Ask Iowa State head football coach Dan McCarney if ISU running back Troy Davis is a long shot for the Heisman Trophy, and you might be surprised by the answer.

“A lot of people on the outside think he’s a long shot. I don’t think he’s a long shot at all,” McCarney said.

“When you look at the record and you look at past Heisman winners and what they’ve done against Top 10 teams, great teams, great programs and you look at what this young man has done against outstanding schedules and outstanding defenses. He’s done it every week and he’s dominated every week. I can’t imagine him being a long shot in my mind.”

The sophomore tailback from Miami continues to lead the nation in rushing with 183 yards per game after a 183-yard rushing performance on a season-high 41 carries in a 49-7 loss to No. 7 Kansas State Saturday in Cyclone Stadium. The Wildcats went into the game with the No. 1 defense in the country. Davis also continues to lead the nation in all-purpose yards with 224.3 yards a game. That number was helped by a 72-yard kickoff return in the third quarter.

Davis said the Heisman really isn’t on his mind, but what is on his mind is the 3-7 record the Cyclones have.

“It doesn’t even matter to me,” he said. “I’m just out there trying to win games. If the Heisman comes my way, it just comes my way.”

Davis has tallied 1,830 rushing yards this season with this Saturday’s game at Missouri left on the schedule. That total breaks the old Big Eight sophomore record of 1,722 yards set by Lawrence Phillips of Nebraska last year.

If Davis gathers 170 yards against Missouri, he will be the first sophomore in Division I history to rush for over 2,000 yards.

“The first priority is to win the game and we’ll do all that we can to try and see that Troy hits that milestone,” McCarney said.

No major college running back has ever rushed for over 2,000 yards in a season and not won the Heisman.

That milestone is not only important to the Cyclones’ offense, the defense also takes pride in Davis’ accomplishments.

“We’d like to think we make Troy better every day in practice. Troy’s a hell of a hard worker and we motivate him as much as possible,” senior safety Matt Straight said. “He’s a great guy with a great heart and great ability and that equals, hopefully, a Heisman for him.”

Straight said this Saturday’s game against Missouri will be a good test for the defense.

“It’s going to mean a lot for the seniors and it’ll mean a lot for Troy Davis and for our offense to get Troy 2,000,” he said.

“Defensively, we’ll be thinking, ‘Let’s get them three and out as much as possible and get our offense involved and get the best running back in the nation the ball so he can get those yards.’ If they’re going to stuff our run, if they’re going to send nine guys to the line of scrimmage, we’re not stupid — we’re going to throw the ball, but I just hope that Troy gets it.”

Freshman quarterback Todd Bandhauer played the entire game Saturday, finishing 5-14 for 72 yards with a touchdown and one interception. Bandhauer has started in the last three games for Todd Doxzon, who still is recovering from an ankle injury suffered early in the season.

McCarney said a Bandhauer-Doxzon battle for quarterback is in Cyclone football future next season.

“With the experience Todd Bandhauer’s gained and the confidence he’s gained, some of the things he’s done, I think it’d be a great battle,” he said. “They both bring an awful lot of real good things to this football team. I anticipate an excellent battle for quarterback in the spring and next fall.”