A loss to Oklahoma a week later only intensified the shock and malaise that hung over the program. Texas fell out of the Top 25 for the first time in a decade.

After a month on the road, No. 22 Texas returned home today a much happier bunch following a big victory at Nebraska. Texas (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) hosts Iowa State (3-4, 1-2) today in the first of five home games in the second half of the season.

“We’ve got to redeem ourselves at home,” defensive tackle Alex Okafor said.

The 34-12 loss to UCLA snapped a 16-game home wining streak and left Texas badly shaken. Coach Mack Brown left the stadium that day apologizing to Texans fans for the “embarrassing” display, and his team went out the next week and lost, 28-20, to Oklahoma.

Brown often talks about the swagger of typical Texas teams, swagger that disappeared until the Longhorns beat Nebraska. That victory on the road allowed the players to strut around campus again.

“You can definitely feel the difference as far as the spirits being higher. It feels good to get back on track,” receiver James Kirkendoll said.

Brown said it was good for his players to get out of Texas for a week.

“One even told me it’s unusual to go somewhere where a whole state hates you. I think our guys respond really well in that situation. They never panic,” Brown said. “(But) we need our fans. This team needs our fans. Some of our teams have not, but this team needs our fans.”

The Cyclones looked dangerous after beating Texas Tech, 52-38, back on Oct. 2. But two crushing losses to No. 9 Utah (68-27) and No. 3 Oklahoma (52-0) followed.

“When both sides of the ball play bad, there’s really nothing you can do,” Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud said of the loss to Oklahoma.

It doesn’t look to get much better for Cyclones.

Texas is the fourth ranked team on the schedule, with two more, Nebraska and Missouri, still to play.