Red Raiders rough up Cyclones, 42-17

Luke Plansky

The Iowa State football held the Texas Tech offense to a three-and-out on its first possesion.

After that, the Red Raider’s passing attack could not be contained. On the next possession, quarterback Graham Harrell connected with freshman wide receiver Michael Crabtree for a 31-yard touchdown catch.

Texas Tech (5-1 overall) jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, rolling on to a 42-17 victory Saturday night in Lubbick, Tex.

Crabtree broke the NCAA record for receiving touchdowns as a freshman 7:41 into the game, but would pull in his 16th touchdown later in the first quarter and his 17th in the fourth. The 6-foot-3 standout had 10 catches for 153 yards in the game, and now has 1,073 receiving yards on 70 receptions this season. Harell, a junior, was 36 of 43 for 420 yards passing.

Cyclone wide receiver Todd Blythe set the all-time school receiving yard record in the fourth quarter. The senior from Indianola neded 82 yards coming into the game to break Lane Danielsen’s mark of 2,690 yards.

Blythe had eight catches for 128 yards. He broke the record on a 12-yard reception on the Cyclones’ final drive, which he capped off with a 38-yard touchdown off a short pass.

Quarterback Bret Meyer ran in a five-yard touchdown earlier in the fourth to cut into the Red Raiders’ 42-3 lead.

The Red Raiders were forced into only seven third-down situations in the game. The Iowa State defense had two interceptions and a fumble recovery, but were on the field often in the first half.

The Cyclones punted nine times and lost two fumbles, finishing with a season-low 287 total yards. Iowa State senior linebacker Alvin Bowen led the team with 15 tackles – 10 solo – and a forced fumble.

Iowa State is now 1-5 on the season – 0-2 in the Big 12.

The Cyclones are back at home on Saturday after an 0-3 road trip, hosting Texas at 11:30 a.m.