Take it straight from Dan McCarney.

The start of this season hasn’t been good for the blood pressure of the Cyclone football family.

“We’d like to make this a little more relaxed for our wives and for the fans,” the ISU coach said. “But a win’s a win.”

Iowa State holds a 3-2 record nearing the middle point of its season, its three victories coming by a combined nine points.

All three of those wins have come down to the final play of the game.

Toledo receiver Chris Hopkins dropped a pass in overtime, a UNLV receiver caught a pass out of bounds as time ran out and UNI kicker Brian Wingert missed a potential game-winning field goal with six seconds to play.

With the ISU defense ranked last in the Big 12, allowing 377 yards each game, McCarney has made several changes in his secondary.

Freshman Steve Johnson will start at free safety against Nebraska.

Former starter Jon Banks will move to linebacker, where he will backup Adam Carper.

“This was strictly performance related,” McCarney said. “We’re not getting good enough play at safety right now, and we’re going to give Steve Johnson a chance to start.

“We’re not nearly as physical as we need to be defensively and we’re missing far too many tackles. Those are the reasons we made the move.”

Receiver Jon Davis believes Johnson will make an impact right away.

“He’s good,” Davis said. “He’s always aggressive. I like his style. He’s been anxious to play and I know he’s going to do good for us.”

The ISU defense gave up a season-low 158 yards passing against Northern Iowa, but UNI quarterback Eric Sanders completed 23-of-29 throws, picking apart the Cyclones on crossing routes and short throws.

The Cyclones will again be without safety James Smith, who is still recovering from a broken ankle.

Smith had work done on his ankle last week and his return date is still unknown.

“He started running and sprinting and cutting, but there was still pain so they went in and scoped it and removed some scar tissue,” McCarney said. “He’s day-to-day, week-to-week.”

That’s not good news for Iowa State, which hosts a Nebraska team that is putting up impressive offensive numbers.

The Cornhuskers lead the Big 12 in scoring offense, averaging 42 points per game. They are also third in passing, gaining nearly 280 yards through the air each week.

Baum honored

ISU punt returner Ryan Baum was named Big 12 special teams player of the week.

Baum returned four punts for 103 yards. One of those returns went for a 65-yard touchdown that tied the game at 21.

“It’s a great honor,” Baum said. “It’s a team honor, though. You’re only as good as the guys around you, and I have some great guys around me helping me out.”

It was the first ISU punt return touchdown since 2002 and the longest return of Baum’s career.

Oklahoma gametime

The time for Iowa State’s game against Oklahoma hasn’t been set yet, with ABC invoking its six-day rule that allows the network more time to choose which games it will air, said Tom Kroeschell, associate athletic director for athletic communications.

If the ISU-Oklahoma game is going to be on television, it will either be a 2:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. start. If the game isn’t televised, Oklahoma will be allowed to select the game’s starting time.