Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On November 14, 1992, the “Marv Seiler Miracle” lifted Iowa State over Nebraska for the first time since 1977. In a 19-10 home win, the Cyclones upset the seventh-ranked Huskers when quarterback Marv Seiler scrambled for 78 yards to seal the game for Iowa State.
Iowa State entered the game with a team in disarray. Just 3-6, the Cyclones struggled to settle on a starting quarterback after Bobby Utter went down for the season after sustaining two concussions. Splitting time between seldom-used fifth-year senior Marv Seiler and junior college transfer Donnie Smith in a 22-13 loss to Kansas State the week prior, coach Jim Welden announced Seiler as the starter as the Cyclones prepared to face Nebraska.
“The Big Red Machine” rolled into Ames after beating eighth-ranked Colorado 52-7 and thirteenth-ranked Kansas 49-7 in the two weeks prior. Riding the arm of quarterback Tommie Frazier and the dynamic running back duo of Derek Brown and Calvin Jones, the Huskers looked to ruin senior day for the Cyclones. Seiler, known as a steady backup lacking overpowering speed or athleticism, prepared to take the start against the vaunted “Black Shirt Defense.” “He had a great handle on his limitations as a quarterback,” Walden said.
Iowa State took an early lead and narrowly held it going into the half, leading the Huskers 12-10. The Iowa State defense held strong against the powerful Nebraska attack, allowing the Cyclones to hang tough in a battle for field possession across the third quarter. With the score still standing at 12-10 as the fourth quarter dawned, the Cyclones took over first and ten at their own 20. Seiler optioned right, cut up field, and found a wide-open field in front of him. Scampering for 78 yards, Sieler finally succumbed to the Nebraska defense at the Husker two-yard line. Chris Ulrich went over the top on the next play, sealing a 19-10 victory for the Cyclones. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar