Despite the defense forcing multiple turnovers and holding the Cowboys to just 20 points, Iowa State football dropped the game to Oklahoma State by a score of 20-14.

Iowa State’s offense struggled, turning the ball over five times including three interceptions from quarterback Hunter Dekkers; however, the moment that turned the tide was a decision from the Cowboy coaching staff.

Here are the three big takeaways from the game.

Sanders saves the Cowboys

Due to an injury to starting quarterback Spencer Sanders, Gunnar Gundy got the start for the Cowboys.

The new face under center did not lead to the success of the offense, as Gundy threw a pair of interceptions and led the offense to just one touchdown in three quarters.

Just when the outlook was beginning to look like an Iowa State win, the Oklahoma State staff decided to put Sanders into the game.

Sanders led the Cowboy offense to a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to go up 17-14, and it made all the difference.

A few defensive stands later, Oklahoma State would take the win.

Turnover troubles

Turnovers plagued the Cyclone offense once again. Iowa State turned the ball over five times, marking the most the team has had since 2009.

The Cyclones had 14 turnovers in nine games entering Saturday, and adding five more to the total was too much to overcome for the team.

Iowa State moved the ball relatively easily in the first quarter, with Cartevious Norton and Hunter Dekkers each helping themselves to some solid gains.

Running back Deon Silas fumbled away a crucial second drive for the Cyclones after pushing the ball well-passed midfield.

On the following drive, Dimitri Stanley lost the ball in the sun on what could have been a long touchdown and later could not handle a high pass from Dekkers that he tipped up before it was intercepted.

The Cyclones once again got the ball to start the second quarter, but Dekkers threw his second interception of the game, again targeting Stanley.

The miscues would not stop here, as the Cyclones turned the ball over two more times in the second half.

Another nail-biter

For the eighth consecutive time, Iowa State and Oklahoma State football came down to a one-possession game.

This game also marked the sixth one-possession game of the season for the Cyclones.

With the loss, it was Iowa State’s fifth straight loss in one-possession games. With as competitive of a league as the Big 12 is from top to bottom, one-score games are what make the difference in winning and losing seasons.

Iowa State now sits at 4-6 with a pair of games to play against Texas Tech and TCU, needing to win both to go to a bowl game.