In the final moments of Saturday’s game, Iowa State’s Jesse Smith intercepted a pass from Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee, sealing the Cornhuskers’ fate and capping off his tremendous day in the Cyclones’ 9–7 win.

Smith’s 12 tackles earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors, as well as garnering national attention in the form of the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week award.

“Jesse Smith is a tremendous football player,” coach Paul Rhoads said at his press conference Monday morning. “He’s got explosive physical assets and he understands how to play linebacker.”

Smith didn’t just lead the Cyclones in tackling in the win Saturday, though. The senior from Altoona also had two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a pass deflection and the game-sealing interception.

The linebacker always seemed to be around the ball, especially in the first half when he made 10 of his 12 tackles.

“Being named Big 12 Player of the Week and Walter Camp National Player of the Week are certainly honors that he’s earned,” Rhoads said. “He’s a better athlete than some of you might expect.”

Through the Cyclones’ eight games this season, Smith is leading the Big 12 with 10.9 tackles per game, also good for ninth nationally.

Smith entered the 2009 season as the Cyclones’ lone proven defensive performer aside from safety James Smith. His 87 tackles are a career high — surpassing his total of 84 from 2008 — and he has 35 more tackles than his next highest teammate.

“I always have respect for him,” said junior safety David Sims. “He’s like a machine, that’s basically it. He’s just a baller.”

Brandtner honored, too — ISU punter Mike Brandtner was also honored by the Big 12 after the team’s win against Nebraska. The senior was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the game, which included five punts ending up inside the 20-yard line, a 40-yard average on his nine kicks and a 20-yard run on a fake punt in the second quarter.

“We’re blessed to have an NFL talent on our football team,” Rhoads said. “Our punting unit continues to do a good job. You’ve got to have 11 guys out there doing their job, but it starts with the punter.”

Led by Brandtner, the Cyclones are sixth nationally in net punting average, getting 40.7 yards per kick.

The ISU coaching staff caught the Nebraska special teams off guard late in the first half with the fake call, one Brandtner said they had practiced several times throughout the week. The punter was Iowa State’s leading rusher at halftime of the game with 20 yards.

Although Brandtner had a solid game against the Cornhuskers, he still thought there was room for improvement on his kicking game, in particular two punts in the third quarter of 33 and 19 yards.

“Being consistent is what I always talk about, but I didn’t help the defense out on those two plays,” Brandtner said. “For the most part, besides those two balls, I feel like I had a pretty decent day, but it’s all about being consistent.”

The award was the first time Brandtner has been honored by the Big 12, although he has been the starting punter since his freshman year.

“It’s a great honor to have,” Brandtner said. “I had nine punts and I think I put five inside the 20 and that’s pretty good for this team, but I did have those two balls I wish I could have back. Luckily our defense came to play and I have to credit that to them.”

Flu-like symptoms — During the win over Nebraska, several ISU players were suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Smith, Ben Lamaak and Collin Franklin were among the players sick over the weekend. Rhoads said Monday that there were between eight and 10 cases on the team over the weekend.

“What’s gone today might be back tomorrow with another whole group,” Rhoads said.

The coach confirmed Sunday that several players, including Smith and Lamaak, were held out of practice in order for them to get rest and regain their health.

However, the team has little worry about its health affecting its performance this coming weekend against Texas A&M.

“If we can go to Lincoln, Neb., and win with half the team with the flu or cold or coughs or throwing up, it’s not a big concern,” senior nose guard Nate Frere said Monday.

The team is also recovering from several injuries at key positions.

Starting quarterback Austen Arnaud and starting running back Alexander Robinson sat out through the entirety of the win against Nebraska and cornerback Ter’ran Benton broke his leg in the first half of the game.

Rhoads said both Arnaud and Robinson were back to practice Sunday — although both were limited by the coaches — but Benton will likely miss the remainder of the season. Arnaud sat out with a bruised throwing hand while Robinson was out with a groin injury that has been bothering him since the game against Army.

He also said Monday that he fully expects both starters to return to action this weekend.

Benton’s loss moves true freshman Jacques Washington onto the depth chart behind starter Kennard Banks, but will likely result in safeties Zac Sandvig and Mike O’Connell moving into the nickel back position that Benton has occupied thus far in 2009.

“I think they’re going to step up,” Sims said. “Throughout the season [Sandvig] has been helping the nickels even though he plays safety. Mike O’Connell, he’s going to step in. He did real good at the end, too. So everything’s going to be fine.”

The situation is complicated for the first half against Texas A&M, however, because starting safety James Smith will sit out after being disqualified from the second half against Nebraska. Smith’s suspension makes O’Connell the starting safety for the first half and will force Sandvig into full-time play.

“We’re going to have some movement and some changes in terms of our nickel players,” Rhoads said. “Zac Sandvig filled in there when Mike O’Connell had to move back. Mike had to move back to safety and we needed someone to replace [Benton] as nickel, and Zac said, ‘I’ll do it.’ He runs in and finishes the game out at nickel.

“You don’t do that unless you pay attention in all your meetings and you pay attention in practice. That’s a sign of a smart football team.”