryant gained in his Iowa State debut vs. Ohio in 1989 was the most ever by a Big Eight running back in their first game. After his Iowa State career, Bryant was taken in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the New York Jets before going on to play four seasons in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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