ISU’s Lazard: Series about ‘bragging rights’

AMES - Cyclone legacy Allen Lazard chose Iowa State early in the recruiting process but that didn't stop Iowa from making a late push for the high-profile Urbandale wide receiver.

'They came a little bit,” said Lazard, a sophomore, on Monday. 'They kind of laid off, I'd say, for the most part until the last few weeks when they tried to come at me to see if I'd flip at all. Obviously I didn't.”

ISU fought off Iowa, Notre Dame, Nebraska and other potential suitors for the 6-foot-5 four-star prospect before the 2014 signing date. Lazard rewarded the Cyclones as a true freshman last year with 45 catches for 593 yards and three touchdowns. He started the final 11 games, but he recalls last year's game in Iowa City as one of his most anxious.

'It was nerve-wracking to be honest,” Lazard said. 'I remember going out for that first series and I was just lining up and hearing that crowd. It was pretty loud, but it was the third game of the year so it wasn't as bad as if it was the first game. But it was fun to do and it was a great learning experience. I'm glad it was one as a Cyclone.

'It's all about bragging rights. It's all about talking trash to each other, having fun, just being able to go out and make plays.”

Lazard's father, Kevin, played as a defensive back at Iowa State from 1990-93 and served as a team captain for his senior season. He attended several Cy-Hawk games in person, such as the 2011 triple-overtime win by Iowa State, and watched others like ISU linebacker Jake Knott's interception of Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg to preserve a 9-6 win in 2012. But the moment that stands out was in the 2005 game when ISU shocked No. 8 Iowa 23-3.

'Honestly, when I was little I remembered when Iowa played here ... when (Iowa quarterback) Drew Tate threw an interception and tried to make a tackle and got knocked down out,” Lazard said. 'That was probably the biggest.”

The instate rivals lock horns for the 63rd time this Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium (3:45 p.m., FOX). Lazard said the focus quickly turned from opening opponent UNI to Iowa.

'One of our athletic trainers was wearing a ‘Beat Iowa' shirt (Monday morning),” Lazard said. 'Walked in to the weight room, everyone's already juiced up, we're already breaking down ‘Beat Iowa.'”

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