Game 6 Recap: Cyclones Fall Short To The Jayhawks

Cyclones Coach Paul Rhoads (AP Photo/ Orbin Wagner)

The Iowa State Cyclones lost in a shootout to the #15 Kansas Jayhawks by a score of 41-36 in Lawrence, KS last Saturday. The Jayhawks improved to a perfect 5-0 record and the Cyclones dropped to an even 3-3 record on the season, losing their last two games by a combined 6 points.

The two teams combined for over 1000 yards of offense in a game that seemed like both defenses stayed in the locker room. The Cyclones put up 512 yards of total offense with over 30 minutes of possession in their favor while the Jayhawks put up 551 yards of total offense and had 34 first downs. The Cyclones and Jayhawks went back in forth all game in scoring and the Cyclones actually led 30-27 going into the final quarter of play, when they couldn’t stop the Jayhawks from scoring two touchdowns en route to their 41-36 victory over the Cyclones.

Iowa State Key Players

Alexander Robinson stretches for the end zone on the first of his two touchdowns (AP Photo/ Orlin Wagner)

After missing most of week 5 against Kansas State with a groin injury, Cyclone RB Alexander Robinson bounced back in a big way against the Jayhawks, as he amassed more than 200 yards of offense and added 2 touchdowns. Austen Arnaud also put on a show as he threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He added another touchdown on the ground bringing his total to 6 rushing touchdowns on the season.   Arnaud had 67 yards rushing against the Jayhawks, who gave up 220 total rushing yards. Arnaud is averaging a rushing TD and 65 yards a game on the ground, he is proving he can hurt you with his legs and his arm.

The Cyclones’ efforts were matched by the Kansas air game, as Jayhawk QB Todd Reesing threw for a career best 442 yards and 4 touchdowns with two receivers, Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier, going for a combined 328 yards and all four touchdowns.

Cyclones:

• Alexander Robinson: 27 car for 152 yards and two TDs, 2 rec for 52 yards
  

• Austen Arnaud: 25/40 for 293 yards, 2 TDs, 14 car for 67 yards and 1 TD
  

JayHawks:

• Todd Reesing: 37/49 for 442 yards, 4 TD, 5 car for 12 and 1 TD

• Kerry Meier: *16 rec for 142 yards and 2 TDs

• Dezmon Briscoe: 12 rec for 186 yards and 2 TDs

* KU School record for most receptions in a game

Iowa State Scoring Summary

First Quarter:

• The game’s first score was by the Cyclones’ Alexander Robinson on a 1 yard touchdown run at the 10:32 mark of the opening quarter. The Jayhawks answered with a 1 yard touchdown run of their own by Kansas RB Toben Opurum with 4:08 left in the first quarter. Both teams missed their PATs and the first quarter ended a 6-6 tie.

Second Quarter:

• The Cyclones scored first in the second quarter to retake the lead when Robinson scored his second touchdown of the half on a 7 yard run 5 minutes into the quarter. Cyclones kicker Grant Mahoney missed his third PAT in a row after not missing one all year to make the score 12-6 Cyclones. Kansas receiver Kerry Meier answered with a 3 yard reception for a touchdown with 3:37 remaining in the half to make the score 13-12 in favor of Kansas. With just 30 seconds remaining in the half, the Jayhawks scored again when Todd Reesing scrambled 4 yards into the end zone. The scoring and the half ended with the Jayhawks leading 20-12 over the Cyclones.

Third Quarter:

• 

  Reesing celebrates with Dezmon Briscoe after a TD (AP Photo/ Orlin Wagner)

  The Cyclones came out of the locker room looking strong as they regained the lead following back to back scoring drives.  Mahoney started the half off with a 34 yard field goal at the 9:38 mark to make it 15-20, and then Arnaud added a touchdown when he scrambled 2 yards into the end zone just 3 minutes later to give the Cyclones a 23-20 lead. It didn’t take long for Kansas to come firing back, as Reesing found Dezmon Briscoe on a 23 yard reception for a touchdown to recapture the lead 27-23.  With just over a minute left in the third quarter, Arnaud aired it out 17 yards to Marquis Hamilton who hauled it in for a score and put the Cyclones in front 30-27 at the end of the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

• On the opening drive of the fourth quarter, Reesing threw a 46 yard bomb that Briscoe snagged in the endzone for a score just 30 seconds into the final quarter of play.  The Jayhawks extended their lead with 8:42 remaining in the game as Reesing once again hooked up with Meier, this time for a 6 yard score that made the score 41-30 in favor of the Jayhawks. Cyclone WR Darius Darks caught a 5 yard TD pass that brought the Cyclones within 5 after a missed two point conversion. The Cyclones got the ball back for one final attempt and had a shot at victory, but Arnaud over threw Darks by a a couple feet. The shootout ended in favor of the Jayhawks, as they defeated the Cyclones 41-36.

End of Game :          Kansas Jayhawks: 41              Iowa State Cyclones: 36

Game Photos: Courtesy of Orlin Wagner (AP)