But I’ve got to admit it. I began feeling some sympathy this morning for the man named Hiawatha.

He was standing in the auditorium at the Jacobson Athletic Building on the Iowa State campus, taking on far too much responsibility for Iowa State’s 2002 football problems.

"I kind of got into a mild depression after I got hurt," tailback Hiawatha Rutland explained. "We started losing and I wasn’t playing. I started blaming myself for getting hurt."

"Come on, Hiawatha. Don’t beat yourself up like that," a guy told Rutland.

"Well, I’d never been hurt before," Rutland continued. "I had played football since I was 10 years old and never missed a practice or a game because of an injury. I got kind of emotional about it."

Rutland was reflecting on the last half of Iowa State’s season. The Cyclones had gotten off to a 6-1 start and were ranked No. 9 nationally after successive victories over Kansas, Tennessee Tech, Iowa, Troy State, Nebraska and Texas Tech before the roof caved in.

Other than a 42-35 victory over Missouri on Nov. 2, the rest of the season was a nightmare. The Cyclones lost to Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas State, Colorado, Connecticut (yes, that basketball school, UConn!) and, finally, Boise State, in the Humanitarian Bowl to finish with a 7-7 record.

"I was running a sweep, slowed down to make a cut behind Lance Young, and one of their defensive linemen jumped on the back of my leg," Rutland explained.

"I didn’t miss any games after that, but I had only a limited role with the special teams. I had just one carry against Connecticut."

Rutland, a 6-foot, 202-pounder who will be a senior next fall, has won the No. 1 tailback job heading into Saturday’s spring game at Jack Trice Stadium. It’s assumed he will be the starter in the season opener Aug. 30 against Northern Iowa, but redshirt freshman Stevie Hicks and senior-to-be Michael Wagner are strong challengers for the job.

Brian Thompson, a redshirt sophomore, is another tailback with talent.

"I’d like to see the running game have a bigger role in our offense next season," Rutland said.

The 2002 season marked the first time in Dan McCarney’s eight years as Iowa State’s coach that the team didn’t have a 1,000-yard rusher. One big reason was the presence of Seneca Wallace, the quarterback who was a threat as both a passer and a runner.

Much of the offense was built around Wallace, who was in the Heisman Trophy picture until Iowa State began losing.

"Seneca was doing really well, he was a Heisman candidate and the team was playing well," Rutland said. "Then I got hurt and all of that disappeared. I felt it was my fault."

"We weren’t as effective (in the offensive line) and we were disappointed in the way we ran the ball," McCarney said. "It wasn’t (the fault of) any one running back."

Asked if he’s searching for a 1,000-yard back in 2003, McCarney said, "I don’t think it makes any difference. If we’d play a game tomorrow, two and maybe three backs would definitely play. It’s not that we can’t make a decision. We like all of them."

McCarney said this has been "an extremely productive spring—we know a lot more about our team."

However, he stressed that it could be the end of two-a-day practices in August before he knows who his starting quarterback will be.

Cris Love, who was Wallace’s backup last season, has a slight edge now. But Austin Flynn, a redshirt freshman, and redshirt junior Waye Terry could win the job. Terry broke the thumb on his throwing hand in practice last week, and won't be able to throw a football for the next six to eight weeks.

"I’ve never seen anything like it where a kid comes in at mid-year and becomes a starter," McCarney said.

Asked how it happened that Brant, who is from Cuba City, Wis., and starred at Dubuque Wahlert High School, happened to enroll for the spring semester, McCarney said, "I don’t know exactly who the first one was to suggest it. Marty Fine (Iowa State’s offensive line coach) and I kind of kicked it around. We planted the seed.

"Aaron was one of top high school throwers in the state, so he’s missing out on the shot put and discus this spring. But we thought he could do it here. He’s no fluke.

"I wouldn’t recommend it to every high school player, but Aaron is beyond his age in maturity. He’s an amazing young man."