Quarterback Sam Richardson doesn’t throw a lot of interceptions, so when he threw two against Texas on Oct. 18, it didn’t seem like there would be much of a chance for the ISU offense to recover.

He had lost his two other career games where he threw two interceptions, including the season-opening loss to North Dakota State. For an offense that has struggled to score points in the Paul Rhoads era, turning the ball over is all but a death sentence.

But this time was different. 

For the second straight game, Richardson and the ISU offense came out firing, responding to his mistakes and putting the Cyclones back into the game after both interceptions.

“He had a different look in his eye than he had in past years in those same situation,” Rhoads said. “He was a guy who wanted the ball after those plays and obviously took it and led our gang down the field.”

For perhaps the first time in the Rhoads era, the offense is keeping up with Big 12 opponents, and that much was true for all but the first seven minutes of the game when the Cyclones trailed 14-0. But the team responded, scoring 21 unanswered points and finishing with a season-high 45 points — the most the team has scored since scoring 51 points in Richardson’s debut against Kansas in 2012.

However, their effort fell short. Texas went on a 19-second, 68-yard drive in the final seconds to kick the game-winning field goal. ISU fans have seen it before, with this season’s Kansas State loss and last season’s Texas and TCU losses coming on late ISU breakdowns in the final minutes.

But this time was different.

In those games, the offense stalled and set up all three teams to capitalize on a game-winning drive. Against Texas this year, Iowa State controlled what they wanted to do with their offense, leading a game-tying drive with less than a minute to go. The result wasn’t a win, but it wasn’t the heartbreak the team was used to.

“Our football team continues to improve and really played together today, and that was impressive to see on this stage,” Rhoads said. “I think that they were hitting on some good play calling and executions of plays. A good job of scouting and preparing a game plan by our staff.”

And that is perhaps why the Cyclones have seen success as the season has progressed. Offensive coordinator Mark Mangino has elevated the offense to nearly 30 points per game since the season-opening loss, and the unit has seen improvement nearly every game.

After the Texas loss last season, defensive end Cory Morrissey said it took a lot out of the team emotionally and physically and affected the rest of the season. With a stretch of ranked opponents, the Cyclones crumbled.

But this time is different.

“It was a close game, and it didn’t come out the way we liked it to,” said running back Aaron Wimberly. “We’ve just got to move forward and get ready for the next game.”