Receiver Medders steps up for ISU

AMES - When Brett Medders stepped foot on the bus to head back to Ames after last Saturday's Cy-Hawk game, he let all of his emotions out.

He just had to.

It hasn't been the easiest road for the junior wide receiver to find his way onto the field for the Cyclones, but it sure was worth it after what he was able to contribute. Medders grabbed three passes for 27 yards, with a long of 14 yards.

Medders' name was called on after receivers Jarvis West and P.J. Harris were sidelined for the day with injuries. He made the most of the opportunity despite his nerves.

'That first catch I made on the corner route, I was a little nervous but in the air, it's just kind of like practice,” he said. 'Just 75,000 people in the stands is the only difference.

'It felt good to get out there.”

All of Medders' catches came in the second half with his third grab on a third-and-5 that catch saved the ISU drive that eventually led to Cole Netten's game-winning 42-yard field goal.

Junior quarterback Sam Richardson recalled his own experience when he thought about how Medders played in his first substantial minutes. He said it's hard to always be confident in yourself when you first get on the field, but Medders proved he can be a reliable target, especially in situations where starters are injured.

'He made the plays,” Richardson said. 'He's much more confident and with his confidence, we get more confident.

'It's not something where we're worried he's out there one bit. He's a guy that's going to get his job done and get open and he's going to catch the ball. I was pretty pumped for him to make those catches.”

Medders admitted it wasn't always any easy path to finding playing time. He was ruled academically ineligible two seasons ago and, after a meeting with Coach Paul Rhoads, knew something had to change. He said he brought his grade-point average up by .7 points, and credits buckling down in the classroom and study hall to where he is today.

Rhoads has noticed a big change, too.

'He's grown up. He's really matured mentally and with that, the physical tools have come along,” Rhoads said. 'You could always see the raw tools, but when he's made some decisions in his life to move forward with everything he does (so) in a positive fashion, it's really developed fast physically.”

The Westlake Village, Calif., native, also has been able to spend time in Ames with his sister, Lyndsey (Medders) Fennelly, a former standout point guard for the Cyclones. The relationship he has with her, and the growth he has made within himself, led him to where he is now.

At the end, though, all he wants to do is what is best for the team.

'I don't care if I catch a million balls or zero balls,” Medders said. 'I just care about the win and do whatever I can for that to happen.”

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