|
The school's most prolific receiver, Blythe not only set the Cyclones' career touchdown receiving record (31), he more than doubled the previous mark of 15 first set by Keith Krepfle (1971-73) and matched by Ed Williams (1994-97). He became just the fifth player in Big 12 Conference annals to amass more than 30 touchdown catches in his career, finishing tied for third on the league's all-time record list.
Blythe also became the sixth player in conference history to gain more than 3,000 yards receiving in a career, placing fourth on the Big 12 all-time record list while setting the school mark with 3,096 yards. His 176 receptions broke the previous ISU all-time record of 163 catches by Lane Danielsen (2000-03).
At Indianola High School, Blythe was named Class 4A Player of the Year by the Iowa Coaches Association, adding elite All-State, Class 4A All-State and All-Conference first-team honors as a receiver during his senior year. He added All-County accolades on offense and defense and was selected All-County Player of the Year as a senior and junior.
Blythe was chosen Class 4A All-State and All-Conference at defensive back as a junior and was an All-Conference receiver as a junior and sophomore. He had 150 catches for 2,222 yards and 25 touchdowns in three years. He also tallied 13 career interceptions from his defensive back position.
Blythe also participated in basketball and track. He averaged 11.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and three blocked shots per game during his senior season and led the Central Division of the CIML in rebounding. He was a member of Indianola's 2001 Class 4A championship basketball team and was a four-time participant at the Drake Relays and the Iowa Boys' State Track Meet, finishing fifth in the 400 and 200 meters as a senior. He added Academic All-Conference honors in football, basketball and track, and was a National Honor Society member.
Blythe red-shirted at Iowa State in 2003. He took over split end duties, going on to start all 45 games during his ISU career. He set a school single-season record with nine touchdown catches, coming up with 39 receptions for 833 yards (21.4 avg). He also blocked a punt, returning the ball 24 yards.
As a sophomore, Blythe missed most of spring drills after suffering a knee anterior cruciate ligament sprain that would sideline him for more than four months. He earned All-Big 12 Conference honors, as he became the third player in school history to gain more than 1,000 yards receiving in a season, catching 51 passes (19.6 avg) with nine scores.
A bout with Epstein-Barr virus sidelined Blythe for three late-season games in 2006, as he was limited to 484 yards on 34 catches (14.2 avg), but scored eight times. As a senior, he managed to grab a career-high 52 passes for 779 yards (15.0 avg) and five touchdowns. He also completed a pass for 21 yards and posted three tackles (2 solos).
Blythe started all 45 games he played in for Iowa State. He holds all of the school career receiving records, having snared 176 passes for 3,096 yards (17.59 avg) and 31 touchdowns. He scored 186 points, gained 24 yards on three punt returns, 6 yards on a reverse and 21 yards on a pass completion. On special teams, he recorded five tackles (4 solos) and blocked a punt.
|