The head was on a swivel, but the field was too crowded with people. That was the recollection of Texas Tech coach Mike Leach when asked if he sought out Nick Reid and personally shared his appreciation for how the Kansas linebacker played football.

MU blasts away in second half, tops Cyclones in home finale. Photo by Nick King MU's Danario Alexander carries out the senior tradition of taking away a rock from the "M" beyond the north end zone at Memorial Stadium after the Tigers' 34-24 victory Saturday.

Danario Alexander reached double digits in receptions for the third straight game and Jerrell Jackson had a career day, helping Missouri end a three-game home losing streak in a 34-24 victory over Iowa State on Saturday.

Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud is hit by Missouri's Will Ebner as he throws a pass Saturday in Columbia, Mo.

Now that Mizzou has broken free of its second-half shackles, the Tigers will try today against Iowa State to shrug off another characteristic that has hindered them - the inability to play to their capability in back-to-back games.

Iowa State defensive end Christopher Lyle grabbed the face mask of Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert in the first half during the University of Missouri and Iowa State University football game on Faurot Field in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov 21, 2009, in Columbia, Missouri.

Alexander Robinson will pay little attention to one of Iowa State's subplots in Saturday's 1 p.m. football game at Missouri.

Paul Rhoads met one of his role models, Bud Grant, last June at a fundraiser in Decorah.

Sure, it helped that the Iowa State football team took care of business Saturday with a 17-10 victory over Colorado to move to 6-5 on the season.

From 1991 to 2000 the Big 8 champion or Big 12 North champion was always either Nebraska or Kansas State.

The transformation of Iowa State's defense has been startling over the last several months.

Paul Rhoads not only is one of the best first-year coaches in Iowa State football history, he also can predict the future.

Rodney Stewart is entering new territory today. The Colorado sophomore running back didn't get to play beyond the ninth game of the season during a strong freshman campaign a year ago because he broke his leg at Texas A&M in the first week of November.

Iowa State and Colorado enter Saturday's game hoping to set some milestones. The Cyclones are trying to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2005, something few thought possible in the first season under coach Paul Rhoads .

Ames, Ia. - Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads accepted at least part of the blame for another round of Cyclone offensive ineptitude Saturday afternoon at Jack Trice Stadium.

Texas A&M's Von Miller, his motor on the verge of overheating, leaped over an astonished Iowa State offensive lineman and blocked a field-goal attempt a week ago.

Ames, Ia. - Now that Iowa State has its offensive playmakers back from injuries, the here-one-day, gone-the-next bubble screen pass might return to the script, too.

Iowa State center Reggie Stephens has accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine football game Jan.

Which side of the ball needs more help right now, Iowa State's offense or defense? Both are struggling and are in need of a serious spark following Saturday's 34-8 home loss to No.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin There was some concern coming into Oklahoma State's game against Iowa State of how the Cowboys would respond to last week's loss to Texas.