Iowa State coach Dan McCarney says despite a rash of injuries and a three-game losing streak, the Cyclones are not losing hope. I-S-U takes a 2-3 record on the road to play a Texas Tech team that beat Texas A&M 59-28 this past weekend. He says they’ve lost to three teams that’re a combined 16-1 and there’s no embarrassment in that. But, McCarney says they’re disappointed and need to find a way to keep improving. The Cyclones have played three consecutive rated foes and McCarney says Tech should be the fourth, as they rank highly in several categories.McCarney says I-S-U officials may petition for a sixth year of elIgibility for running back Hiawatha Rutland who underwent surgery today (Monday) to repair a knee injured in the game at Northern Illinois. He says the most important thing is whether Rutland can come back and have a chance to play again. If he can, McCarney says Rutland wants to petition for another year. After missing the previous two games with a knee injury, Tony Yelk returned against Oklahoma and averaged over 41-yards on eight punts.Yelk says they need to get some things figured out to get back on the winning track. He says they have a chance to beat anyone on the schedule. Yelk says the punting game will be important against Tech. He says it’s a third of the game and can play a huge role in field position. Yelk says the Cyclones are frustrated but at the same time remain motivated, because he says they know they haven’t played up to their potential.
