Ames, Ia. - A tackle here, or a pass completion there.

That's all it might have taken to alter the outlook of Iowa State's football season.

The Cyclones (2-9) enter Saturday's finale at Kansas State (4-7) saddled with nine consecutive losses.

But four of those games were still in doubt during the fourth quarter. A couple of others may have hinged on a play or two in the second or third quarter.

"It's hurt us this year," quarterback Austen Arnaud said. "Just being (unable) to capitalize on our opportunities.

"That's what we're going to have to get better at in the future."

Arnaud blames himself for a missed opportunity against then-No. 16 Kansas on Oct. 4.

The Cyclones recovered an onside kick and needed to drive 30 yards for a possible game-winning field goal. Hopes for an upset ended when Arnaud's final pass sailed just beyond the reach of R.J. Sumrall.

"It was fourth down and they kind of gave us the vertical on the sideline," Arnaud said. "I kind of over-shot him. I think if R.J. makes that catch ... woulda, coulda, shoulda."

Former Cyclone quarterback Phillip Bates left the team a few days later and Arnaud settled into a leadership position. In his past four games, Arnaud has completed 62.1 percent of his passes for an average of 288 yards per game.

More importantly, the sophomore from Ames is improving each week.

"We have some diversity on offense," Arnaud said. "We've got to be able to keep the pedal down at all times."

Place-kicking was a preseason concern for Iowa State, until Grant Mahoney arrived. The true freshman from Marion is 16-of-23 on field goals and converted all 30 of his extra points.

His most notable whiff came on the second-half kickoff against Baylor.

The Bears buried any chances of a Cyclone comeback by returning it 93 yards for a touchdown, extending their lead to 28-3.

"I was right there and wished I could have made the tackle," Mahoney said, "because I've never had anyone run one back on me.

"I was a little angry about that."

Mahoney reacted with a more aggressive approach to kick coverage.

"Early in the season, I was kind of hanging back, close to the 30-yard line. I wasn't really hustling down there," Mahoney said. "Coaches started to get on me. So I've tried to make a better effort of trying to fill in the gaps."

Leonard Johnson, a freshman cornerback, was kicking himself when Iowa State lost in overtime 34-31 at Nevada-Las Vegas.

The Rebels' winning score came on a heave to the end zone. Johnson was forced to watch from the sideline, because he had been ejected for a late hit in the first quarter.

"I don't really know how to explain this," Johnson said, "but if I could change just one particular play ... I'd say it would have to be the UNLV game."

Johnson, one of more than two dozen freshmen or sophomores listed on Iowa State's two-deep depth chart, learned to temper his tenacity. He's made two interceptions and ranks fourth on the team with 44 tackles.

"If that would have been different," Johnson said of the UNLV loss, "we probably would have gotten our momentum back, and gone on a stretch from there."

Arnaud, Mahoney and Johnson are now focusing on a turnaround.

"I think we will win games," Arnaud said. "We need to learn how to win, first of all."