ISU looks for better performance in Lincoln

The 23rd ranked Iowa State Cyclones will try to end nearly three decades of frustration when they visit Nebraska in their Big-12 opener. Iowa State has not beaten Nebraska in Lincoln since 1977 and coach Dan McCarney says the first goal for the Cyclones is to stay in the game early. He says they have to make it a four quarter game, something he says they haven’t done since he’s been the coach. He says they’ve done it against Nebraska in Ames, but not Lincoln.McCarney says while the history for ISU in Lincoln has been ugly his players had nothing to do with it. McCarney says it also has nothing to do with Saturday’s game as he says it’ll be two teams going head to head with both teams trying to win.The gap between these two programs has closed. With Nebraska’s recent struggles the mystic is long-gone but McCarney says the Cyclones have also played a role in making this series competitive. He says you have to credit the I-S-u program with making progress and taking steps forward. McCarney says a quick start is always important but even more so on the road. McCarney says one thing he has learned about his team through the first three weeks is that if they don’t play inspired football they won’t succeed. He says they have to have that focus, emotion and excitement to have a chance to win.