Oklahoma State 38 – Iowa State 31 | Rapid Recap

Zachary LowOctober 9, 2016 No Comments

In a game that was full of exciting yet stressful action, the Oklahoma State Cowboys managed to pull out a win against the Iowa State Cyclones. Oklahoma State started off slow and pretty much stayed that way for the first 40 minutes of play.

Iowa State took a 31-14 lead with 5:55 left in the 3rd quarter, but Oklahoma State would not quit. The Cowboys scored a couple of possessions later with 2:24 left in the quarter to begin what would end up being a 24-point run to comeback and win the game. Oklahoma State then scored two more touchdowns and a field goal in the 4th quarter to complete the 38-31 comeback.

Defense: a Tale of Two Halves

The Iowa State offense ran circles around the Cowboy defense for most of the first three quarters, leading 17-14 at half before taking a 31-14 lead late in the third quarter. Iowa State QB Joel Lanning got it done both in the air and on the ground as he threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns on 19/32 passes and ran for 67 yards on 18 carries. In the end, it was not enough as the Cyclones could not keep up with the Cowboy offense.

While the offense turned things around and put up the points, it was the Cowboy defense that led the comeback. After Iowa State took a 17-point lead late in the 3rd quarter, Tre Flowers forced a fumble, Jordan Burton intercepted a pass, and the Cowboy defense held Cyclones scoreless on their final seven possessions.

Rudolph Gets The Job Done

Oklahoma State Quarterback Mason Rudolph struggled for most of the game, failing to place the ball where his receivers could make plays. Even his completions looked out of place, but due to the acrobatics of guys like James Washington and Jalen McCleskey, they were still able to make plays.

Rudolph started the game 15/30, but he finished 26/44 for 351 yards and four touchdowns, completing eleven of his final fourteen throws. James Washington was the greatest benefactor of Rudolph’s impressive stat line, hauling in eight passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen McCleskey also had a solid day with five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Ben Grogan Nears Dan Bailey’s Scoring Record

Oklahoma State kicker Ben Grogan had another solid outing, kicking a perfect game of a field goal from 30 yards out on one attempt and hitting on all 5 of his extra-point attempts. His nine points on the day bring his career scoring total to 369 points, just one point shy of the record held by former Oklahoma State and current Dallas Cowboy kicker Dan Bailey. Grogan is the current career scoring leader for the Big 12, and he will surely break Bailey’s record against the Kansas Jayhawks after the Cowboys return from a bye week next weekend.

 

More recaps coming later.

Leave a Reply