Well, that one stung. At least 3 times during the game, I thought it was all over. Yet, each time, it wasn’t. That’s what made this edition of the Cy-Hawk series so good. Like the outcome or not, we can all agree that today’s game was an instant classic.

Recap

After a picture-perfect start to the game, including a spectacular catch in the endzone by Allen Lazard to put the Cyclones up 7-0, the Hawks found the endzone twice more before the end of the half through a pair of Nathan Stanley TD passes. Iowa’s vaunted running was largely contained throughout the first half, but the defense eventually started looking tired and gave up some decent gains on off-tackle and stretch running plays.

After receiving the second half kickoff, the Hawks marched down the field again again and finished the drive off with an Akrum Wadley touchdown. The Hawks had all the momentum and appeared to be headed towards a comfortable win. Then, the Cyclones responded with a long drive ending in another Allen Lazard touchdown catch. After forcing a punt on the following Iowa possession, Iowa State drove down the field again, finishing the drive off with a 30 yard touchdown pass to Hakeem Butler on 4th-and-1, giving the Cyclones a 24-21 lead.

Following another forced Iowa punt, Iowa State drove the length of the field AGAIN, capping the drive off with possibly David Montgomery’s most beastly run to date, shaking off 4 tacklers (including All-American linebacker Josey Jewell, who got straight up trucked) and a facemask penalty, giving the ‘Clones a 31-21 lead. The next Iowa possession resulted in a 92 yard drive for the Hawks, ending on Nathan Stanley’s 3rd TD pass of the day. On the next Iowa State possession, Jacob Park threw an interception, giving Iowa fantastic field position to try to take the lead. The Cyclones defense stayed strong, however, and forced an Iowa field goal.

With the score tied with just over four minutes left in the game, Jacob Park connected with Hakeem Butler on a 74 yard TD pass to give the Cyclones a 7-point lead. After slowly gaining yardage on the next position Nathan Stanley found Akrum Wadley on an underneath route, which Wadley promptly took to the endzone on a spectacular run after the catch.

Overtime.

The Cyclones couldn’t get much going on offense in the first overtime, connecting on a field goal after a Hakeem Butler drop which would have set Iowa State up with a 4th and 1. After a few short run plays, Nathan Stanley found Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the endzone for his 5th touchdown pass of the day, sealing the game for the Hawks.

Next Saturday, Iowa State heads to Akron to take on the Zips at 11 AM on CBS Sports.