Dan McCarney’s tenure at Iowa State ended the way it began – with a win.

Iowa State handed Missouri a 21-16 loss in McCarney’s final game as ISU head coach, ending the year on a high note after six consecutive losses.

McCarney ends his 12-year career at Iowa State as the school’s all-time leader in wins with 56. He also led Iowa State to five bowl games in the past seven years.

“He gave us so much,” senior Ryan Kock said. “He got me here – he got us all here and we’ve been one big family for the five years I’ve been at Iowa State.

“To give him this win means a lot.”

The search for a new coach continues, with the previous top two candidates now off the table. University of San Diego head coach Jim Harbaugh and Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell interviewed with ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard but have both been told they are no longer candidates for the job.

While the new coaching staff is still up in the air, McCarney was sent out in style by his team.

Kock – a fullback who was getting his second start at tailback with injuries to Stevie Hicks and Jason Scales – rushed for a career-high 179 yards.

His 179 yards were the most by a Cyclone since Ennis Haywood rushed for 185 in 2001.

“That’s Ryan right there,” offensive lineman Seth Zehr said. “He always gives 110 percent, and that gets us excited and fuels us – the intensity and drive.”

Kock was named team MVP at the Cyclone football awards banquet the night before the game.

Running on energy and the knowledge that this might be his last football game, Kock scored twice in the third quarter, putting Iowa State up for good.

“The offensive linemen gave a little bit more,” Kock joked. “I told them they had to block a little longer because I’m slow and it takes me a while to get there. Maybe they took that to heart.”ÿ

The power fullback wasn’t to be denied, hitting holes and running through people all game. Nothing would stand in his way – not even his own teammates.

On his second touchdown, Kock bowled over a Missouri defender and found only teammate Austin Flynn standing between him and the goal line.

So he ran over him too.

“I told him sorry. I didn’t mean to hit him so hard,” Kock said. “I saw the goal line and I wasn’t going to stop.”

The game also saw the return of receiver Todd Blythe, who had missed the last three games with the Epstein-Barr virus. Blythe made his presence felt, catching four passes for 48 yards and the Cyclones’ opening score.

While Iowa State got its offense rolling – its 21 points were the most since scoring 26 against Texas Tech on Oct. 21 – it was the defense that stepped up big.

Trailing 21-16 as time wound down, Missouri drove downfield toward what could have been the game-winning score. But with the football at the 1-yard line, the defense stiffened, keeping the Tigers out of the end zone.

A controversial holding call against Missouri on third down from the one pushed the Tigers back, but quarterback Chase Daniel was sacked as time ran out.

Even though Iowa State finished the season with a 4-8 record, Cyclone fans rushed the field, carrying McCarney off on their shoulders.

“It’s been an extremely long year,” an emotional McCarney said after the game. “Somehow, someway these kids reached down for more. They got more, and they gave more.”