Five Key Plays From Oklahoma State's Loss at Iowa State
In this story:
Oklahoma State lost a tight one against Iowa State, and a few plays swung the game in the Cyclones’ favor.
The Cowboys’ first conference battle was filled with action and, surprisingly, quite a few points. The Cyclones finished with a 34-27 win to move both teams to 2-2 in what could be a rough season for each.
Ollie Gordon’s Big Run
The game started just as many thought it would, with the first four possessions ending in punts, including three three-and-outs. Then, Gordon quickly showed why so many were eager to see him get more touches.
Gordon rattled off a 71-yard run to put OSU deep in enemy territory. The longest play of the game set up OSU’s first touchdown as Alan Bowman took it himself for a 12-yard score to cap off the two-play scoring drive.
Iowa State’s Fourth-Down Strike
After the Cowboys’ scoring drive, the Cyclones were on a productive drive of their own. A 30-yard Rocco Becht pass to Jaylin Noel on the first play of the drive put the Cyclones across midfield.
It was not their last connection of the drive.
OSU clamped down defensively and forced a fourth-and-three after three straight ISU runs. But the OSU defenders could not hold them for one more play as they allowed Jaylin Noel to easily get behind them, wide open into the endzone to get ISU on the board with a 38-yard catch.
A Crushing Penalty
After an Alex Hale field goal brought the Cowboys back within one score, the Cyclones started a drive from their own 25. On first down, Becht threw an impressive pass to Noel for a gain of 20.
Collin Oliver drilled Becht on the play to draw a roughing-the-passer penalty, and the play was even reviewed for targeting. Although targeting was not called, ISU still ended up on the OSU 40, and Eli Sanders found the endzone five plays later to go up 34-20.
OSU Stays Alive
Time was running out on OSU and new full-time starter Bowman, trailing by two touchdowns. With under three minutes to go, OSU faced a fourth-and-one on ISU’s 20-yard line.
Bowman rolled out to the left side and threw a ball toward Rashod Owens at the goal line. Owens corralled the throw and brought the Cowboys back to within seven points, still with all three timeouts.
Cyclones’ Defense Ends It
ISU went three-and-out and was forced to punt it back to OSU with over two minutes remaining. Bowman’s connection with De’Zhaun Stribling for a first down pushed OSU across the 50.
But after three straight incompletions, Bowman tried to get it to Talyn Shettron, with the Cowboys needing 10 yards to stay alive. Instead, T.J. Tampa intercepted the pass and sealed the Cyclones’ second straight home win over the Cowboys.
Although there were more positives to take away from this game than the previous, the Cowboys finished with a loss in what may have been their most winnable Big 12 game.
Want to join the discussion? Like AllPokes on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.
