For the record: Having won at Texas on Oct. 23, Iowa State almost pulled off another marquee victory last weekend, but ninth-ranked Nebraska intercepted a pass on a fake conversion kick in overtime to edge the Cyclones 31-30 in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State (5-5, 3-3 Big 12) needs one victory to become bowl- eligible for the second straight year under coach Paul Rhoads, who obviously is not afraid to gamble.
Who’s hot: Special teams. Cyclones kicker Grant Mahoney made a career-long 57-yard field goal against Nebraska, and punter Kirby Van Der Kamp ranks third in the Big 12 with a 45.4 average.
Who’s not: ISU’s passing game. The Cyclones rank 11th in the Big 12 in pass efficiency, ahead of only Texas.
Senior QB Austen Arnaud is capable of big games. His 42 career TD passes are the second- most in school history.
Key stat: Senior tailback Alexander Robinson has rushed for a total of 366 yards on 82 carries in three games against CU, reaching 100 yards each time.
FYI: Iowa State yielded only seven Nebraska pass completions, the fewest for the Cyclones’ defense since Kansas State had six completions on Nov. 20, 2004.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
