Iowa State Football: Cyclones stun Frogs, grab Big 12 lead

Iowa State football was the bottom dweller of the Big 12. After knocking off No. 4 TCU the Cyclones are in first place in the conference through Week 9.

Injuries and early-season losses plagued the Iowa State Cyclones, but after multiple big wins, the Cyclones now find themselves on top of the Big 12 Conference following a 14-7 win over the undefeated and No. 4 TCU Horned Frogs.

The Cyclones used sound defensive and timely plays to secure the upset. Here is what we learned following one of many upsets in a day’s work of college football.

3. Iowa State’s defense is elite

The college football world has seen the Cyclones enter the national spotlight due to big wins over Oklahoma and Texas Tech and all that has been talked about is their offense and the high-scoring affairs they have encountered this season. Yes, they gave up 44 points to Iowa (in overtime) and 31 points in their victory over Oklahoma, but other than those two games- Iowa State’s defense has been the unsung hero for this team.

The Cyclones now rank No. 2 in the Big 12 in scoring defense, total defense, and rush defense in the conference. Against Kenny Hill and TCU, Iowa State was able to hold the Horned Frogs to just 135 yards passing- which coming into the game was the weakest part of their defensive unit.

Stats aside, the Cyclones came through when needed the most- including a forced fumble on Hill late in the fourth quarter in their own red zone and then a late-game interception that sealed the victory.

With Saturday’s victory over TCU, Iowa State has now proven they have what it takes to win high-scoring affairs and also low-scoring, grind-it-out contests and are a valid threat to take home the Big 12 title.