With the game on the line, Iowa State looked once again to its defense to seal the deal.

The Cyclones intercepted three passes and Brent Curvey returned a fumble for a touchdown for the second straight week, leading Iowa State to a 13-7 win over Kansas.

The win moves the Cyclones to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12. Iowa State is now tied with Missouri for second in the Big 12 North, just one game behind Nebraska.

The Cyclone defense was dominant throughout much of the game, keeping Kansas from getting anything going.

“There was a time there in the second quarter where they weren’t going to get anything on us,” said junior safety Nik Moser. “That was our defensive mindset.

“They’re not going to get anything on us; that’s our mentality. That has to be our mentality and to create turnovers, too. Our defense is giving our offense confidence, and the offense is giving the defense confidence by moving the ball and keeping us off the field.”

The Cyclones also seemed to have solved their kicking problems, as walk-on freshman Bret Culbertson knocked home kicks from 22 and 34 yards – both into a strong wind – to solidify his place in the Cyclone lineup.

“Every time he kicks one, I feel better about it,” said ISU coach Dan McCarney. “He’s doing a great job, and he’s the No. 1 guy.”

Freshman wide receiver Todd Blythe blocked Kansas’ first punt of the day, and the Cyclones recovered it inside the Jayhawk 10-yard line.

Four plays later, Culbertson converted his first field goal of the year to give the Cyclones an early 3-0 lead.

With the Cyclones up by a field goal, Curvey rumbled 30 yards to put Iowa State up 10-0.

Steve Paris, Ellis Hobbs and Moser added interceptions, with Hobbs’ pick coming with under two minutes to go, sealing the win for the Cyclones.

The ISU defense also knocked Kansas starting quarterback Adam Barmann out of the game in the first half. His replacement, Brian Luke proved to be ineffective for Kansas coach Mark Mangino and was replaced by Jason Swanson.

Swanson led Kansas on its only scoring drive of the game, capping it with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Mark Simmons with three minutes left in the game.

Stevie Hicks led the ISU offense with 110 yards rushing.

“To win the game, we have to be able to run the football,” Hicks said. “It’s something we haven’t been doing well lately, but we picked it up today.”

Hicks’ yardage didn’t come easy, as it took 30 carries for him to reach his total.

“That’s how the offense is designed,” Hicks said. “That’s how Coach Cotton designed the offense. You have to be a tough guy to be in this offense.”

ISU quarterback Bret Meyer was injured late in the second half but stayed in and completed the game.

Meyer injured his left ankle but said after the game he will be fine.

Meyer was 9-for-19 passing, throwing for 51 yards with one interception.