The Lowdown

The ISU football team got back in the win column with a gritty 37-30 victory against the Toledo Rockets.

Quarterback Sam Richardson had a career day passing and receivers Allen Lazard and D’Vario Montgomery had career days as well, bringing in eight passes for 96 yards and nine receptions for 90 yards respectively. Lazard, E.J. Bibbs and Tad Ecby all hauled in touchdown passes.

Running back DeVondrick Nealy had the best game for an ISU running back all season with 71 yards on 16 carries. 

Turning Point

Tied 23-23 early in the fourth quarter, Bibbs took a Richardson pass on the 5-yard line and clawed his way in, getting his jersey ripped on the way into the end zone. The play put the Cyclones up 30-23 and distanced them from a Rockets offense that was struggling in the second half.

The X-Factor

Richardson had a career game, completing 37-of-53 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns. After a slow start and some dropped passes, the Cyclones went to a pass-heavy mindset and finished off the Rockets.

Richardson set an ISU record for completions with 37 and set personal records for completions, attempts and yards. It was his first career win in Jack Trice Stadium and his third career win as a starter.

By the Numbers

1 — Catch by offensive lineman Daniel Burton for -12 yards

3 — Field goals by kicker Cole Netten who is 7-for-7 this season

70.5 — Cyclones’ third down conversion percentage 

236 — Toledo’s rushing yards 

351 — Career-high number of passing yards for Richardson