Getting to Know Iowa State

When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ames, Iowa
TV: ABC
Radio: 1110 AM KFAB

Last time out
Iowa State snapped a five-game losing streak against Kansas with a 28-16 win Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. The Cyclones scored 21 points in the third quarter to rebound after a lackluster start in the wake of their 28-21 road win over Texas a week earlier. ISU struggled offensively in the first half, scoring its only points on a 62-yard Josh Lenz punt return late in the second quarter. But quarterback Austen Arnaud directed a 74-yard drive early in the third quarter to retake the lead. ISU then drove 89 yards to make it a 12-point game and added a final TD on Shontrelle Johnson's 33-yard touchdown run. With the win, Iowa State, at 5-4, is one victory from gaining bowl eligibility for a second straight season under second-year coach Paul Rhoads.

Remembering 2009
Nebraska will, no doubt, receive a few reminders this week of Iowa State's visit to Lincoln a year ago. The heavy-underdog Cyclones forced eight turnovers and did not give it away once, winning 9-7 without the services of the veteran Arnaud. In his place, freshman Jerome Tiller managed a nice game and connected with Jake Williams for a 47-yard TD pass in the second quarter to provide nearly all of the offense ISU needed. Depending on the health of Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez, who suffered a leg injury Saturday and did not play in the second half against Missouri, backup Zac Lee may get a shot to redeem himself against the Cyclones. Lee threw three interceptions a year ago in a performance that led to his benching a week later, though he was far from the lone culprit. NU also lost five fumbles.


Statistically speaking
Arnaud, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound QB, accurately represents his team. The fifth-year senior out of Ames has done nothing so well this year that it jumps off the stat sheet. Nevertheless, he's solid in enough areas to pose a real threat. Arnaud's production as a three-year starter rates him among the best in ISU history. This year, he's completing 57.4 percent of his passes for 151.6 yards per game with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Arnaud has also rushed for 250 yards. Not impressed? Don't let it fool you; he's effective, much like the Cyclones, who allowed 120 points in consecutive October losses at home to Utah and Oklahoma but came back to beat Texas and KU. ISU ranks no higher than 52nd in any major offensive or defensive statistical category, including 102nd out of 120 teams in total defense, 104th in passing offense, 98th in total offense, 99th in rushing defense and 88th in scoring defense. Somehow, though, the Cyclones get it done.


The series
Nebraska and Iowa State have played every year since 1926, and it's been largely one-sided. Iowa State hasn't beaten the Huskers in consecutive seasons since 1976 and '77. The Cyclones have won three straight over NU just once, from 1943 to '45. But Iowa State has experienced moderate success this decade, winning three of the past eight games. The victory in Lincoln last year marked the Cyclones' first since 1977. Of course, this is it for the series — at least as conference foes, with the Huskers headed to the Big Ten next season. Most memorable for Iowa State? Nothing tops the Cyclones' 1992 victory, 19-10 in Ames. Interestingly, that landmark upset came after Nebraska defeated ranked foes in back-to-back weeks. The Huskers also started a freshman quarterback 18 years ago, Tommie Frazier, who suffered the only regular-season loss of his four-year career on that November afternoon.