Kansas City, MO – Attendance 40,851
Jake Williams makes a big play with time winding down - AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
The Iowa State Cyclones dropped their Big 12 opener in devastating fashion when Grant Mahoney‘s game tying extra point was blocked by Kansas State with 32 seconds remaining. In games between evenly matched teams, the team that comes up with the most big plays usually wins the game. Kansas State made more big plays on Saturday.
Sixth year senior Grant Gregory, making his first career start at quarterback, made two of the big plays in the fourth quarter. The first one came early in the fourth quarter after ISU forced a 3rd and goal at their own 16 yard line. Gregory avoided the Cyclone rush, scrambled around for several seconds and threw to an open Lamark Brown for the touchdown to tie up the game.
Gregory’s second big play came with five and a half minutes to go in the fourth quarter and the game knotted at 17. Gregory was once again flushed from the pocket, and while rolling out to his right, threw across his body to Brandon Banks who came up with the catch past a diving David Sims. Banks took it to the house for a 54 yard touchdown and gave Kansas State a 24-17 lead.
The final big play of the game locked up the game for the Wildcats. The Cyclones had just scored on an amazing diving catch by Jake Williams in the back of the endzone bringing Iowa State to within one point. Mahoney, who had made every PAT in his career, came on to tie up the score and likely force overtime. Sophomore defensive back Emmanuel Lamur had other plans and leapt high and blocked the extra point attempt with his right hand preserving the Wildcat victory.
With the loss Iowa State dropped their 10th straight Big 12 game. The Cyclones look to break that streak next Saturday when they travel to Lawrence and take on the 15th ranked, 4-0 Kansas Jayhawks.
Iowa State – The Good
1. The Offensive Line was again a force as Iowa State rushed for 207 yards on 41 carries against a tough rush defense and minus Alexander Robinson for most of the game. Also, for the fourth time this year the Cyclone OL did not allow a sack.
2. After giving up 83 rushing yards on the opening drive, Iowa State’s defense did a good job of shutting down Kansas State’s running attack giving up only 71 yards the remainder of the game.
3. Jake Williams continues to emerge as the top wideout for the Cyclones. Williams 23 yard TD reception was the SportsCenter #7 play of the day.
4. Michael Brandtner continued to impress with 5 punts for 216 yards or an average of 43.2 yards/punt
6. The kickoff and punt coverage was very good against the dangerous Wildcat special teams. The glaring error being the Ter’ran Benton punt interference penalty late in the game.
Iowa State – The Bad
Grant Gregory had a big game in his first career start - AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
1. Alexander Robinson only made it through the first quarter before giving way to Jeremiah Schwartz. Schwartz was solid, but I believe ISU wins this game with a healthy ARob.
2. Lack of discipline – 5 penalties for 65 yards and two turnovers
3. Kansas State which is conservative in nature had more explosive/big plays then Iowa State
4. Iowa State converted just 6 of 15 third down plays on offense
5. The Wildcats started the game in Wildcat formation and the Cyclones didn’t have an answer the entire drive.
6. First time starter at quarterback Grant Gregory accounted for three KState touchdowns and 235 yards of total offense
7. With the Cyclones seemingly in control of the game Derrick Catlett fumbled in Cyclone territory with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter
8. Cleats – was it just me or were the Cyclones slipping more than the Wildcats. On both KSU touchdown receptions Iowa State defenders fell to the turf.
9. Austen Arnaud had less than a 50% completion percentage (13-27). Austen continues to struggle throwing to his left and Sedrick Johnson and Darius Darks both had drops in the game. I know that Austen mentioned his problems throwing to the left are mechanical, but to me he is thinking about it too much and just needs to throw the football.
Cyclones Top Performers
Jake Williams – 5 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
Austen Arnaud – 13-27, 164 yards, 2 TD and 16 rushes, 84 yards, 1 TD
Michael Brandtner – 5 punts, 216 yards (43.2 average)
Christopher Lyle – 7 tackles, 1 FR
Jesse Smith – 12 tackles
Video Highlights
Iowa State Cyclones vs Kansas State Wildcats
Video courtesy of Cyclones.com
Post Game Interviews
Paul Rhoads
Video courtesy of Cyclones.com
Monday Interviews
Paul Rhoads
Video courtesy of Cyclones.com
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