CYCLONES BLOW AWAY SOONERS, 37-30

Saturday night saw Iowa State welcome No. 18 Oklahoma to Jack Trice Stadium in front of 15,000 fans under the lights, in what was one of the biggest primetime games in school history. The Cyclones were in the all black uniforms while the Sooners were in all white.

To begin ABC’s Saturday Night Primetime matchup, Oklahoma and Iowa State’s offenses came out ready to play. Both sides traded opening drive field goals tying the game at three early in the first quarter.

Oklahoma’s offense continued to roll, as it looked like a touchdown was imminent on its second possession. A drive that saw 60 Sooners rushing yards was capped off from a five yard Spencer Rattler rushing touchdown. The Sooners led 10-3 just over midway through the first quarter.

The offensive fireworks continued, as Iowa State answered with a scoring drive of its own. Unfortunately it was only a field goal. The Cyclones’ 11 play 4:14 drive stalled out in the redzone. Connor Assalley’s 26 yard field goal made the game 6-10 to begin the second quarter.

The following drive saw Iowa State’s early defensive struggles continue. Spencer Rattler continued to carve up the Cyclones’ secondary, as he finished a seven play three minute drive with a four yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Hall. 17-6 Sooners 11:49 remaining in the first half.

After ISU and OU traded the game’s first two punts, the Cyclones recorded an six play 85 yard drive resulting in a two yard Breece Hall rushing touchdown. Along the way Dylan Soehner found Chase Allen for a 28 yard TE to TE trick play. Iowa State trailed 13-17 with 3:53 remaining in the half.

Oklahoma’s final first half drive ended with a missed 54 yard field goal. Iowa State trailed 13-17 heading into the lockeroom.

To begin the second half the Cyclones opened with a 6:14 drive lasting 11 plays. A combination of negative plays and silly penalties forced Iowa State to settle for a 32 yard Assalley field goal. The kick was converted making cutting to OU lead to one, 16-17 with 8:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Oklahoma answered with a long drive of its own lasting 6:18. After dink and dunking their way down the field, the Cyclones defense held the Sooners to a 33 yard field goal. OU led 20-16 with 2:01 left in the third quarter.

On the following drive Xavier Hutchinson broke the games touchdown drought. The transfer WR caught a 65 yard touchdown from Brock Purdy to take the lead 23-20 with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter.

John Heacock’s stout second half defense continued to give Oklahoma trouble. The Sooners’ usually prolific offense was forced to settle for a 51 yard field goal, which Gabe Brkic would make for his third field goal of the game. The score was 23-23 with 12:48 remaining.

The following drive saw Oklahoma get pressure on Brock Purdy forcing a strip sack on the junior QB for the game’s first turnover. The Sooners had the ball on the Cyclones 39 yard line with just over 10 minutes left in the ball game.

Spencer Rattler and OU’s offense wasted no time. It took the Sooners only four plays until Rattler connected with Jermiah Hall for his second receiving score of the game. ISU trailed 30-23 with 8:17 remaining.

Kene Nwangwu was not ready to pack it in. The senior RB returned the kick 84 yards to the Oklahoma 14 yard line. It then took three plays for Brock Purdy to find the endzone, as he added six to the scoreboard on a two yard scamper. Tie ball game just under eight to go.

After forcing an Oklahoma punt, Breece Hall wanted to do his best to finish the game. After three plays led by a 36 yard Hall run, the sophomore running back finished the drive with a eight yard score. Cyclones led, 37-30 with just over four minutes left.

After Oklahoma’s best attempt to save the game, Isheem Young intercepted a Rattler long ball, to all but end this one.

Ultimately Iowa State’s ability to slow down the Sooners’ rushing attack and limit their usual explosive plays proved to be instrumental in taking home the win. Breece Hall’s 28 carries for 139 rushing yards and two scores on the offensive end was too much for the Sooners.

Iowa State will travel to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m. next Saturday.