Two weeks removed from almost defeating Big 12 powerhouse Kansas State, Iowa State hits the road for a showdown with fifth-ranked Nebraska in Lincoln.

Nebraska is coming off of a 38-14 victory over Oklahoma State this past weekend, while the Cyclones had a week off. Coach Dan McCarney said that, after the loss to Kansas State, the week off came at a perfect time.

“We’re going to get healed up. We’re a good football team,” McCarney said. “Coach [Bill] Synder [of Kansas State] and I believe that we’re better than we have been in the last four years.”

The improvement was obvious after the Cyclones took a 28-7 halftime lead against the Wildcats on Sept. 24. It was the Darren Davis show once again, as Davis scored two first-half touchdowns for the Cyclones.

Combined with a solid passing game from quarterback Sage Rosenfels and strong defensive play, the Cyclones seemingly had the Wildcats on their heels.

The second half was a different story, as the Wildcats scored 28 unanswered points, showing why they are a top 25 team with a 35-28 win over the Cyclones.

Offensive tackle Bill Marsau said after the game that the loss was obviously a disappointment but that the team cannot dwell on it.

“Certainly, there is a lot of disappointment today as we let them back in the game,” Marsau said. “It really hurts to lose, but at the same time, we know what we are capable of doing. This can’t be the end. We have a lot of season left.”

The rest of the season begins with Saturday’s game in Lincoln. It will be homecoming for the Cornhuskers, and despite some major offensive changes during the season, the squad is still ranked among the top six in the country in four defensive categories and has averaged 37 points a game thus far.

After former starting tailback DeAngelo Evans left the squad, the tandem of juniors Dan Alexander and Correll Buckhalter has lead the ground attack, combining for 473 yards rushing and six touchdowns.

Sophomore Eric Crouch has looked sharp since taking over as the starting quarterback. He is the leading rusher for Nebraska with 325 yards and seven touchdowns.

Crouch has passed for 524 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions this season.

Former starter Bobby Newcome has moved to the wingback position, sharing time with senior Sean Applegate.

Junior split end Matt Davison and sophomore tight end Tracey Wistrom have provided the bulk of the receptions, combining for 20 catches, 415 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, the Huskers have been led by senior linebacker Julius Jackson, who has 17 tackles on the season. He leads the team in interceptions with three and also has two fumble recoveries.

Eight Huskers have two sacks each, with linemen Aaron Willis and Steve Warren providing senior leadership and junior linebacker Carlos Polk,who leads the team with five tackles for loss, leading the way.

Senior rover Mike Brown leads the team with 35 tackles, and senior cornerback Ralph Brown is considered one of the best in the nation at right cornerback position.

Again for the Cyclones, the play of Darren Davis will be telling on game day. The Huskers have not allowed a 100-yard rusher yet this season, and Davis is one of the nation’s best, with 724 yards rushing and six touchdowns this season.

Just as the Huskers will have to contain Davis and sophomore Ennis Haywood — if health — the Cyclones will have to handle the always dangerous option attack of Nebraska and the big play potential of Crouch, Alexander and Buckhalter.

Alexander had his coming-out party last season against the Cyclones, gaining 110 yards and scoring three touchdowns in his first career start. Nebraska won the game in Ames, 42-7.

With a week off to rest his players and allow injuries to key players like Haywood and offensive lineman Zach Butler to heal, McCarney realizes that from here on, the season will get tougher and so will the Cyclones.

“We have lots of season left, and it is far from over,” McCarney said. “We’ll continue to improve.”