Dan McCarney and the ISU football team are still searching for answers.

In six games this season, the Cyclones have used three different players for field goals and extra points — finding consistency with none.

Iowa State has converted 3-of-11 field goal chances, a .273 conversion rate. The Cyclones have also missed three extra points, the most by any Big 12 team this year.

“I know in practice they did a good job of kicking,” said tight end James Wright. “They just have to carry it into the game.

“We’ll be OK. They’ll get it down and I have faith in all of them. They can all kick the ball, they all have strong legs — it’s just a matter of time.”

The kicking game is at the forefront of an offense that has struggled getting into the end zone.

In their 19-14 loss to Colorado last weekend, the Cyclones were in the red zone five times but failed to come away with points on any of those drives.

Both Iowa State scores were on long plays, as cornerback Ellis Hobbs returned an interception 34 yards for the first Cyclone touchdown and Bret Meyer found Todd Blythe for a 43-yard score in the fourth quarter.

“We missed two short field goals that were almost like extra points,” McCarney said. “But if we had done a better job in the red zone, we wouldn’t have to worry about missed field goals.

“It’s right at the heart of the problem, no doubt. Some of those kicks should be routine.”

Iowa State’s kicking problems were highlighted by Colorado’s Mason Crosby, who knocked in four field goals, including kicks of 54 and 60 yards.

Crosby’s 60-yard score is a Colorado school record.

While Crosby was driving kicks through from long range, Iowa State struggled with much closer kicks.

Scott Krava missed from 22 yards in the second quarter, and fellow walk-on Brian Jansen couldn’t hit a 25-yard try in the third. Kicker Bret Culbertson was called on to kick the extra point after Iowa State’s second touchdown.

Jansen has made only three of his nine field goal tries, and Krava is 0-for-2. Jansen has also missed two extra points.

A case can be made that the kicking game has cost Iowa State two wins so far this year, as missed field goals factored into both the Colorado and Iowa games.

“If you look at Iowa and Colorado, both those teams dominated Iowa State a year ago,” McCarney said. “That didn’t happen this year. There are a lot of variables, but if we had kicked some field goals, we’d be sitting here 4-2.”

Iowa State has also been without senior all-conference kicker Tony Yelk, who has been sidelined all season with a leg injury.

McCarney said it is unlikely Yelk will play.

“We’ve talked about it for weeks and weeks, but nothing has really changed,” McCarney said. “I don’t think he’ll be available. He sure is trying to get back, but I doubt if he’ll be there.”

Tom Kroeschell, associate athletic director for media relations, said Yelk will not be available for interviews until after he plays, which McCarney requested.

With Yelk still out, the Cyclones may get a boost from the return of another injured kicker.

Redshirt freshman Josh Griebahn has been sidelined for the opening six games while recovering from foot surgery. Now, the kicker from West Branch may get a chance to take the field.

“If we feel like he is the best in practice this week, we’ll probably give him a shot on Saturday,” McCarney said.