Tied at 10 late in the second quarter, a lackluster Iowa State offense sustained one of the better drives of its 26-13 win over Akron.

After marching to the 23-yard line, the Cyclones turned to junior running back David Montgomery to cap off the possession.

Montgomery answered the call, rushing for 21 yards to Akron’s 2-yard line. On the run, Montgomery bounced to outside the tackles, challenging an Akron defensive back one-on-one.

Montgomery shake-and-baked like Cal Naughton Jr. and Ricky Bobby past the Zip defender and swatted another defender’s hand before Akron dragged him down near the end zone. 

“He’s got the craziest balance I’ve ever seen in my life,” said redshirt sophomore quarterback Zeb Noland. “It’s fun watching him.”

Then Iowa State’s short-yardage problems emerged again. 

On first down, Montgomery gained a yard, pushing the line of scrimmage to the 1-yard line. On second down, the Zips stuffed Montgomery for no gain. On third down, Montgomery found pay dirt. 

Iowa State deployed a different look on the successful goal line play. Noland lined up under center with a pair of blockers behind him on each side. Montgomery positioned himself behind the trio in front of him with his hand on the ground.

The skilled tackle-breaker opted to avoid any tackles by leaping over Iowa State center Colin Newell and a pancaked Akron defensive lineman.

Montgomery’s touchdown wasn’t the only scoring drive the junior influenced. In the first quarter, Iowa State faced a third-and-3 at the Akron 29-yard line, trailing 7-0. 

The Akron defensive line won the battle up front, colliding with Montgomery behind the line of scrimmage. Montgomery spun toward the ground, regained his balance and scampered for the first down.

“He came from my right side, but I knew he was coming and I knew at that point I couldn’t make a move,” Montgomery said. “I guess it just happened.”

The second effort allowed Iowa State to continue its drive instead of settling for a field goal attempt.

Two plays later, Noland connected with redshirt junior wide receiver Hakeem Butler for a 24-yard touchdown, ending with an impromptu cartwheel that ended with the football grazing the pylon.

“Just try to do something like [Montgomery] would do,” Butler said about the acrobatic play with a chuckle. “I knew if I didn’t get in, it was going to give a touchdown to David.”

Montgomery kept Akron defenders off balance throughout the first half — either plowing them over or utilizing his elusiveness to make them miss.

After failing to surpass 100 yards in the first two games, Montgomery nearly accomplished the milestone in the first half against Akron, tallying 79 yards.

The second half presented another story.

Montgomery toted the ball seven times for 28 yards, and the quartet of Johnnie Lang, Sheldon Croney Jr., Kene Nwangwu and quarterback Brock Purdy saw opportunities on the ground.

On the opening drive after halftime, Montgomery lingered on the sidelines while Iowa State’s offense took the field.

“I think he’s fine,” said coach Matt Campbell. “[He] just got dinged up a little bit. [We’re] trying to be smart with him and especially giving some of those guys some opportunities to carry the football.”

After the game, Montgomery reiterated that he’s okay, and he’ll be good to go next week at Texas Christian University.

Montgomery said it was mostly precautionary reasons leading to the lighter use in the second half.