AMES, Ia. Recall when Iowa States offense had its back near the goal line in the 2002 Cy-Hawk game in Iowa City? Remember Seneca Wallaces magic that included two third-down conversion passes to Jack Whitver? Remember the 6-minute drive that started at ISUs 25 and ended with a 38-yard field goal with 5 minutes to play? And Wallace turning a 17-point halftime deficit into a 36-31 Cyclones victory?

How about the 2002 back-and-forth touchdown against Texas Tech that many fans view as the most exciting play in Cyclones history? During The Run, a passing play that broke down, Wallace eluded one tackler after another during what officially went down as a 12-yard play, but on closer examination actually equaled 112.

"I decided to just try to make a play," Wallace said.

Now you see him, now you dont.

Familiar with the new Courtyard Marriott that just opened near Jack Trice Stadium in Ames the one that was expected to have a waiting list during football weekends?

The Houdini-like quarterback is trying to make another successful play.

Seneca Wallace celebrates his team's 36-31 win over Iowa on Sept. 14 2002.(Photo: Associated Press)

A pandemic is not exactly what Wallace and his ownership partners had in mind during the hotels planning stages, but if theres someone who knows about escaping perceived adversity its one of the greatest ever to play Iowa State football.

Wallace played professionally. Hes possibly your answer to the question, Who was Iowa States best quarterback?

He led Dan McCarney-coached teams to two bowls during his wonderful two seasons as a Cyclone, including the Independence Bowl against Alabama during a 2001 season disrupted by the 9-11 tragedy.

And now, hes trying to successfully open a hotel amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Weve got (guest) reservations, Wallace said. When you have a hotel like a Courtyard Marriott its in high demand.

The hotel, on South 17th Street, has been openless than a week. The grand opening is 11 a.m. Friday.

On Monday, the shiny lobby was crowded with guests checking out. Most of them were leaving after attending a weekend wedding.

Were just excited to get it going, after 4 years, Wallace said. Ames should be proud of what weve accomplished, bringing a hotel like this to the community.

Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace sprints in the open field as Chris Kelsay's tackle attempt fails for Nebraska in a 2002 game.(Photo: Rodney White/THe Register)

Wallaces Ames Wingstop restaurant is less than a mile away. Jack Trice Stadium is walkable from the new 120-room hotel. Hes so optimisticthat hes expecting a good number of bookings, even if the football stadium crowd is limited to 30,000 or so fans.

Theres still going to be some tailgating, Wallace said, emphasis on the word some. Fans are still going to want to gather safely. People will be coming into town. Theyre going to be social-distancing with friends. Some of them will need someplace to stay.

Assuming,of course, there is football. He knows thats the great unknown. Some conferences have scaled back schedules. Theres talk about the fall season being delayed until spring. No football?

I think were going to have a season, Wallace said. Our country needs safe sports, especially football.

What would he have done, if a pandemic struck during his college days? Would he have been enthusiastic about playing?

Heck yes, Id want to play, he said. You have to minimize contact with anyone outside of your bubble, and its going to have to happen for five months,but it can be done.

You can minimize what the players do as far as getting around in the general public, but you cant control 30,000 students. Thatll be the problem, if youre not totally dedicated to football.

If you want to play football bad enough, youll sacrifice for your own good and for the good of your teammates and coaches. You can never take your eyes off the prize especially when students come back to campus.

A lot of these kids live to play football. To take that away is hard.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been writingfor the Des Moines Register for parts of sixdecades. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete. No one covers the Cyclones like the Register. Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal to make sure you never miss a moment.

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Peterson: Former Cyclone QB great Seneca Wallace has a stake in a healthy and successful 2020 football season - Des Moines Register