The good news: The Cyclones came out of Saturday’s 40-19 loss to No. 19 Texas with no injuries and head coach Dan McCarney doesn’t have a quarterback controversy heading into this weekend’s game.

The bad news: Iowa State (2-5, 0-3 Big 12) plays No. 11 Nebraska (6-1, 2-1 Big 12), in Lincoln.

“Nebraska’s a tremendous football team that we’ll be playing this weekend in one of the toughest environments in college football,” McCarney said. “[It’ll be] another great challenge for the Cyclones on Saturday, but we’re looking forward to playing in Lincoln, Neb.”

Contrary to last week’s game plan, McCarney knows who will be his starting quarterback will be against the Huskers.

“Austin Flynn will definitely start over at Nebraska, barring any injuries in practice this week,” McCarney said.

Flynn was 5-of-18 for 123 yards and one touchdown in last Saturday’s 40-19 loss to Texas, playing only in the second half. The freshman also had 6 rushes for 43 yards and scored two two-point conversions.

Another freshman, tailback Stevie Hicks, also opened some eyes last weekend with 67 yards on 11 carries, his best effort of the season. However, McCarney said he will continue to start senior Michael Wagner, with Hicks frequently subbing in at the No. 2 spot.

“Mike Wagner will start [versus] Nebraska, but Stevie will continue to get more playing time and more opportunities,” McCarney said.

“It was almost 50-50 as far as the number of plays [they got] in the game Saturday and I think you’ll continue to see that.”

Another plus for McCarney and his staff is the fact that, for the first time this season, no starters went down to injury against the Longhorns.

Also, defensive back Harold Clewis and linebacker Nik Moser, who both sat out the Texas game, will both be back in the lineup against the Huskers.

“It’s really a positive that we didn’t lose any new guys in last week’s game, now we can take a healthier team into the Nebraska game,” McCarney said.

Nebraska was 7-7 last season, and lost 36-14 to Iowa State in Ames, but this season has been a different story.

Although the Husker offense has had no trouble moving the football this season, it’s a defense ranked second nationally that’s giving opposing coaches the most headaches.

“The ‘Blackshirts’ are alive and well in Lincoln, Neb., I can assure you that,” McCarney said. “They’re leading the nation with 29 turnovers forced. Just [a] fantastic defense.”

Texas A&M had eight turnovers — five interceptions and three lost fumbles — in the Huskers’ 48-12 romp last Saturday.

McCarney said his toughest job this week will be finding a key to cracking the Husker defense, but his Cyclones aren’t backing down from any team.

“It’s not just forcing turnovers, it’s their rush defense, their pass defense and [the way] they’re breaking on the ball. There’s just not a lot of open spots to throw the football, and we’ve got to find a way [to do that],” McCarney said.

A five-game losing streak doesn’t have the football team down, McCarney said.

“There’s no white flags going up around Ames, we’re not giving into anything. We’ve just got to find a way to move the ball and give our defense a break.”