Iowa State Head Football Coach Dan McCarney was relieved to get back on the winning track with the Cyclones’ 57-30 victory over UNLV.

“I’m very proud of this football team. When you go through two gut-wrenching losses back to back, you really find out about the character of a football team. I thought these kids were ready to play and not for one second did we take UNLV for granted,” McCarney said.

ISU sophomore sensation Troy Davis came through with the best rushing performance of his career. Davis carried the ball 36 times for 302 yards. Davis’ performance broke his own school record of 291 yards against Ohio University earlier this season. Davis also scored five touchdowns, which equals the school mark set by Joe Henderson against Kansas in 1988.

Next in line was second string tailback Graston Norris, who ran for 128 on 10 carries, including a 91-yard touchdown run. Third string tailback Jahi Arnold also produced by rushing 11 times for 90 yards.

When the game concluded, ISU had set a school record for most rushing yards in a game with 586, breaking the old record of 445 yards against Colorado State in 1980.

“It’s fantastic. When you get a chance to see the three backs that we see in practice, it gives you an idea of the ability that we have at the running back position,” McCarney said. “I can’t say enough about Troy Davis. He’s consistent, he’s tough, and he’s one of the classiest kids I’ve ever been around. It’s an honor for me to be in this program and to coach that young man everyday.”

The only disappointment for McCarney came when starting quarterback Todd Doxzon reinjured his left ankle during a scramble in the middle of the third quarter.

“He [Doxzon] resprained his same ankle. Its not serious enough where he will be out for three or four weeks though. He’ll just keep getting his treatments. We’ll make sure we take good care of him and hopefully he’ll be ready for Oklahoma,” McCarney said.

Doxzon was replaced with new second string quarterback Todd Bandhauer, a true freshman from Lecanto, Fla. McCarney moved Bandhauer ahead of junior quarterback Jeff St. Clair on the depth chart because of Bandhauer’s good performance in practices.

“We had planned on using Todd Bandhauer as our No. 2 quarterback. He’s earned it. He was our number two quarterback going in,” McCarney said. “I’m very proud of the job he did. That’s not easy to do, going in your first game out of high school. He never put the ball on the ground and completed a couple of passes. I’m very pleased with him.”

The Cyclones will now enter the Big Eight season with a 2-2 record. The team has this weekend off and then plays Oklahoma in Cyclone Stadium on Oct. 7. McCarney remains skeptical on whether or not his team is prepared for Big Eight play.

“I don’t know if we’re ready. Today was, obviously, not as nearly as a physical team as we’re going to see in the Big Eight. All we’re going to try to do is improve everyday, like we’ve tried to since we took this job,” McCarney said