Iowa State entered Milan Puskar Stadium very much in the conversation for the Big 12 Championship race on Saturday, as they faced a West Virginia team that had been struggling most of the season. Iowa State exited Saturday with their fate left up to others in the Big 12 Conference, following a surprising loss.
The Cyclones entered Saturday without star linebacker Mike Rose, who missed the game due to injury. However, the Cyclones started fast on offense, as Breece Hall took Iowa State’s 3rd play 70 yards for a touchdown, to put them ahead 7-0. West Virginia answered with a sustained drive of their own, capped off by a 2-yard touchdown by Leddie Brown to knot the score at 7. Iowa State then hit another big play, on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to Tarique Milton to put the Cyclones up 14-7. The Mountaineers answered with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jarret Doege to Bryce Ford-Wheaton to tie the score at 14. Both teams traded field goals to end the 1st half, with the score at 17-17.
Iowa State’s defense forced a big play to start the 2nd half, as Jake Hummel picked off a Jarret Doege pass, and ran it back 24 yards for a touchdown, to put the score at 24-17. West Virginia answered with a swift offensive drive, capped off by a 23-yard touchdown pass from Jarret Doege to Bryce Ford-Wheaton, to tie the score at 24-24. Iowa State would put together a similar ensuing drive, finished off by a 1-yard Brock Purdy run, to give the Cyclones a 31-24 lead. West Virginia would again answer on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Doege to Winston Wright Jr., to tie the score at 31 all. Following a Cyclone punt, the Mountaineers struck again, as Leddie Brown punched in a 2-yard touchdown, to give West Virginia a 38-31 lead. Iowa State pushed the ball inside the Mountaineers 5, but a questionable call and review lead to a Breece Hall fumble that was recovered by West Virginia. The Cyclones would get one more crack, but were unable to convert as they lost 38-31.
Iowa State fell to 5-3 with the loss, and 3-2 in the conference, and will host the Texas Longhorns on Saturday at 6:30 PM from Jack Trice Stadium.