West Virginia Outlasts Iowa State, 38-31

The Cyclones are riding a 3 game winning streak into Morgantown, West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers in the 2021 Riot Bowl presented by gasoline cans everywhere. Iowa State enters with a 3-1 Big 12 record, while West Virginia sits at 1-3. It’s a rainy day in the house that John Denver built and the Clonies are -7.5 favorites, let’s roll.

It appears to be “dress like a stadium seat day” in Milan Puskar Stadium, and I must say West Virginia fans are killing it today. Andrew Mevis sends the first kick through the back of the endzone, here comes that ISU defense. 4 plays and a punt was the result of West Virginia’s first possession.

The Cyclones open up shop from the 17, and they waste no time running the Breece Hall touchdown play as he goes 70 to the house to go up 7-0 just 3 and a half minutes into the game! His 20th straight game with a rushing touchdown.

Mevis once again boots a touchback to give the Mountaineers their 2nd crack at offense from their own 25. A strong passing attack from Jarret Doege has them rolling into ISU territory. Leddie Brown continually keeps their drive alive, now into the red zone. TJ Banks fights his way inside the 5 to set up a first and goal, that would eventually lead to a Leddie Brown rushing touchdown, 7-7.

Iowa State starts their second drive from the 25, but Mevis would be called to punt after just 3 plays. West Virginia’s offense yields to a punt as well. Good news, we just got to learn about Caleb Williams and I super don’t care about OU football right now. Better news, first play of Iowa State’s drive, Brock Purdy finds Tarique Milton buck naked for a 68 yard score! 14-7 good guys.

Mevis has his 3rd straight touchback (love to see it), and West Virginia sets up once again from their own 25. A mix of run and pass has the Mountaineers driving, as Jarret Doege finds Bryce Ford-Wheaton in the corner of the endzone to tie the game before the end of the first quarter. Ensuing kickoff sees Jaylin Noel return the ball to the 40 on a 37-yard return, but the Cyclones would be forced to punt. Mountaineer ball on ISU’s 45-yard line.

WVU’s offense could not be stopped, up until they got to the red zone when Jon Heacock decided he had enough. West Virginia held to a field goal despite an efficient offensive drive, 17-14 WVU.

Cyclones with the ball back on their own 30. A heavy dosage of Breece Hall had the offense rolling, but they would eventually be forced to punt once again. Some great punt coverage by ISU sets up West Virginia at their own 18, with just over 6 minutes left in the first half. A few first downs has the Mountaineers moving, but Craig McDonald played the top drill perfectly and intercepts Doege!

Iowa State gets the ball back at their own 35 with 4 minutes to go, but would eventually be forced to punt for the 4th time of the first half. West Virginia shaves some clock, but ISU forces a punt to get the ball back before the break. Brock Purdy leads ISU into field goal range to tie it up, 17 all at the half.

ESPN+ gave us their rankings of candy bars at the half, do what you want with that information.

West Virginia goes with the pooch kick again, ISU opens the 2nd half from their own 34-yard line. 3 and out. WVU now from their 31. After a pass interference and delay of game, West Virginia has 1st and 30. Cyclone vet Jake Hummell says “GIMME THAT” and takes a pick to the house! 24-17, Whirlybirds back up.

The Mountaineer's offense came back with a vengeance, taking hardly any time to march down the field to score a touchdown on a play where the receiver doesn’t even get a foot down! 24, all.

Breece Hall opens up the ISU drive with another 50+ yard rush, and the Cyclones are in scoring range. Everyone and their dog thought Breece was getting the ball on 3rd and goal from the one, but Brock keeps it and takes it in, touchdown Clonies! 31-24, Iowa State.

West Virginia keeps their offense moving, converting 3rd down after 3rd down. Get this, despite snapping the ball after the play clock hits zero to tie the game at 31 just 15 seconds into the 4th quarter. West Virginia gets the ball back and goes up 38-31 via a Leddie Brown rushing touchdown, 38-31 Mountaineers with 9:25 to play.

Cyclones back with the ball from their own 20. Breece Hall leads the drive out to beyond the 50, but Brock Purdy runs for 22 yards to get to the WVU 26. Brock has another huge run to get the ball inside the 1-yard line. Breece up the middle, touchdown! fumbles apparently. First down West Virginia. I’m at a loss for words. Iowa State on the butt end of yet another poor call from the Big 12 officiating crew.

Life goes on and Iowa State gets the ball back with under 4 minutes to play at their own 16. A big pass interference call gets the offense started, and Purdy is doing the thing. A 4th down conversion with 1:30 left keeps the drive alive, but a Brock Purdy fumble sets up a 3rd and long to move the Cyclones back with 48 seconds left from the WVU 39. Brocl Purdy scrambles for a first down is marked shy of the first down marker, and a false start gives Iowa State 4th and 6 with one play left. Despite a solid effort, the ball falls incomplete. 38-31 your final.

ISU moves to 5-3 (3-2) and host Texas next weekend.