LINCOLN, NEB. ? Now that Nebraska has sole possession of first place in the Big 12 North, the Cornhuskers will have to win their first conference road game to keep it.

The Huskers (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) play at Iowa State today, and Nebraska coach Bill Callahan called the Cyclones a team that is “ascending in every respect.”

“Last week’s game was a good win for us,” Callahan said about Nebraska’s 24-3 victory over Missouri. “It was a must-win for us, and we look at this week as no different. So we’re going to have to muster up all the emotion and energy again as we get on the road to play a competitive team.”

Iowa State (4-4, 2-3) scraped by Baylor and Kansas the past two weeks, moving into contention in the Big 12 North.

The Huskers made their move at home last weekend, beating the Tigers behind some stout defense and key plays by their special teams.

But Nebraska’s only win away from Lincoln this season was at Pittsburgh, a 24-17 victory on Sept. 18. The Huskers are 0-2 in away games since, losing by a combined 115-31 at Texas Tech and Kansas State.