Iowa State may have turned in one of the best defensive efforts in school history Saturday, but head coach Dan McCarney knows it’s still very early in the game.

“We’re not the steel curtain yet,” said McCarney, referring to the heralded defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s.

A crowd of 40,026 saw the Cyclones rout Kansas 45-3 at Jack Trice Stadium.

Despite McCarney’s modesty, the numbers speak for themselves.

The Cyclones (1-1, 1-0 Big 12 North) had four sacks and three interceptions while allowing Kansas (0-1, 0-1) two rushing yards at halftime, zero first downs in the first quarter and just 150 yards of total offense.

Linebacker Matt Word said Saturday’s performance is proof Iowa State’s defense is no longer a pushover. The win over Kansas had the fewest points allowed by an ISU defense since last season’s 41-0 victory over Baylor.

“I know that we’re going to be one of the best defenses in the Big 12 Conference,” Word said. “Back in the past, people used to be able to just march on us, but no more.

“We’ve got a new mentality; we’re going to come out here and we’re going to hit people. We’re just hungry.”

Brandon Brown led the Cyclones with 10 tackles. The sophomore also had 11 tackles in a 38-31 loss to Florida State on Aug. 24.

The Cyclone defense sent the crowd into a frenzy on Kansas’ second possession of the second quarter. On first down, true freshman Nick Leaders sacked Kansas quarterback Zach Dyer and forced a fumble, sending the Jayhawks back to their own 12-yard line.

Two plays later it was Beau Coleman breaking through to sack Dyer again and forcing a Kansas punt.

As a result, the ISU offense began with great field position. After a 25-yard pass from Seneca Wallace to Jamaul Montgomery, Iowa State gave the ball to Hiawatha Rutland three straight times. Rutland scored from seven yards out and the Cyclones expanded their lead to 17-0.

Word said he and the rest of the seniors on the defensive side of the ball have taken it upon themselves to lead the charge.

“It starts with the seniors and we’ve got to play that way,” he said. “We’ve got to go out there and set the tempo and let those boys know that we’re going to get going.”

McCarney said earlier in the week that one of his teams’ goals is to get at least three turnovers each game. Against Florida State, the Cyclones had just one interception. With three picks and Leaders’ forced fumble Saturday, McCarney said his team is back on track in that respect.

Wallace said the performance of his defensive teammates relieved some of his pressure to make plays on the offensive side of the ball.

“The defense was playing well,” he said. “They went out there and were flying around, making hits . and they got some picks for us.”

If anything negative could come out of Saturday’s win, McCarney said the kicking game comes to mind. Adam Benike converted on his first field goal attempt from 32 yards, but his 33-yard attempt in the second quarter drifted wide right.

Tony Yelk, who has been kicking the more lengthy field goal attempts, also missed from 48 yards. McCarney said he still has confidence in Benike and Yelk.

“We’ve got to get it corrected and we’ll challenge our kids,” McCarney said.

“I’m not going to go out on campus and start looking for new walk-ons. We have the ability at that position, we just have to do a better job.”

All in all, McCarney is satisfied to be atop the Big 12 Conference standings. The Cyclones will stay there until the next round of Big 12 games on Oct. 5.

“We’re proud to be 1-0 in the Big 12,” McCarney said Monday. “Any time you get a 42-point victory in the Big 12, you’re pleased with that.”