In the midst of a 58-point outburst, Iowa State’s defense and special teams took pressure off the offense, notching touchdowns on a punt return and an interception.

The special teams were also a combined 10-for-10 on extra point and field goal tries against an outmanned Tennessee Tech team.

“We challenged our kids to make some big plays in the kicking game which we did,” ISU head coach Dan McCarney said. “I don’t care who you are up against or what the score is, we’ll take that every time.”

Sophomore punt returner Todd Miller juked his way to a 60-yard return for a score with 7:05 remaining in the first quarter. It was Iowa State’s first punt returned for a touchdown since JaMaine Billups did so in the 2000 Insight.com Bowl.

On the season, Miller has nine returns for 131 yards and an average of 14.5 yards per return.

“Once I caught the ball, I had a lot of room to work with, and I found a nice hole,” Miller said. “The punt return team did a good job, and once I got one-on-one with the punter I wasn’t going to let him catch me.”

McCarney had challenged the punt return unit in recent weeks, and they responded.

“We hadn’t made any plays yet either blocking a punt or returning one,” McCarney said. “Miller does that everyday in practice; he makes things happen. You trust him with your life catching punts.”

Miller said it was the main goal of the punt return team to make good on McCarney’s challenge.

“To score a touchdown on special teams is awesome,” he said. “It’s even better to get one on defense because your offense gets to rest. It is a great feeling overall.”

Despite the new lights at Jack Trice Stadium, Miller said he didn’t have any trouble catching the ball.

“During two-a-days we came under the lights one time, and I got used to it then,” he said. “There is not to much glare off the lights so it is pretty easy to catch the football.”

Steve Paris recorded Iowa State’s defensive touchdown with 12:46 to play in the second quarter. He picked off a pass from Tennessee Tech quarterback Robert Craft and found the end zone 24 yards later. It was the first interception returned for a touchdown since Matt Word’s 36-yard touchdown return at Kansas last year.

“I didn’t really get a chance to think because my teammate Jimmy Morris kind of hit me,” Paris said. “I was like `I’ve got to get out of this,’ and I saw some teammates yelling `come on, come on.’ Ain’t nothing better than scoring a touchdown on your own sideline.”

ISU kicker Tony Yelk was successful on a 45-yard field goal in the second quarter, improving to 1-3 on the year. He hopes to carry over some confidence to the Iowa game on Saturday. He provided the winning margin in last year’s 17-14 win.

“It definitely is a good feeling to get that first one through,” Yelk said.

“The bottom line is you have to go out there and kick the ball like it is any other kick and be relaxed. Whenever I get the call, I need to be ready to respond, and we were successful in our try tonight. It definitely will help with the confidence, but the most important kick is always the next one.”

Adam Benike added 22- and 24-yard field goals in addition to all seven extra points. Benike is now a perfect 17-17 on extra points and 4-5 on field goal attempts on the season.