No. 20 Texas used a balanced offense and a stifling defense to jump to a 27-0 halftime lead and defeat Iowa State 40-19 at Jack Trice Stadium Saturday.

The Cyclones (2-5, 0-3 Big 12) had just 45 yards of offense at halftime and trailed in time of possession, 20:45-9:15. Texas (5-2, 2-1 Big 12), on the other hand, hit on two pass plays of more than forty yards on its first two scoring drives and used 100-yard passing performances by both its quarterbacks — junior Chance Mock and freshman sensation Vince Young — to hand Iowa State its fifth straight loss.

Junior Cris Love started at quarterback for the Cyclones and played the first half. He was sacked five times and threw for 49 yards as Iowa State had just 25 first half plays. Redshirt freshman Austin Flynn, who had started the Cyclones’ first six games, relieved in the second half and passed for 123 yards and a touchdown.

“I was very impressed with [Flynn’s] comeback,” ISU head coach Dan McCarney said.

Tailback Michael Wagner had just four carries in the first half and totaled minus-four rushing yards over the first 30 minutes. In the second half, redshirt freshman Stevie Hicks put together his strongest game of the season, with 67 yards on 11 carries. Hicks started the first game of the season but had been ineffective in brief appearances throughout the season.

“I wasn’t worried about meeting the expectations because I knew I could do that,” Hicks said. “Once you a get a rhythm going, it’s hard to stop it.”

ISU wide receiver Lane Danielsen scored both Cyclone touchdowns, on a two-yard end-around and five-yard fourth-down reception that cut the Texas lead to 33-19 with 8:23 left in the fourth quarter after Flynn’s second two-point conversion run.

“It was nice to have a running game,” Danielsen said. “It’s been a while since we’ve run the ball effectively around here.”

But after the Cyclones pulled within 14, Texas took just three plays to go 80 yards and put the game out of reach.

B.J. Johnson, who finished with a career high-tying 187 receiving yards on seven yards, caught a 50-yard bomb from Mock, and a play later, Mock connected with All-American Roy Williams for a 30-yard score.

“The offensive line played well. There was no pressure on either quarterback,” Texas head coach Mack Brown said.

The Longhorns received the opening kickoff and scored on a 6-yard run by Benson, who finished with 140 yards on 32 carries and three touchdowns. The first drive was sparked by Williams’ 46-yard catch from Young, who started at quarterback.

But Iowa State picked up just one first down on its first three drives, and after linebacker Joe Woodley returned a Young interception to the Texas 37, the Cyclones drove inside the 10-yard line but could not score after Adam Benike’s 25-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

On the next drive, Texas used a trick play to get in scoring position. Williams took the ball from Young on an end-around but stopped and threw for 56 yards to wide-open Johnson. Benson ran eight yards untouched to put Texas ahead 14-0 three plays later.

The 27-point halftime deficit meant the game was effectively over at the midway point, McCarney said.

“We just dug too deep a hole in the first half,” he said. “I was real proud of our second half.”

The Cyclone defense surrendered more than 500 yards for the third straight week. Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas have combined for 145 points and 1,966 yards against Iowa State.

“Our expectations of our defense are still high,” said defensive tackle Brent Curvey, who had seven tackles and a sack.

Iowa State next faces Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.