Iowa State Thrashes West Virginia in Riot Bowl

Iowa State picked up a huge win on a brisk October night.

West Virginia started off with the ball, after a run and a big screen pass moved the ball to midfield, the Cyclones defense forced a stop.

Iowa States took over at their own 18, after two runs and an incompletion, they went three-and-out.

Once again, West Virginia picked up one first down before being stopped. This time, Greg Eisworth sacked Will Grier for a 16 yard loss. West Virginia punter, Billy Kinney, punted to the Iowa State 39.

On the first play of Iowa State’s second possesion, Brock Purdy’s pass was intercepted by Dravon Askew-Henry. Kennedy McCoy started off their third drive with a 26 yard rush to the Iowa State 18. West Virginia capitalized with a touchdown from Will Grier to David Sills.

After the touchdown, West Virginia did a pooch kick to Johnnie Lang Jr. who returned it to the ISU 35. Brock Purdy redeemed himself with a 15 yard rush to advance the ball to midfield. The offense came to a halt and was faced with a 4th and 1, they handed the ball off to Montgomery, he went 37 yards to the four yard line. On the first play in the red zone, Hakeem Butler caught a four yard touchdown from Purdy.

After Iowa State tied it up, West Virginia tried bounce back. They started at the 16, the defense stepped up and forced a three-and-out. David Montgomery had another huge run, this time 24 yards to the Mountaineer 29. A few more first downs advanced the ball to the two, David Montgomery capped off the six play, 53 yard drive. However, Connor Assalley missed the point after.

For the second straight drive, West Virginia punted. Tarique Milton returned the ball 21 yards to their own 41. Two penalties tainted big plays for the Cyclones. Butler then had an 18 yard reception to offset the earlier penalties. Nwangwu had a 12 yard rush for a first that involved him getting face masked. That penalty advanced the Cyclones inside the red zone. For the third time in a row, they capitalized. This time, Brock Purdy threw a 19 yard touchdown to Charlie Kolar.

Leading 20-7, the Cyclone defense had the duty of stopping the Mountaineer offense from the 13. Jaquan Bailey sacked Grier back at the 3. West Virginia advanced the ball near a first down, but the Iowa State defense was resilient once again.

Iowa State had a 3rd and 11 early on the drive, they picked up the first and more after a 38 yard reception from Hakeem Butler. Brock Purdy overthrew Deshaunte Jones and appeared to be picked off, but a review was overturned and Assalley was on to attempt the field goal. The 39 yard field goal was blocked and returned for a touchdown by West Virginia.

A late hit on West Virginia pushed their kickoff back 15 yards, Iowa State was rewarded with good field position at the 34. Iowa State went three-and-out. Corey Dunn’s second punt of the day went to the WVU 21. Will Grier scrambled for a first down, but the defense stood tall after that. West Virginia punted to the ISU 18, which is where Iowa State finished off the half with a kneel. They went into the locker room leading 20-14.

Since Iowa State deferred in the first half, they received the second half kickoff. Iowa State slowly moved the ball to pick up a couple first downs before a 23 yard completion to Matthew Eaton. West Virginia stopped Iowa State after that completion and forced a 4th and 7. Connor Assalley left the 46 yard field short, West Virginia took over at the 29.

The Iowa State defense made a much needed stop and got the ball back at their own 16. Tarique Milton had back to back receptions for first downs. A penalty halted Iowa State’s momentum, but they caught a big break on an ill-advised pass interference on West Virginia. Kene Nwangwu picked up a first down on a creative jet sweep, and then a chop block moved Iowa State back to their side of the field. Penalties once again doomed an Iowa State drive, forcing them to punt on 4th and 11.

Corey Dunn punted to the 11, which is where the Mountaineers take over. After a holding penalty forced a second and long, a screen pass got West Virginia to 3rd and three. But yet again, the Cyclone stood tall and held them.

After the conclusion of the third quarter, Iowa State led 20-14. A 19 yard completion to Hakeem Butler and 21 yard rush for Montgomery advanced Iowa State into enemy territory. A beautiful throw and catch from Purdy to Deshaunte Jones resulted in a 32 yard touchdown. A pass to Matthew Eaton for the two point conversion made it 28-14.

West Virginia took over at their own 25. Marcel Spears Jr. had a sack for an 8 yard loss, on third and long D’Andre Payne picked off Will Grier at the ISU 44.

The offense stalled slightly, but on 3rd and 10 the Cyclones went deep and were rewarded when a pass interference went their way. After that however, a pass interference didn’t go their way, the Cyclones went into a 3rd and long. They didn’t convert, Corey Dunn pinned West Virginia at their own eight.

After picking up a first down and advancing to the 19, Mike Rose sacked Grier to make it third and long. On the 3rd and 24, West Virginia held in the end zone, resulting in a safety. 30-14 lead for Iowa State, and they got the ball at their own 26.

Iowa State ran the ball a lot, to milk the clock. After several runs, they kneeled and the fans stormed the field.

West Virginia was held to just one offensive touchdown, an impressive performance for an offense that has scored 41.4 points per game. Every single player stepped up on the defense to hold Heisman candidate, Will Grier, to just 100 yards passing.

Brock Purdy played great, yet again. He had 254 yards passing with three touchdowns. David Montgomery complimented him in the back field in a huge way, the star running back had 29 carries for 189 yards. Hakeem Butler had one of his best games as a Cyclone, he had 107 yards on 6 catches.

This game was a team effort, no doubt about it. Every single position on the field stepped up when needed. You have to tip your hats to the coaching staff and players, but most importantly, the electrifying crown at Jack Trice Stadium.

The next time we will see Iowa State is at home on October 27 against Texas Tech.