Iowa State runs free at Independence Bowl

SHREVEPORT, La. -- Stevie Hicks and quarterback Bret Meyer each had more than 100 yards in a revived running game that carried Iowa State to a 17-13 victory over Miami of Ohio in the Independence Bowl on Tuesday night.

Meyer's weaving 23-yard run set up the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter and Iowa State (7-5) held on to win a bowl game for just the second time and spoil Terry Hoeppner's final game as Miami's coach.

Hoeppner was named Indiana's coach earlier this month. Miami athletic director Brad Bates told the team just before the game that offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery would succeed Hoeppner.

If the timing of that announcement was meant to inspire the RedHawks (8-5), it didn't do so right away. Miami fell behind 10-0 before rallying to a 13-10 lead in the third quarter.

But the Cyclones, who were averaging just 128 yards a game rushing, kept pounding away at the Miami defensive front and finally regained the lead on Ryan Kock's 1-yard plunge with 13:02 left. Ellis Hobbs sealed the victory by intercepting Josh Betts in the final minute.

Hicks carried 27 times for 159 yards and scored on a 4-yard option pitch from Meyer, who had 122 yards on 23 carries. Meyer also was 10-of-28 for 114 yards passing.

It was the first time in the 29-year history of the Independence Bowl that two players on the same team rushed for more than 100 yards. The Cyclones finished with 295 yards on the ground, a school record for a bowl game.

The victory helped ease the sting of Iowa State's 14-13 loss to Alabama in this game in 2001. ISU's Tony Yelk missed a 47-yard field goal attempt in the final minute of that game, a kick that the Cyclones insist to this day was good.

Betts kept Miami moving at times, but once Iowa State got its running game revved up, the RedHawks couldn't keep the Cyclones off the field.

Betts' 28-yard touchdown pass to Luke Clemens with 25 seconds left in the first half cut the lead to 10-7 and the RedHawks carried that momentum into the first possession of the second half, driving 80 yards in 11 plays to take the lead on Mike Smith's 2-yard run.

Iowa State helped Miami on both scoring drives with penalties. A personal foul on Tim Dobbins put the RedHawks in position for their first touchdown. On their second drive, they got first downs on two pass interference penalties and a holding penalty when they had been forced to punt.

Betts finished 20-of-44 for 240 yards and the one interception.

Miami's Michael Larkin caught two passes to extend his NCAA record to 50 straight games with a reception.