With a Homecoming game that looked to give Iowa State a test, a late offensive landslide handed the team its third straight loss and first home loss of the season. As the Cougars handed the Cyclones a 41-27 final, two of Iowa State’s offensive stars had something to prove.
Cyclones profit from first-half Cougar penalties
In a matchup where Iowa State looked to rebound from two road losses and BYU planned to remain undefeated, the offense of both teams came out hot.
The Cyclones went four for six on scoring drives in the first half, while the Cougars went three for five.
Nine seconds into the game, Iowa State found its way on the scoreboard with a 75-yard passing touchdown. This marks the fastest scoring drive for the team this season. Redshirt junior quarterback Rocco Becht connected with sophomore wide receiver Brett Eskildsen for the touchdown.
As redshirt sophomore kicker Kyle Konrardy made his return from injury, he drilled the point-after-touchdown (PAT) field goal.
The Cougars struck back at 12:13 in the first quarter with a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Junior LJ Martin scored the touchdown, and redshirt senior kicker Will Ferrin secured the PAT.
With things tied up at seven, Iowa State stuck back-on-back drives to take a 17-7 lead after the first quarter.
Konrardy drilled a 36-yard field goal at 8:05 in the quarter. The field goal was followed by a 2-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Carson Hansen at the one-minute mark in the first quarter.
Ferrin opened the second quarter scoring with a 50-yard field goal at 8:59. The field goal resulted from an interception following a 24-yard pass to junior tight end Benjamin Brahmer. Defensive end Logan Lutui secured the interception.
Hansen answered the field goal with his second rushing touchdown of the game at 1:52 in the quarter, and Konrardy secured the PAT. The final scoring drive in the first half was a touchdown by redshirt junior wide receiver Parker Kingston. Ferrin secured the PAT.
Throughout the half, the Cougars acquired six penalties, while the Cyclones stayed clean. These BYU slip-ups set Iowa State up with a promising lead as the half concluded.
The Cougars’ second-half breakthrough becomes pricey
Despite a 24-17 lead at the half, a resurgence by BYU lands Iowa State a place beyond return.
Ferrin opened the second half scoring with a 27-yard field goal at 10:52 in the third quarter. The Cougars combatted the field goal with a touchdown at 4:33 in the quarter.
Freshman quarterback receiver Bear Bachmeier rushed for 9 yards for a touchdown, and Ferrin answered with the PAT. Iowa State eventually broke up BYU’s scoring frenzy with a 43-yard field goal by Konrardy, scored at 1:47 in the third quarter.
The two final touchdowns for the Cougars came 41 seconds apart. At 14:21 in the fourth quarter, Kingston received a 27-yard pass for the touchdown. 41 seconds later, sophomore safety Faletau Satuala intercepted Becht’s pass and returned the ball for a touchdown. Ferrin secured both of the PATs.
With low team morale, focusing on what’s ahead looks to drive the team.
“We have nothing to lose, so go into each and every game the rest of the season and play our hardest,” Becht said. “Give it all we got and finish the year strong.”
Hansen and Konrardy shine in return from injury
Both Hansen and Konrardy made their return during Iowa State’s Homecoming game.
Konrardy has been sidelined with a groin injury since the Cyclones’ first road game. During his return, he went four for four on field goals, two of which were PATs.
In Hansen’s first game since playing against Cincinnati, Hansen stood out. Despite the offensive shutdown, Hansen put up career highs.
Hansen had 8 receiving yards and 152 rushing yards. He also secured two of the three touchdowns for the Cyclones.
With his 65-yard run, Hansen hit his longest career rush. Prior to this career-clinching rush, his high was a 57-yard run against UCF.
“It was great, the offensive line block was great,” Hansen said. “Just saw it and just took it and it was a good run.”
Another career milestone for Hansen was his all-time rushing yards in a game. During the first road game of the season, Hansen hit 116 rushing yards. During his homecoming, Hansen rushed 152 yards.
After facing their third straight loss, the Cyclones look to rebound as they face Arizona State on Nov. 1.
“We’ve got to be better. I’m going to demand better,” head coach Matt Campbell said. “It starts with the head football coach. I’ll find a way to be better.”
