COLUMBIA, Mo. -Their backs against the wall, the ISU football team responded and were on their way to a ship-righting victory – until they came up against a true freshman quarterback who brought them back to their knees.

After knocking Missouri starter Brad Smith out of the game with a head injury, Chase Daniel entered and led the Tigers to a 27-24 overtime victory against Iowa State.

“It’s more frustrating then discouraging,” said offensive lineman Aaron Brant.

“All three of our losses, we have the ability to make the plays. We have the talent, we have the system, we just ain’t executing. It’s frustrating.”

The loss was the third in a row for the Cyclones, dropping their overall record to 3-3 and giving them an 0-3 mark in the Big 12.

The Cyclones are joined by Kansas and Oklahoma State – Iowa State’s opponent next weekend – as the only teams without a conference win.

The Cyclones have also dug themselves a big hole, with their hopes of a Big 12 North title gone and the possibility of a bowl berth sinking every week.

“We’re just playing like kids,” said quarterback Bret Meyer. “We have to grow up.”

Last season the Cyclones were in a similar position and played their way into the postseason, something ISU coach Dan McCarney is hoping they can do again.

“We improved over a week ago. We have to build on that,” McCarney said.

“At this time last year we were 0-3 in the conference and 2-4 overall. At least we’re one win ahead of that. We’re not where we wanted to be and where we expected to be, but this is where we’re at.

“This sure doesn’t feel like a 3-3 football team right now, it feels like a better team than that.”

Iowa State dug themselves a huge hole right out of the gate, sinking to a 14-0 deficit after only nine minutes of play.

Meyer was intercepted by William Moore, who returned the pick for a 62-yard touchdown.

On Iowa State’s next drive, freshman running back Jason Harris fumbled, a drop that was taken into the end zone for another score.

The Cyclones came back, relying on the legs of running backs Greg Coleman and Ryan Kock to turn the tide in their favor.

Coleman used his third consecutive start to turn in his best performance, a 104-yard game on 25 carries.

Kock did the dirty work, scoring three one-yard touchdowns, carrying defenders into the end zone each time.

Kock scored his final touchdown of the game with nine minutes to play, giving ISU a 10 point lead at 24-14, but that was when things started to come undone.

Missouri got the ball back and forced two incomplete passes from Smith.

The last of those passes were costly for Smith, who was knocked loopy by Tim Dobbins.

Smith laid on the field for several minutes before walking to the sideline under his own power.

He did not return, leaving the game in the hands of a freshman with nearly no collegiate experience.

“He’s a winner,” McCarney said of Daniel.

“He’s a fine player. They have a lot of confidence in him, and he’s a really fine player.”

Daniel led Missouri on two scoring drives in regulation, completing 11-of-17 passes on those two final drives.

On the game he was 16-of-23 passing for 185 yards and one score.

“It wasn’t like they changed their game plan [with Daniel], he just made a few plays that Brad didn’t,” McCarney said.

“He executed real well and made some good throws.

“They did a great job of making some plays. They made the plays and we didn’t. You make a fourth down stop, you make a third and long stop … but they made the plays and we didn’t.”

The Cyclones contained Smith, holding him to 39 yards rushing and 45 yards passing.

He was also intercepted once on a fourth quarter pick by safety Nik Moser.