His coach says it’s the source of all four of their loses, but cornerback Allen Bell looks at turnovers as an opportunity.

Bell, who returned a Nebraska fumble for 34 yards Saturday, said he looks at turnovers as a chance to help his team.

“Every time, it’s another chance for us as defensive players to get back on the field,” Bell said. “We’re excited that maybe we can make another play and deflate them.”

So far, it’s been the opponents who have been taking the wind out of the Cyclones. Iowa State has turned the ball over 15 times this season, leading to 51 points for opponents. Against the Cornhuskers, Bret Meyer was tagged for three interceptions, including one that was returned for 93 yards by Bo Ruud for a touchdown. Nebraska also forced a fumble.

“That’s 200-year-old football,” said coach Gene Chizik during his weekly press conference Monday. “You turn the ball over four times and you won’t win.”

In their first two games, Iowa State turned the ball over seven times. In their lone victory against Iowa, the Cyclones made only one fumble. The next week against Toledo, Meyer threw one interception and the Rockets forced two more fumbles.

Chizik said those have been the difference in wins turning to losses.

“We have one every game,” he said. “I think they play a huge role in why we’re 1-4.”

So now, Chizik is sitting down his team and showing them every single turnover they have had this season.

“We have to value that football,” said senior wide receiver Todd Blythe. “Not just for ourselves and the offense, but the whole team.”

What’s also been costly has been the kickoff defense of special teams. With a 10-point lead over the Cornhuskers, ISU special teams missed several attempts to tackle Nebraska’s Cortney Grixby before bringing him down after a 51-yard return. Seven plays later, Nebraska was in the end zone and within 3 points of the Cyclones.

Chizik said he’s looking at adding more starters to his special teams’ coverage.

“We’re just going to have to up it, and the Alvin Bowens are going to have to start covering kickoffs,” he said. “That’s where we’re going with it.”

As the Cyclones prepare for their Saturday matchup with Texas Tech, Chizik said he’s even had players volunteering their services for special teams.

Bell said he’d be excited for that opportunity, as well.

“If I have to run down there and make some tackles on kickoffs, I’ll do it,” Bell said. “It’s definitely been a sore spot. We’ve got a lot of people fighting to get on there right now. If my name gets called out there, I’ll do it.”

Scales steps in for injured Bass

For the first time this season, junior running back J.J. Bass watched a game from the sidelines.

Bass, a junior college transfer from El Camino Community College, spent the afternoon against Nebraska nursing an injured shoulder. Now, he’s listed third on the Cyclones’ depth chart at running back.

“J.J. was hurt last week, so we’ll end up making a decision on who ends up being the starting guy later on,” coach Gene Chizik said.

Bass, who has rushed for 390 yards on 96 carries this season, might be available for Saturday’s game against Texas Tech. For now, Chizik said he’s “day-to-day.”

“We’ll just have to take that as it comes,” he said. “Today is another day off, which will be good, but we’ll see as the week goes on.”

While Bass was on the sidelines, junior Jason Scales took over the majority of the carrying duties. Scales, who rushed 115 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns against the Cornhuskers on Saturday, was listed Monday as the Cyclones’ starting running back on the depth chart.

“I thought Jason played really well,” Chizik said. “I thought he made some tough yards, but the decision has not yet been made yet on what we’ll do this weekend.”