Despite their 2-4 record, the Cyclones believe they are a much improved team from last year’s 3-9 campaign.

“We’ve shown what we can be,” said offensive lineman Doug Dedrick. “We’ve got to figure out whatever it is that we are lacking right now and kind of put [together] an entire four quarters and really try to show what we really can be.”

Halfway through last season, the Cyclones were averaging 18.5 points per game, which is 10 points lower than the 28.5 points per game the Cyclones are getting this year.

“I think we’re a better football team,” said coach Gene Chizik.

Chizik believes one reason his team is better is because they are only a few plays away from being a five-win football team right. The Cyclones lost their first three games of the season by a combined 17 points.

“This time a year ago, I don’t know we were in a position to even win those three games,” Chizik said.

One reason the Cyclones have put up more points this year is their improvement in takeaways. Iowa State leads the Big 12 with 17 takeaways and a plus seven turnover margin.

Last season, the Cyclones totaled 10 takeaways at the midpoint and were minus seven in the turnover margin.

The Cyclone defense failed to record a turnover in its last game for the first time all season, although the team still suffered a 38-10 blowout win by Baylor.

“One thing our kids don’t think right now: Our kids don’t think that they can’t win,” Chizik said.

Banks back from broken arm

In the first half of his first game with the Cyclones, junior college transfer Kennard Banks broke his right arm while making a tackle against South Dakota State.

Doctors told Banks after the injury he would probably miss the remainder of the season.

“I was thinking to myself, ‘It’s my junior year I can’t let this happen,’” Banks said.

After spending five weeks in a cast, Banks looked at the x-ray taken of his arm and saw that the broken bone had healed faster than expected.

He took the practice field for the first time last week and even saw the field for a few plays against Baylor.

Now, Banks is getting ready to suit up again against Nebraska, while playing with a protective cast on his right arm.

“He loves to play. He doesn’t want to be hampered or restricted in any way, but, obviously, when you’re playing with a cast on your arm it does,” Chizik said.

It’s not unusual for lineman to play with a cast or club on their arms, but it’s not often that skilled players play with a cast.

“It’s kind of difficult. It’s hard to adjust, too,” Banks said.

Chizik said he can’t remember coaching a defensive back who has worn a protective cast during a game.

“He’s a very physical football player, so when it comes to tackling, I’m a little bit worried about it because it’s hard to grip and wrap up,” Chizik said.

Unless Banks can catch with one hand, it will be hard for him to make an interception from the secondary.

“Every time the ball hits it [the cast], the ball just bounces right off and there’s nothing I can do about it,” Banks said.

Robinson hits sophomore slump

In the final four games of his freshman year, running back Alexander Robinson rushed for 391 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers propelled Robinson as the feature back heading into the 2008 season, but so far it hasn’t been smooth sailing for the sophomore.

“He’s got a lot of room for improvement, quite honestly. There’s been some cuts there that in the past he’s been able to make,” Chizik said.

In six games, Robinson has ran for 230 yards and a touchdown, which is a modest 46 yards rushing a game.

Chizik said Robinson’s not entirely to blame, and that it’s just as much the fault of the offensive line and wide receivers blocking down field.

“A-Rob’s a fantastic running back. All of our running backs are good. It’s just one guy here and one guy there. It’s 10 guys doing the right thing and one guy not, and that’s costing us,” Dedrick said.