Iowa State's offense has struggled much of this season.

However, you won't catch Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove overlooking the Cyclones today.

Although Iowa State ranks last in the Big 12 and 108th nationally in total offense, Cosgrove said, "I think they have a lot of weapons."

Foremost on Cosgrove's mind is quarterback Bret Meyer, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound redshirt freshman from Atlantic, Iowa.

Meyer directs an attack that features a variety of formations and includes a heavy dose of option plays.

"Their quarterback is a special player," Cosgrove said. "He has a lot of ability."

Meyer operates behind a line that has struggled. The Cyclones have allowed 25 sacks this season.

 However, "They have some big receivers who can go up and catch the ball, a big running back (Stevie Hicks of Omaha) who'll fight for the tough yards, and they have a very good scheme to try to keep you off-balance."

URGENCY: Husker senior guard Jake Andersen feels a sense of urgency as his college career enters its final stages. That's why he hopes his teammates match the emotion with which they played in last week's home win against Missouri. "We played pretty well last week, and this week's game is just as big as last week's," said Andersen, one of 15 seniors on NU's two-deep chart. "If we don't win this game, we won't get to some of our goals. We have to take it one week at a time, and no matter who we're playing or where we're playing, we're going to have to have great emotion."

TURNOVER COUNT: Although Husker quarterback Joe Dailey is only 7-for-29 passing in the last two games, he drew praise from his coaches this week for cutting down on interceptions. After throwing 12 interceptions in the first five games, Dailey has thrown only one in the last three contests. "I think it's a matter of seeing things a little clearer," Dailey said. He also indicated he's taking fewer risks. "Playing percentages is a big part of my game now," he said.

CARDINAL CREDITS NU COACHES: In the latest Sports Illustrated, Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has high praise for Husker strength and conditioning coaches Dave Kennedy and Dave Langworthy. The former Pitt star worked out in Lincoln for eight weeks before the NFL season. "These guys never stop pushing me," Fitzgerald told SI. "That's why I always go back to them." Among other drills, the Husker coaches had Fitzgerald running 30- and 60-yard sprints with a parachute attached to his body.

ETC.: Nebraska has a commanding 81-15-2 lead in its all-time series with Iowa State, including wins in 10 of the last 11 games. … The Cyclones, however, captured the teams' last meeting in Ames, a 36-14 decision in 2002, the Huskers' second loss in a 7-7 season. … Nebraska beat ISU 28-0 last year in Lincoln after racing to a 21-0 first-quarter lead with the help of two blocked punts.

— Steven M. Sipple and John Mabry