The path to its fifth bowl in six seasons was not an easy one for the ISU football team. Three wins to open the season had Cyclone Nation sky high, but the three consecutive losses that followed could have ended Iowa State’s postseason hopes. But that was not to be for this team, which rebounded and forced its way into a New Year’s Eve bowl game.

Iowa State 32, Illinois State 21

The ISU football season started sluggishly, as the Cyclones were tied 8-8 with Illinois State at halftime of their season opener. Iowa State came out strong in the second half, getting touchdown runs from Stevie Hicks and Ryan Kock, as well as a scoring pass from Bret Meyer to Todd Blythe to open their season with a 32-21 win.

Iowa State 23, Iowa 3

It was ISU coach Dan McCarney’s first win over a top-10 team, as Iowa State handed then-No. 8 Iowa a 23-3 beating in the clash of in-state rivals. LaMarcus Hicks returned an interception for a touchdown and Kock ran in from two yards out to cement Iowa State’s sixth victory in its last eight games against the Hawkeyes.

Iowa State 28, Army 21

A trip to West Point, N.Y., gave the Cyclones all they could handle, as Iowa State was forced to rally in the fourth quarter to beat Army, 28-21. Trailing 21-14 in the final quarter, the Cyclones offense got two touchdowns from Kock and a key fourth-down stop to run their record to 3-0. Cyclone defenders intercepted three Army passes, led by Steve Paris with two.

Nebraska 27, Iowa State 20 2OT

With their first win at Nebraska within their grasp, the Cyclones fell to the Cornhuskers 27-20 in double overtime. Nebraska running back Cory Ross scored twice in overtime and had a 70-yard touchdown reception in regulation to pull his team to a win. Iowa State got 65 yards rushing from running back Greg Coleman, who was pressed into service when Hicks was unable to play because of an injury suffered against Army.

Baylor 23, Iowa State 13

Trailing by three at halftime, Baylor scored 13 second-half points to earn its first ever Big 12 road victory, 23-13. The Cyclones fumbled twice in the second half, keeping themselves from mounting a comeback.

Missouri 27, Iowa State 24 OT

Missouri opened a quick 14-0 lead on two ISU turnovers returned for scores, but the visiting Cyclones didn’t give up, scoring 24 unanswered points to hold a 24-14 lead with nine minutes to play. After knocking Missouri quarterback Brad Smith out of the game, backup Chase Daniel led the Tigers on two fourth-quarter scoring drives, sending the game into overtime. Missouri kicked a field goal in the extra period, as Iowa State lost its third straight game.

Iowa State 37, Oklahoma State 10

Iowa State turned a page on its season, pounding Oklahoma State to the tune of 37-10. Meyer led an efficient offense, connecting on 13-of-20 passes for 227 yards and one score. He also ran for a touchdown, as did Coleman and Kock, to snap Iowa State’s three-game losing streak and put the Cyclones back in the hunt for the postseason.

Iowa State 42, Texas A&M 14

Iowa State’s trip to Texas A&M turned into the Todd Blythe show, as the receiver dominated the game, leading Iowa State to a 42-14 win on the road. Blythe caught eight passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns. His 63-yard reception from Meyer in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach. Hicks returned to his running back position after an injury, rushing for 122 yards and two scores.

Iowa State 45, Kansas State 17

The Cyclones used a 45-17 win over Kansas State to make themselves eligible for their fifth bowl in six seasons. The ISU defense dominated Kansas State’s run game, allowing just 12 yards rushing. Conversely, Iowa State rushed for 221 yards as a team, led by a 149-yard game by Hicks. Meyer threw three touchdown passes, as the Cyclones recorded their third-consecutive dominating win.

Iowa State 30, Colorado 16

Colorado came to Ames with a chance to wrap up the Big 12 North but ran into a Cyclone team that wasn’t quite ready to concede the division. Both teams had trouble running the ball as the Cyclones managed 36 yards on the ground, but rode their defense to the win. Paris and defensive lineman Brent Curvey returned Colorado turnovers for touchdowns.

Kansas 24, Iowa State 21 OT

With a trip to face Texas in the Big 12 Championship on the line, Iowa State let a golden opportunity slip away against Kansas, losing its third overtime game of the season, 24-21. The loss allowed Colorado to back its way into the championship game, the second time in as many years that Iowa State could have earned the conference crown outright and let it go.

Kansas scored 15 fourth-quarter points to force overtime, and then won in the extra period. A banged up Hicks led a running game that struggled, as the Cyclones rushed for just 56 yards against one of the conference’s best defenses.