McCarney’s first four years produced records of 3-8, 2-9, 1-10 and 3-8. He wanted a contract renewal, and Iowa State was slow to act. Finally, Gene Smith—an athletic director who won’t ever be known as one of the greatest in school history—gave Dan the renewal he wanted.

Now Iowa State needs to show McCarney how much it appreciates the hard work he has done for a university that – not all that long ago – was characterized as a place no up-and-coming coach wanted to stay for very long.

A coaching graveyard – that’s what it was.

It was what Kansas State was before Bill Snyder got there.

I recall talking to Johnny Majors, who was getting the Cyclone program rolling in the early 1970s. I told him that Iowa State history said, "Win and get out.’’

Majors agreed. He got out. He went to Pittsburgh and later Tennessee – after a second consecutive bowl game with Iowa State in 1972.

The same with Earle Bruce, his successor. Following 8-3, 8-4 and 8-4 records and two consecutive bowl appearances with Iowa State, he was gone. Ohio State called. Bruce packed his bags in 1978.

Van De Velde had better do the things necessary to keep McCarney from bolting after a 2002 season that’s going to continue to be very productive—and I say that realizing heavyweight opponents such as Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas State and Colorado await his team later this fall.

There are some schools that would consider McCarney a very attractive coaching choice down the road. One is Michigan State, where Bobby Williams, whose team was blitzed by California, 46-22, Saturday, is obviously in over his head. Another is Wisconsin, where Barry Alvarez won’t be coaching forever. That’s where McCarney was the defensive coordinator before coming to Ames.

"Unbelievable!’’ Butler said after Iowa State stormed back from a 24-7 halftime deficit to win. "I’m the happiest guy you’ll ever meet. Five in a row (over Iowa)....and I couldn’t be more proud to be associated with the Iowa State Cyclones and Coach Dan McCarney for giving me the opportunity to play here.

"It was probably the biggest victory I’ve ever had as a Cyclone. Iowa came out fired up and ready to go. They had something to prove because they hadn’t won against us for four years.

"We came in and regrouped. We said, ‘Hey, if we can do it against Florida State, we can do it against anybody in the nation. We got ‘em on their heels, they made a couple of mistakes and we capitalized on every one of their mistakes.’’

Butler said, "I love playing against Iowa and I love the competition. There was no greater feeling than walking out as a captain in my hometown. I don’t hate Iowa, I respect them so much. They have a great ballclub.

"I’m not going to take anything away from them, but I’m 5-0 against them.’’

At halftime, Butler said, "it was a collective deal’’ that repaired Iowa State’s wreckage.

"Every was yelling, everybody was screaming—saying that ain’t our football style,’’ he commented. "That’s not how we play Cyclone football.’’

Butler said it was important for the Cyclones to put the ball into the end zone on on their first drive of the third quarter.

"We made some great passes,’’ he said. "We were able to do it last year on them, and we did it this year on them. We had problems running the ball. Norm Parker (Iowa’s defensive coordinator) had a great defensive scheme, just like he did last year. But we were able to run the ball when we had to.’’

The Cyclones totaled only 85 yards rushing to 222 for Iowa. Fifty were by Hiawatha Rutland, 30 by quarterback Seneca Wallace.

But Wallace had some Heisman Trophy-type passing numbers. He completed 23 of 37 for 361 yards and one touchdown.

"I’ll tell you what, Seneca is a hell of a player. He’s unbelievable.’’

"They have a great team,’’ he said of Iowa. "Coach (Kirk) Ferentz has done a great job. I’ll tell you what, they’re going to be battling for the Big Ten title, and we all know that.

"But don’t count us out. We’re going to be battling in the Big 12 North. We have a hell of a team. We can compete and play with anybody in the nation. We proved that already, going into Kinnick Stadium—one of the hardest places to play, coming back from a 24-7 deficit.

"I’ll tell you what, don’t count us out, man. We’re going 15 rounds every time we play.’’

Wallace said Iowa State didn’t panic when it fell behind in the first two half.

"We’d been in that situation before,’’ he explained. "After the Florida State game (a 38-31 Cyclone loss), we knew we were capable of coming back. Hitting a couple of passes and keeping Iowa on its heels got us started.’’

Eight of Wallace’s completions were to Jack Whitver for 132 yards. Five were to Lane Danielsen for 131 yards.

He and his teammates made more sense afterward than some of the fans on the Internet message boards who were quickly ready to blame Ferentz’s lack of emotion on the sideline and offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe’s second-half play-calling in the second half for the defeat.

Nelson, a senior from Emmetsburg said, however, that the Hawkeyes’ fifth consecutive loss to Iowa State "no doubt hurts.’’

Nelson said the Cyclones’ defense made some good adjustments in the second half, and Iowa’s offensive line wasn’t able to duplicate the huge holes it opened in the first 30 minutes.

"Good teams do that,’’ he said. "Iowa State is a good team. We understood that this wasn’t a one-half kind of game. We knew they were down a lot of points against Florida State and were able to come back.’’

Nelson said the loss early in the second half of running back Fred Russell to a shoulder injury was big.

Russell ran for 133 yards in 15 carries in the first half, but had only six yards in one carry the rest of the way.

"He’s a great player,’’ Nelson said. "Anytime you lose someone like him, it hurts.’’