For the second year in a row, Iowa State suffered another Texas heartbreaker.

With just 29 seconds remaining in the game, ISU quarterback Sam Richardson found tight end E.J. Bibbs for an 11-yard touchdown, tying the game 45-45.

The score was sure to force the game into overtime — until the Longhorns responded by driving 68 yards down the field in just 19 seconds. Texas kicker Nick Rose then nailed a 21-yard field goal, giving them the win 48-45.

“I’m proud of how our guys finished and fought and competed for 60 full minutes on the road,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads. “After really facing some tough adversity to begin the game, they easily could have folded up. They did nothing of the sort; not once did they flinch.”

This is the Cyclones’ second loss to the Longhorns in two years after falling 31-30 in the final seconds during last year’s game at Jack Trice Stadium.

“It’s disappointing, you know. We had the game won,” said defensive back Nigel Tribune. “I’m more disappointed in myself. You’ve got to make a play or force a difficult field goal.”

Despite the loss for the Cyclones, some signs of optimism were able to slip through the cracks. Richardson threw for 345 yards with three touchdowns, and the offense had more than 500 total yards.

The Texas defense had allowed an average of just 126.7 passing yards per game before playing Iowa State.

“If you’ve looked at us offensively, you’ve seen a steady climb,” Rhoads said. “We’ve got some playmakers starting to emerge in that group and a quarterback who is playing well. I think that they were hitting on some good play calling and executions of plays.”

Bibbs and freshman wide receiver Allen Lazard came up with some big catches as well. Lazard finished with eight receptions and a touchdown for the second straight game. Bibbs, along with his touchdown late in the game, finished with his career-best 10 receptions and a second touchdown.

But it was the run game that stood out for the Cyclones, who had perhaps their first strong showing of the year. The Cyclones ran for 202 total yards, 110 of which came from Aaron Wimberly.

“Our run game was effective tonight, arguably for the true first time all year,” Rhoads said. “Aaron ran the ball hard and well and hit some creases. It was a good job scouting and preparing from the staff.”

The Cyclones head into a bye week this next week, something that Rhoads is looking forward to. They host Oklahoma on Nov. 1 and will look to keep their offense moving against the Sooners.

“It sure looked like we had an opportunity to go to overtime and compete, and I liked our chances if we would have got there,” Rhoads said.