Iowa State football coach Dan McCarney has given his team the week off before the Cyclones begin their preparations for an expected bowl game invitation. The Cyclones capped off a disappointing end to the season with a 37-20 loss to Connecticut and closed the regular season with a record of 7-6. Junior receiver Jack Whitver says a bowl game will give the Cyclones a chance at redemption. Whitver says ending the season with that Connecticut game would leave a “sour taste” in the players’ mouths. Whitver says the loss really hurt, and the players want to end their season on a winning note.