Robinson reaches a milestone

AMES – Alexander Robinson has never shown much concern for his own statistics in three seasons as Iowa State's starting tailback.

But his mission this fall was clear: become the first Cyclone in five years to rush for 1,000 yards. With 138 yards in ISU's 17-10 victory over Colorado, Robinson did just that. The junior goes into next Saturday's 1 p.m. regular-season finale at Missouri with 1,002 yards.

“A-Rob has been talking about it forever,” quarterback Austen Arnaud said. “He finally got it. He goes about his business pretty humbly, but this is one of those things he wanted to do.”

The 5-foot-9, 187-pound junior has had this goal in mind since a phone conversation with Paul Rhoads before the coach was even introduced at ISU.

“He asked me, ‘Are you ready to run for 1,000 yards?'” Robinson said. “I told him, ‘I'm ready to go.'”

Robinson's earned everything he's gotten, playing much of the season with a strained groin.

He missed one game and parts of two others because of the injury. The Colorado game was Robinson's first in a while playing without a protective wrap or brace.

The burst he showed early in the season on his runs looked to be back.

“I'm close,” Robinson said. “The training staff has done a great job trying to get me back. I've lost sleep. They've lost sleep. But it has paid off.”

Stevie Hicks was the last Cyclone runner to top 1,000 yards, gaining 1,062 in 2004.

Robinson reached the mark on his final carry of the game, late in the fourth quarter as ISU (6-5, 3-4 Big 12) was running out the clock. He finished with a career-high 30 carries

It was Robinson's fifth 100-yard game of the season. He should contend for first-team all-Big 12 honors.

“I've got to give a lot of credit to my offensive line and the training staff for getting me back,” Robinson said.

Center Reggie Stephens said Robinson's career year is a tribute to his work ethic.

“He deserves to be a 1,000-yard back,” Stephens said. “He put a lot of work in during the off-season. He does all the extra things and little things. We finally kept him healthy long enough for him to do that."

By Eric Petersen, correspondent