Nov 10, 2018; Ames, IA, USA; Baylor Bears running back JaMycal Hasty (6) is tackled by Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Mike Rose (23) and defensive back Braxton Lewis (33) at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
ORLANDO, Fla. — Mike Rose has seen only one clip of his grandfather playing football.
It is not a very long clip and, technically, his grandfather was not actually playing football, but at least wearing a football uniform. The video is from Nov. 16, 1957, the day Notre Dame upset No. 2 Oklahoma to break the Sooners’ still-standing record of 47-consecutive victories.
Chuck Lima, Rose’s grandfather, was a senior for the Fighting Irish winding down a collegiate career in which he played both fullback and linebacker. As previously mentioned, the video was not of Lima playing, but it was of him sprinting onto the field following the Irish’s monumental 7-0 victory in Norman.
On Saturday, Lima will get the opportunity to watch his grandson take the field against his alma mater when the sophomore linebacker helps lead Iowa State up against No. 14 Notre Dame in the Camping World Bowl.
“I watched Notre Dame a ton growing up. My Grandpa was always like my idol and the person who made me want to play college football,” Rose said prior to the Cyclones’ practice on Wednesday. “Playing Notre Dame is definitely pretty special to me.”
Rose said he remains especially close to his grandpa, helped largely by the fact Lima lives with the family in Brecksville, Ohio. When the two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection goes back home, he is quickly greeted by his grandfather, who asks how Rose is dealing with the grind of college football and being a student in Ames.
He will also ask about Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell and linebackers coach Tyson Veidt, which is part of a relationship that dates back to Rose’s recruiting process.
“When they came for my in-home visit, he was there,” Rose said. “He had a blast talking to them.”
When asked if anyone had ever drawn comparisons between Rose and his grandfather on the gridiron, he smiled before noting it was a long time ago and the only person who had ever seen them both play is Lima himself.
He said he can assume his grandfather had a nose for the football, though. That is an easy conclusion to come to and something that must run in the family considering Rose has compiled 144 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during the first 25 games of his college career.
After bursting onto the scene to earn first-team Freshman All-American honors last season at the Mike linebacker spot, Rose made an unselfish move to the outside and the Sam linebacker in order to get redshirt sophomore O’Rien Vance an opportunity on the field.
Vance has flourished, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 honors of his own, while Rose has hardly skipped a beat recording 69 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. That nose for the football must run in the family.
“I didn’t really second guess it. Wherever the coaches wanted me to be, I was going to do it. It’s been good this year,” Rose said. “I think it’s helped our defense getting OV in there and getting some experience out there at Sam. Overall, I think it’s helped the team. To me, it’s just you’ve got to do what’s best for the team and don’t second guess it.”
That’s a quote a grandfather can be proud of — even if your grandson will be trying to beat your alma mater in just a few short days.
