Breaking down Jacob Park’s 4 TDs in Iowa State football’s overtime loss

Jacob Park threw for four touchdowns as Iowa State football took rival Iowa to overtime on Saturday. Here are the four scoring strikes by Park.

On Saturday, Jacob Park nearly led Iowa State to a big upset victory over their in-state rivals from the Big Ten. The Cyclones took the Iowa Hawkeyes to overtime thanks to four Park touchdown passes. Park showcased a strong arm in a brave comeback performance.

He nearly won the game in regulation for his team, but a late Hawkeyes touchdown allowed Kirk Ferentz’s team to prevail in overtime.

That takes away nothing from Park’s stellar performance in Week 2. While everyone is talking about Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph as the class of the Big 12 quarterback pool, don’t sleep on Park. The Georgia Bulldogs transfer enters his redshirt sophomore year as one of the most dangerous passers in the league this season this season.

Keeping things close

By the time the third quarter rolled around, Iowa had built up a 21-10 lead. Jacob Park had thrown one touchdown pass to Allen Lazard earlier in the game as the Cyclones scored on their opening drive. They began their comeback in earnest on Park’s second touchdown.

At first glance, Park’s second scoring throw was a fairly straightforward strike, though it did require some nerves of steel. The quarterback stood firm in the pocket, knowing full well that he was about to get blasted by a free rusher. He planted his feet, throwing an absolute dart to Allen Lazard at the front corner of the endzone.

The touchdown showed courage on Park’s part, and also a strong arm in the face of pressure. He also threw Lazard away from coverage, putting the ball where only his receiver could make a play. With the score, Iowa State pulled back within 21-17 thanks to their quarterback’s gutsy strike.

A go-ahead strike for Park and the Bulldogs

Jacob Park threw a third touchdown less than four minutes later on the Cyclones’ next offensive series, finding Hakeem Butler on a 30-yard scoring strike. That touchdown hookup put Iowa State ahead 24-21, and David Montgomery put the Cyclones up by 10 early in the fourth quarter on a touchdown run.

But Iowa came back to tie the game in the fourth quarter at 31-31, and all the momentum seemed with the Hawkeyes. Then Park and Butler connected again on an even bigger play for what almost looked like the winning score.

Once again standing in the pocket despite against an oncoming rush from both directions, Park stepped up and launched a cannon shot downfield. The ball caught Butler perfectly in stride 45 yards downfield, and the receiver was able to cruise untouched into the endzone for a 38-31 lead. It was a textbook strike as good as any you’ll see on Saturdays this year.

Ultimately, Iowa managed to score before the final whistle and force overtime. Park could not work any further magic in the extra period as Iowa State had the ball first, and the Cyclones had to settle for a field goal. With a touchdown on its possession, the Hawkeyes managed to avoid the upset loss to their rivals.

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Park, though, was stellar in defeat. He finished the day with 347 yards and the four touchdowns on 25-of-46 passing. As he matures further, Park will continue to be a handful for every defense he meets this season.