The 2000 Iowa State Cyclones football team represented Iowa State University as a member of the North Division in the Big 12 Conference during the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Dan McCarney, the Cyclones compiled an overall record of 9âÂÂ3 with a mark of 5âÂÂ3 in conference play, placing third in the Big 12's North Division. Iowa State was invited to the Insight.com Bowl, where the Cyclones defeated Pittsburgh. The team played home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.
This Iowa State's first winning season since 1989, and their first appearance in a bowl game since the 1978 Peach Bowl. The Insight.com Bowl victory was the programs first victory ever in bowl game. Before the season, Iowa State was picked by the media to finish fifth in the Big 12 North Division. Two players participated in postseason all-star games. Quarterback Sage Rosenfels played in the Senior Bowl, and Reggie Hayward played in the Hula Bowl, where he won the defensive MVP. Iowa State's nine victories were the most since the 1906 season.
The team's captains were Chris Anthony, Ryan Harklau, Hayward, and Rosenfels. Hayward and Rosenfels are among many former Cyclones from the 2000 team to play in the National Football League (NFL). Others were J. J. Moses Ennis Haywood, Tony Yelk, Mike Banks, Jordan Carstens, Tyson Smith and James Reed.
The Ohio game's date and time was changed from August 31 at 7 p.m. to September 2 at 11:30 a.m. The Baylor game was originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m., but was changed to 6:00 p.m. The Nebraska game was originally scheduled for kickoff at 1:00 p.m., it was changed to 2:30 p.m. to accommodate a broadcast on ABC. The Oklahoma State game was originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. but was changed to 7:00 p.m. The Missouri game time was changed from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to accommodate a Fox Sports Net cablecast. On December 3 Iowa State announced it would accept a bowl invitation from the Insight.com Bowl.
Iowa State did not receive any points in the previous AP polls until October 1, 2000. On October 1, 2000 Iowa State received 5 points ranking them T-36th overall. On October 8, 2000 Iowa State received 8 points ranking them 34th overall. On October 15, 2000 Iowa State received 19 points ranking them 29th overall. On October 22, 2000 Iowa State received 3 points ranking them 37th overall. On October 29, 2000 Iowa State received 2 points ranking them T-36th overall. On November 5, 2000 Iowa State did not receive any points. On November 12, 2000 Iowa State received 6 points ranking them 33rd overall. On November 19, 2000 Iowa State received 10 points ranking them 31st overall. On November 26, 2000 Iowa State received 25 points ranking them 30th overall. On December 3, 2000 Iowa State received 22 points ranking them 30th overall. In the final poll Iowa State was ranked 25th with 188 points.
Iowa State did not receive any points in the coaches poll until September 17, 2000. On September 17, 2000 Iowa State received 4 points ranking them T-43rd. On September 24, 2000 Iowa State received 7 points for a ranking of 39th. On October 1, 2000 Iowa State received 37 points for a ranking of 31st. On October 8, 2000 Iowa State received 22 points for a ranking of T-35th. On October 15, 2000 Iowa State received 35 points for a ranking of 29th. On October 22, 2000 Iowa State received 2 points for a ranking of T-39th. On October 29, 2000 Iowa State received 16 points for a ranking of 33rd. On November 5, 2000 Iowa State did not receive any points in the poll. On November 12, 2000 Iowa State received 14 points for a ranking of 34th. On November 19, 2000 Iowa State received 14 points for a ranking of T-31st. On November 26, 2000 Iowa State received 28 points for a ranking of 30th. On December 3, 2000 Iowa State received 29 points for a ranking of 30th. On January 4, 2001 in the final poll of the year Iowa State received 225 points for a ranking of 23rd.
Iowa State was never ranked in the BCS poll.
On June 30, 2000 FB Robert Lewis was dismissed from the team for violating team rules.
List of signees.
Depth chart
Note: No= Number; Name = Name; Pos = Position; Ht = Height; Wt = Weight; Yr = Year; Hometown = Hometown; * = Letter earned; <small><sup>C</sup></small> = Captain
Note: Att= Attempts; Cmp= Completions; PCT= Percent; Yds = Yards; Tds = Touchdowns; Int = Interceptions
Note: Att= Attempts; Yds = Yards; AVG = Average; Tds = Touchdowns
Note: Rec= Receptions; Yds = Yards; AVG = Average; Tds = Touchdowns
Note: TDs = Touchdowns; Rush = Rushing; Rec = Receiving; Ret = Return; PTS = Points
Note: Pat = Point after touchdown; FG = Field goal; PTS = Points
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