WILLIAMS BLOG: Cyclone Nation left its mark on Lawrence

Nov 3, 2018; Lawrence, KS, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Tarique Milton (14) stiff arms Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Drew Harvey (33) in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a game that Iowa State was supposed to win, but the surging Cyclones were greatly aided by one of the most passionate fan bases in college sports in Saturday’s 27-3 thumping of Kansas.

Just ask the Jayhawks.

“It was definitely an Iowa State home game,” said Kansas senior linebacker Joe Dineen. “I understand our record and stuff like that is not what it should be, but no matter what the reason is I know for me personally and for everyone else on the team, we bust our ass every offseason and every practice and stuff just like everyone does. And then we come out here and, I mean there’s more Iowa State fans. It’s disheartening for sure.”

It’s actually really sad to read that. Kansas’ players aren’t trying to lose. Heck, they just beat Gary Patterson and TCU – a team Iowa State lost to this season – last week.

But this is an Iowa State blog and wow! That’s one heck of a compliment for Iowa State’s fans. You guys were so impactful on Saturday that the opposition called out its own fan base.

I’ve never seen that before, but am not surprised that the Cyclone Nation made it happen.

“Our fans are the best in the country,” said Cyclone safety Greg Eisworth after the game. “For them to travel like they did, it means the world to us.”

According to multiple reports on Twitter, a “Cyclone Power” chant was drowning out the Kansas band late in the fourth quarter.

For what it’s worth, Kansas head coach David Beaty may or may not be getting fired on Sunday. If you’re into that story, click here for full details.