J.J. Moses returns to Iowa State, recalls vivid memories

Fifteen years have passed since J.J. Moses took off on his 58-yard touchdown run on Iowa State's first play from scrimmage in 2000, but he still remembers it like it was yesterday.

And he still remembers the dream that preluded it, as well.

"Coach (Steve) Loney (ISU’s offensive coordinator) told me the day before, ‘Hey, we’re going to start the game with a reverse. We were hoping for some big yardage to start the game and set the momentum,’” Moses said in an interview with Cyclone Sidebar.

“The night before the game I had an actual experience that I saw myself scoring that touchdown, and I still remember the feeling. Sage (Rosenfels) goes back, he hands the ball back to me. I go around the corner and around the end and all I remember saying was, ‘Lord, please allow me to score this touchdown.’  I saw two big guys coming in about to tackle me close to the end zone, but I was able to kind of sneak through it. It was a gutsy call. If they stuffed us, I believe that would’ve caused the momentum to shift their way. But we were able to go ahead and score quick.”

The receiver and first-team All-Big 12 returnman was back at his alma mater on Tuesday in a different capacity. Moses is a staunch advocate for the NFL's Fuel Up to Play 60 campaign, which encourages children and adults to live healthier lifestyles.

“I’m glad to be back at my alma mater,” he said. “I’m a spokesman for the NFL Fuel up to Play 60 event, in which we encourage kids to go out and exercise at least 60 minutes out of the day and eat healthy. I’m just honored to be a part of such a great program which promotes a positive message to kids to eat healthy and to stay focused. Who knows, there might be the next J.J. Moses out there playing football!”