The Cyclones were given chances to defeat Nebraska on Saturday night, but Iowa State couldn’t execute when it most needed to, falling 28-14.

Penalties brought back touchdowns twice, although the Cyclones did score later on one of the drives, and a controversial call negated another.

All night long it seemed as if penalties killed Iowa State in key situations. Iowa State trailed Nebraska from the opening possession, and never had the lead.

“It just comes down to . we need to make plays,” ISU receiver Todd Blythe said. “We made some but we didn’t make enough. We have to do a better job executing.”

Blythe was the subject of one of the penalties when his 29-yard touchdown catch early in the third quarter was negated by an offensive pass interference call when officials said Blythe pushed off a Nebraska defender.

“I guess they said I pushed off,” Blythe said. “But I’m not here to judge the officials. I don’t think I pushed off, and [the Nebraska defender] told me the next play, ‘Nice play. I don’t know what they called on that one,’ so I don’t know.

“But the official called it and threw the flag, and we need to be able to come back and overcome things like that.”

ISU tight end Ben Barkema was called for holding, a penalty which erased an 18-yard touchdown run by Meyer. Iowa State would rebound to score later in that drive, but it wasn’t the biggest missed opportunity for the Cyclones.

After recovering a Zac Taylor fumble at the Nebraska 14-yard line, the Cyclones appeared to score on a touchdown pass to Austin Flynn, but officials said Flynn did not have control of the ball in bounds.

Television replays showed that Flynn actually did catch the ball in bounds with room to spare, but ISU coach Dan McCarney had already used his challenge and the play was not reviewed.

Still, Blythe said the Cyclones can’t blame the game on officials. Blythe himself even had a step on his man twice in the fourth quarter, but Meyer overthrew him both times, including once in the end zone on fourth down.

“[Officiating is] not really in our control,” Blythe said. “It just comes down to where we have to make plays. In a game like this we can’t blame somebody else. It’s on us.”

The Nebraska defense also caused plenty of problems for ISU quarterback Bret Meyer. The Huskers brought blitzers all night and it seemed to keep Meyer from ever getting comfortable.

“They brought a lot of pressure, so we had to get rid of the ball quick or check out of the play,” Meyer said. “It was probably more blitzing than we’ve seen all year. When they bring seven or eight guys, that’s going to keep you out of your rhythm.”

There were plenty of other events in the game that the Cyclones could point to as game changers, specifically Nebraska’s drive at the end of the first half in which the Huskers took the ball 60 yards in 1:12 for a touchdown with three seconds to play before halftime.

That touchdown made the score 21-7 in favor of Nebraska.

“That really hurt,” McCarney said. “We said it on the phones in the second half, just make a play, get off the field and it’s a seven-point game.

“It’s a great play on their side, but from our standpoint it was way too easy.”

The lone bright spot may have been the ISU passing defense, which only surrendered 131 yards. Even that, however, seemed lackluster considering Nebraska was still 17-of-21 passing, including 5-of-5 in the second half.

“We did some things better defensively,” McCarney said.

“We got some pressure on the quarterback and took some steps forward with three new starters on defense. We got better defensively in the second half, no question.”

How much better the defense got remains a question as it surrendered more than 250 yards rushing to the Huskers, but it did hold the Huskers scoreless in the second half until just under two minutes to play, when Nebraska went ahead 28-7.

Unfortunately for the Cyclones, the offense couldn’t benefit from five straight defensive stops in the second half.

“Being the leader of the offense, it’s not a good feeling right now,” Meyer said.

Now as Iowa State heads to Norman, Okla., next week for a date with Oklahoma, Blythe said it’s time for the Cyclones to grow up or else face starting 0-3 in the Big 12 for the third straight year.

“We said in the locker room after the game it’s time for everyone to grow up,” Blythe said.

“We need to show up ready to work this week and figure out what needs to be figured out.”