One common theme ran through the ISU football team’s final show of spring practice.

There’s still work to do.

After a productive series of spring practices, the Cyclones annual spring game was one last chance for Iowa State to take the field before taking the summer off.

Spring practices have given ISU coach Dan McCarney plenty to evaluate before the season resumes in the fall.

“You always want to be further along,” McCarney said. “You always hope for progress and improvement – we did see those things this spring. I wanted to see this team toughen up physically and mentally and I think we did that.”

Iowa State brought out a small portion of its game plan Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium, mixing passing plays and running plays almost equally.

The game ended with a 42-28 victory for Iowa State’s cardinal team – a team comprising Iowa State’s first and fourth teams.

Despite the 42 points on the board in the scrimmage, ISU receiver Todd Blythe echoed his coach’s assessment of spring play.

“You always wish you were a little bit better,” Blythe said. “I wish we would have been a little more consistent. We made good strides and we’re at a good point right now. You always want to be better and you want to be perfect. That’s the goal we strive for.”

Iowa State’s white team – made up of the second and third teams – was given a 21-point lead to start the game.

That lead evaporated early, as the cardinal team’s offense came alive.

The cardinal team had the game tied by halftime, netting 28 first-half points and allowing only one white team touchdown.

Quarterback Bret Meyer ran an efficient game, completing 20 of 25 passes for 249 yards and two scores.

The junior signal caller appeared to be in midseason form, mixing long and short passes and moving the football almost at will.

“Bret Meyer did today what he’s been doing all spring long in scrimmages,” McCarney said. “He’s accurate, smart and has a good delivery.”

Blythe and fellow receiver Austin Flynn were Meyer’s favorite targets on the afternoon, catching six balls each. Both were also on the receiving end of a Meyer touchdown toss.

“We have our rhythm down and our timing down,” Meyer said. “I think this is a sign of good things to come.”

Blythe’s six receptions went for a total of 109 yards, including a 42-yard strike down the middle of the field.

Meyer said the ISU offense may expand its playbook next season to take advantage of the weapons in the passing game.

“I’m a quarterback, so anytime a play needs to be made I have the ball in my hands, so it’s going to be on me,” Meyer said.

“We’re going to be – maybe – throwing the ball more. We should be able to step up and make plays.”

The Cyclones starting defense wasn’t flashy, but kept the white team out of the game, never allowing them to mount a serious charge.

ISU transfer Tyrone McKenzie led the cardinal team with eight tackles and Brent Curvey added six tackles, four of them going for losses.

Still, there is room for the defense to get better.

“We’re not where we need to be. We’re not as good as we were at the Houston Bowl on defense. That’s pretty obvious,” McCarney said.

Iowa State was without linebacker Matt Robertson, who missed the game because of what McCarney called a “coaches’ decision.”

McCarney moved McKenzie to middle linebacker, with Adam Carper and Alvin Bowen starting on either side.

“With Adam Carper on my right and Ace [Alvin Bowen] on my left, I feel good,” McKenzie said. “Our linebacking corps is faster and stronger and we’re playmakers together. That’s what we’re out there to do, make plays and stop the opposing offense.”