The Cyclones are Liberty Bowl Champs!

After one of the most entertaining, nervewracking, infuriating, and satsifying games of the year, our Iowa State Cyclones are Liberty Bowl Champions.

That felt good to type.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Kyle Kempt hit Hakeem Butler on a long seam pass down the middle of the field for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Following consecutive punts by Memphis and Iowa State, Memphis marched back down the field to tie the game up on an Anthony Miller screen pass-turned-touchdown.

ISU took a touchdown lead following a Joel Lanning keeper before Memphis drive down the field to hit a field goal, and the ‘Clones took a 14-10 lead into the break.

Memphis took the first half kickoff, and promptly drove down the field to take a 17-14 lead.

Iowa State eventually retook a 21-17 lead after Allen Lazard caught a Kyle Kempt pass that that was tipped by a defender.

Memphis drove back down the field and a hit a field goal to pull the game back to 21-20.

It wouldnt have been a true Iowa State football game without some controversy though. After not losing a football all season, David Montgomery “fumbled“ the ball after crossing the plane. After the review, the refs incorrectly ruled the fumble to stand.

No matter though, as Iowa State made one final, critical defensive stand to finish the game.

Stay tuned to WRNL as we unpack this bowl game and season throughout next week.