The Iowa State defense that took the field last Saturday against Oklahoma looked like a totally different unit from the one that faced Texas just one week earlier.

Now the goal is to keep improving.

After four straight weeks of the Cyclones allowing at least 35 points, including 42 to Texas Tech and 56 to Texas, the ISU defense pitched a shutout in the first half before falling to the Sooners 17-7. ISU coach Gene Chizik said he was proud of the team’s ability to bounce back from previous beatings.

“They kept getting turnovers and they kept defending, you know, just playing their tails off all game long [against Oklahoma],” Chizik said. “[I was proud], especially when you compare to the performance of the week before.

“I think they took [the Texas game] personal. I thought they took [what we told them] all week and they responded. I thought they had fun Saturday and the way they played Saturday and the resiliency of them, I was proud of that.”

Cyclone defensive end Kurtis Taylor said there was no doubt the defense had a chip on their shoulder after being manhandled 56-3 at home by the Longhorns.

“There’s no question about it,” Taylor said. “There’s nothing fun about losing. We wanted to make sure we came out and prepared hard and worked hard and got ready to win a football game.”

And although the Cyclones didn’t end up winning the game, the defense certainly made a statement that they aren’t throwing in the towel.

The defense had a great day, holding the Sooners to just 316 yards of total offense and 17 points, a huge improvement for a unit allowing an average of more than 30 points per game.

Chizik said he still doesn’t believe all is well, however. The Cyclones’ coach pointed out Oklahoma played to the strength of the Cyclone defense by playing power football and running the ball.

Chizik said the team still needs to improve in making plays “in space” against spread offenses like they saw against Texas and will see Saturday against Missouri.

“The tempo of the game will be really fast,” Chizik said. “I’m sure they’ll try and no-huddle us . but at the end of the day you have to stop the run. Period.”

Missouri will bring in the nation’s fifth-leading passer in Chase Daniel, and the nation’s 7th-ranked offense, which averages over 330 yards passing and 180 yards rushing en route to more than 40 points per game.

Chizik wants to stop the run first, but said he still respects the talent of Daniel.

“He obviously plays a huge role in what they do, but the thing about it is he’s not the only guy. There’s so many more,” Chizik said. “He’s very explosive and he can do a number of different things.”

Frustrating Daniel will be key to Iowa State successfully stopping the spread offense for the first time this year, Taylor said.

“You have to get a pass rush,” Taylor said. “You don’t want the quarterback to get comfortable and set his feet, and then you have to have good coverage. If you can do those things, then you can cut down on their big plays.”