What a difference a year makes.

After a 24-13 loss to Kent State last season, the ISU football team scored 21 points in the first quarter and exacted its revenge on the Golden Flashes, winning 48-28.

The Cyclones (2-0 overall) forced four turnovers and blocked two punts, taking advantage of favorable field position throughout the game.

The Golden Flashes out-gained Iowa State in total yardage, 410-374, but made several key errors to end their comeback attempt.

Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman was stripped of the ball inside the red zone by linebacker Michael Bibbs with just under six minutes left in the fourth quarter, effectively securing the win.

Iowa State has now forced 10 turnovers in two games. Last season, the Cyclone defense had just 18 turnovers all season.

With 21 seconds left in the third quarter, KSU freshman Josh Pleasant fumbled within his own 7-yard line. Several ISU defenders surrounded Pleasant, but cornerback Leonard Johnson emerged with the ball. Quarterback Austen Arnaud ran in from 5-yards out to give the Cyclones a commanding 38-21 lead.

Kent State answered with a seven-play, 76-yard touchdown drive on its next possession, however, and never fell out of striking distance throughout the game.

The Golden Flashes jumped out to a 7-0 lead 4:45 into the game, but Iowa State scored three touchdowns in the final six minutes of the first quarter off big plays on special teams and defense.

Cyclone running back Jason Scales swung the game’s momentum by blocking a punt.

The ball bounced out of bounds at the 1-yard line, and Scales dove into the end zone for a touchdown on the next play, with 5:32 left in the quarter.

Quarterback Phillip Bates directed a five-play, 61-yard scoring drive on Iowa State’s next possession. The sophomore made a 27-yard gain on an inside draw, then hit senior wideout R.J. Sumrall later in the drive for a 24-yard touchdown on third-and-four.

On the next series, Cyclone linebacker Josh Raven forced and recovered a fumble, setting up the ISU offense on the KSU 20-yard line.

Three plays into the second quarter, Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman found Jarvis open in the middle of the field for a 29-yard touchdown.

Iowa State’s Arnaud hit Sumrall in stride for a 49-yard touchdown on the next series.

Sumrall had never scored a touchdown in his four-year career, coming into the game, but had four catches for 104 yards Friday.

Cyclones starting runningback Alexander Robinson and cornerback Devin McDowell did not play in the game. Watch for more coverage of Friday’s game in Monday’s edition of the Iowa State Daily.