The ISU football team barely had time to celebrate its convincing 37-10 win over Oklahoma State when it turned its attention to perhaps the toughest test it will face this season: stopping one of the nation’s most agile quarterbacks.

Iowa State already shut down Missouri’s Brad Smith, holding him to just 39 yards on the ground after he entered the game leading the Big 12 in rushing.

Now the Cyclones must prepare for another athletic quarterback: Texas A&M star Reggie McNeal.

“It’s a major challenge and a tough job for defensive coaches and players,” ISU coach Dan McCarney said during the weekly Big 12 coaches teleconference.

“[Smith and McNeal] are two of the premier players in the Big 12. They’re both amazing football players.”

The Cyclones must now face the quarterback who is second in the conference in rushing, averaging 89 yards per game. McNeal is right behind Smith, who had a monster game against Nebraska on Saturday, rushing for 246 yards and three scores.

“Guys like Brad Smith or Reggie McNeal can make you look silly just because of their talent and their ability to make people miss,” McCarney said.

McNeal is also a threat passing the ball, throwing for 207 yards a game and 12 touchdowns on the year.

McCarney knows stopping the Aggie quarterback is the key to victory at College Station.

“Reggie is every bit as talented, he’s even faster than Brad Smith,” McCarney said. “He’s very accurate. He’s an electrifying football player. He can take a play that has just been blocked OK or solid, and turn it into a big one.”

The Cyclones will adapt their gameplan from Smith to McNeal. It worked against Missouri, now Iowa State will see if it can do it again.

“We just wanted to limit his big plays,” McCarney said of what the Cyclones did to stop Smith. “Be sound and be good tacklers and not to let him make any big plays.”

The Texas A&M running game has been additionally bolstered by freshman running back Jorvorskie Lane.

Lane stepped in for Courtney Lewis and has carried the rush load for the last two Aggie contests.

“He’s a tremendous player,” McCarney said. “He plays like a veteran, not a freshman. He plays with confidence and has great talent. He doesn’t look one bit out of place. He looks like a tremendous Big 12 football player in his freshman year.”

McCarney also said ISU junior running back Stevie Hicks has an excellent chance to return to the field.

Hicks last saw action against Nebraska, although he had only one carry and was taken out of the game. He was injured against Army and has missed most or all of Iowa State’s last five games.

“I think there is a real good chance he will play,” McCarney said.

“We haven’t had Stevie Hicks for a full football game since the Iowa game. That seems like about eight months ago. He’s been gone for a long time. Obviously, it’s hurt our football team and hurt our offense.”

Hicks rushed for 234 yards before going down with his injury. McCarney said the back could have played against Oklahoma State, but was held out as a precaution.

“We could have used him on Saturday from an emergency standpoint,” McCarney said.

“I just wanted to get him more rest and the doctors agreed and I think he has a real good chance to be ready this week.”