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.