Iowa State coach Dan McCarney does not want to talk about his job situation. Expected to contend for the Big-12 North division title the Cyclones dropped to 0-5 in conference play after a 31-10 loss at Kansas State. I-S-U hosts Kansas this weekend and McCarney says he is focused on finishing his 12th season as head coach in a positive way.

McCarney says every ounce in his body right now is focused on winning games for the seniors and the coaches. McCarney says it would be unbelievable to win their last three games and go to a bowl game. McCarney says despite their recent struggles their is not a problem with the attitude of the team. McCarney says that attitude is what makes the losing so hard.

McCarney says the normal problems associated with losing are not present. McCarney says there’s not lack of leadership, no one is throwing in the towel. McCarney says he knows what’s going on with the team and he doesn’t see the problems.

McCarney says he has been through tough times before and he will get through these as well. He says he didn’t take the job to try and lose games, and says they didn’t build the team to go to bowl games and have winning seasons to just turn it around. McCarney says he has a lot of family and friends who he is leaning on and that helps him.

McCarney says running back Stevie Hicks will miss the Kansas game. He will have his injured knee scoped this week. Receiver Todd Blythe may return after missing the game at K-State with a virus. He says Blythe has been a sick as anyone he’s seen.