Two teams looking to bounce back from embarrassing losss collide in Ames Saturday afternoon when Iowa State hosts Oklahoma State in the Big-12 opener for both. The Cyclones are coming off a 10-7 loss at Ohio while the Cowboys were throttled at home 33-7 by South Alabama.

That’s Cyclone senior defensive back Ben Nikkel who says the Cyclones need to play with a sense of urgency that coach Matt Campbell thought they lacked at Ohio.

After finishing 1-2 in nonconference play the Cyclones view the conference opener as a fresh start.

The chore for the defense is taking on an Oklahoma State offense that rotates three quarterbacks.

Iowa State’s defense has played well and is one of the highest ranked units in the country, but Nikkel says there is no frustration with an offense that ranks as one of the nation’s worst.