Iowa State Wrecks Texas Tech

Iowa State and Texas Tech played a football game in Ames today.

The Cyclones won the coin toss and elected to defer. After a good return De’Quan Bowman, the Red Raiders started the day off at their own 31. The Cyclones’ defense forced a quick three-and-out thanks to great plays by Ray Lima and Marcel Spears Jr.

Iowa State took over inside their own 20. After two runs and a pass went for nothing, Corey Dunn had to punt. It was blocked Thomas Leggett, he fell on the ball and scored. 7-0 in favor of Tech.

On the first play of Iowa State’s second possession, Brock Purdy found Tarique Milton for a gain of 14. After a few steady runs by Montgomery, the Cyclones advanced inside the 40. After that, Brock Purdy juked everyone on the field on a 22 yard rush. Once they got inside the red zone, a holding call stalled the drive. Connor Assalley went on to attempt the 37 yarder and it sailed wide left.

Tech picked up several first downs on their second drive, which started on the 20. However, before the Red Raiders could advance too far into Iowa State territory, they forced a punt. A good punt from Tech pinned ISU at their own 9.

Iowa State went three-and-out and was forced to punt out of their own end zone. A shank of a punt gave Texas Tech great field position at the Iowa State 43. A huge first play advanced them to the 26 on a screen pass. They slowly advanced inside the Iowa State 10, but yet another defensive stand forced an attempted field goal. Washington sunk the 28 yard try to make it 10-0 in favor of Taco Tech.

Brock Purdy connected to Tarique Milton to pick up a first down. Shortly after that, Purdy was sacked on the last play of the quarter.

After a lackluster first quarter, the Cyclones trailed 10-0.

Starting the second quarter with a 2nd and 17, Tech made a bonehead late hit, which gave the Cyclones a first down. A big completion to Milton followed by a huge run by Montgomery quickly advanced offense into the red zone. Brock Purdy kept the read option to the one yard line, David Montgomery capped it off with a one yard touchdown.

Texas Tech picked up nine yards on first down, then they stalled. Tech decided to be risky and go for 4th and 1 on their side of the field. Bowman picked up the first on a quarterback sneak. Tech moved into Iowa State territory, they were stopped again and went for it on fourth down. A false start penalty changed their mind and they elected to punt to Tarique Milton.

The Cyclones had a three-and-out and sent their defense back out on the field. A punt by Dunn to the Tech 45 is where the Red Raiders started out their next drive. Shortly after, Jon Heacock’s defense forced a three-and-out.

Iowa State was right back where they started, at their own 11. Brock Purdy started off the possession with a bang, he completed a 41 yard bomb to Hakeem Butler. An unnecessary roughness on Texas Tech was a killer for them, it changed a 3rd and long from midfield to a first down at the 32. A 16 yard completion to Hakeem Butler on third down got Iowa State to the 11 and in striking distance. Charlie Kolar made an incredible catch while being held for the touchdown, Iowa State led 14-10 after the PAT by Assalley.

Kliff’s squad started out at the Tech 15 after a botched kick return, they started to attack the short routes and they were successful. Play after play they moved further into Iowa State territory. A pass to Ja-Deion High got Texas Tech to the one, Alan Bowman finished off the drive with a touchdown on a quarterback sneak.

Texas Tech lead Iowa State at the half, 17-14.

Iowa State opened the half receiving the ball, Kene Nwangwu took it to the Texas Tech 42 and gave them great field position. Penalties on Tech moved Iowa State all the way to the 11. A big loss on first down was something the offense couldn’t recover from, they had to a settle for a field goal. This time, Assalley drilled it, 17-17.

Texas Tech picked up a first down but shortly after, Marcel Spears Jr. picked off Alan Bowman and took it to the house. The second year in a row where Spears had a pick six against Kliff Kingbury.

The kickoff went out of bounds, so Tech took over at their own 35. The offense trotted down the field with several third down conversions, on their last third down attempt, Antoine Wesley caught a 31 yard pass for a touchdown.

The game was tied at 24, Iowa State got the ball back after a touchback. Purdy completed a pass across the middle to Milton, that play got them to the 50. Following that, Purdy under threw Hakeem Butler, but he made an incredible catch. Butler got to the Raiders 7 yard line. David Montgomery capped the 7 play, 75 yard drive with his second 1 yard touchdown of the game.

A holding on the the kick return pinned Texas Tech at their own 10. A 20 yard pass from Bowman to T.J. Vasher quickly made up for that. Despite that big play, Iowa State still forced a punt after that. A booming 56 yard punt by Panazzolo pinned ISU at their own 9.

To open up the drive, Montgomery had two rushes to pick up a first down. However, Iowa State was forced to punt after picking up one first down. Corey Dunn punted to the opposite 35.

Texas Tech advanced the ball deep in Iowa State territory thanks to a couple trick plays. However, on a failed trick play, they took an intentional grounding and it tainted their drive. The defense stopped them and forced a punt from the ISU 34. Once again, Iowa State was pinned deep, this time at the 4.

Brock Purdy got sacked in the end zone and fumbled the ball, Texas Tech fell on it and tied the game at 31.

Iowa State appeared to have another three-and-out, but they got bailed out again on a roughing the passer penalty. A drop by Hakeem Butler on third down stopped the drive and Iowa State had to give Tech the ball back.

Texas Tech started their drive at the 21, they picked up a quick first down to the 35. Another first down by the Tech offense moved the ball to midfield. When the defense needed a stop most, they got one. Marcel Spears Jr. picked off Bowman again, he returned it to the Red Raider 48.

After a false start made a 3rd and manageable, third and long, Brock Purdy scrambled 14 yards to pick up the first down. Iowa State couldn’t capitalize on this, they were forced to punt again. Texas Tech took the ball over at the 11.

Once again, the Iowa State defense was resilient. A three-and-out with 6:15 remaining forced by the Cyclone defense. Tarique Milton had a fair catch at his own 45 and the offense had another stab at it. A couple runs and a missed pass interference call caused Iowa State to give it right back.

The Red raiders took over at the 15. On the first snap, Bowman fumbled and had to scramble. The result of the scramble was an intentional grounding call, resulting in a safety. The third safety in as many games gave Iowa State a 33-31 lead.

Iowa State got the ball leading, needing to milk the clock. David Montgomery wasted no time with a 25 yard run to the Tech 49. On 3rd and 8, Brock Purdy threw a dime to Hakeem Butler, the star wideout caught it and ran in for the 48 yard touchdown. Iowa State led 40-31.

Texas Tech got the ball and needed to score quick, instead Bowman threw his third pick of the day. This time Greg Eisworth got him.

Iowa State would proceed to run out the clock and beat Texas Tech 40-31.

Brock Purdy played his worst game yet, he made a couple freshman mistakes. But he also made huge throws when they needed one most.

It wasn’t the easiest day for David Montgomery, he didn’t have very many holes to run through, but he still ended up with 125 yards.

Tarique Milton led the team in receptions seven, but Butler led the team in yards with 148 on four receptions. Charlie Kolar also pitched in with a touchdown.

The defense performed extremely well again, only allowing 17 points (other 14 were special teams and defensive score.) Marcel Spears Jr. had two interceptions and Greg Eisworth had one. Willie Harvey stuck to me on, he was in on almost every play.

This wasn’t the prettiest win you will ever see, but it was a very important one. They made a lot of mistakes, but they responded to the adversity in a huge win.

Up next for Iowa State is a game in Lawrence, Kansas next week at 11 AM.