November 7, 2004 'CLONES & MOANS Anemic Huskers stumble in Ames, lose 34-27 to Iowa State By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com The Big 12 North is most definitely down this season. And as a once- mighty member of the Big 12 North, so are the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Down in a major way. Now, with Saturday's loss to Iowa State, Big Red is nearly down and out. In the battle for 1st place in the North on Saturday at Jack Trice Field in Ames, the Huskers had a furious 4th quarter rally that came oh-so-close to beating the Cyclones, but it wasn't to be. Iowa State held on for a 34-27 win over Nebraska and now controls its own destiny in the North. Win the rest of its games and ISU will be playing in the Big 12 championship game on December 4. Say what? Hard to believe Nebraska is still in a first place tie in the North, and at the same time could finish with a losing record. A bowl game is a major "if" now and Husker fans from Omaha to Scottsbluff are boiling. Too bad the Huskers couldn't latch onto some of that fan emotion in their lackluster performance in Ames. Iowa State jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead in the first quarter, and until late in the 4th quarter, never looked back. NU special teams were anything but special on Saturday. A blocked field goal, a missed field goal, a blocked extra point. Even if Nebraska had somehow scored one more touchdown in the fourth quarter, the earlier missed kicks would have made the game overtime at best. Iowa State came into the game with the Big 12's worst offense, yet was able to move at ease on the Blackshirts. By the way, are they still called Blackshirts? Former members of the legendary Blackshirts would more than likely beg to differ. Nebraska drops to 5-4 (3-3). Iowa State improves to 5-4 (3-3). The Huskers limp into Norman, Oklahoma next Saturday to play arch-rival Oklahoma. The undefeated and 2nd-ranked Sooners are on target to make mince meat out of Big Red. We're hoping for a miracle. Feedback NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS vs. IOWA STATE CYCLONES GAME STORIES & LINKS 11-07-04: NU punchless on road again More from Omaha World-Herald 11-07-04: Callahan says game plan was to throw against ISU More from Omaha World-Herald 11-07-04: Huskers fall flat in Ames More from Lincoln Journal-Star 11-07-04: Losing to ISU really cooked NU's goose Lincoln Journal-Star column 11-07-04: Iowa State cys up Blackshirts More from Grand Island Independent 11-07-04: Nebraska - Iowa State video highlights More from KOLN/KGIN-TV 11-07-04: Leading Role: Third straight win gives Cyclones edge in Big 12 North race More from Des Moines Register 11-07-04: Listless Huskers fall flat More from Grand Island Independent Nebraska Football '04 Schedule / Results Huskers on ESPN.com Husker Hot Pics Photos from AP Husker Game Watch Locations Nationwide