AMES (MCT) — Ernst Brun Jr. was just another face in the crowd trying to get on the game day field when Iowa State opened the 2012 football season.

The junior college transfer from Mt. Sac Community College (Calif.) and native of Stone Mountain, Ga., was listed as co-second team with Ricky Howard on a preseason depth chart behind Kurt Hammerschmidt.

As the Cyclones (4-2 overall, 1-2 Big 12) get set to travel to Stillwater, Okla., for Saturday’s 11 a.m. tilt with Oklahoma State (3-2, 1-1), Brun figures to play a prominent role in ISU’s offensive attack. There is a good reason for it.