Iowa State Football: Cyclones top Memphis in AutoZone Liberty Bowl

By Jesse Smith | Dec 30, 2017

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 07: Quarterback Kyle Kempt #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones looks to throw against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Iowa State defeated Oklahoma 38-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

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3. Iowa State’s defense helps team have best season since 2000

To piggy back off of my other takeaway Iowa State’s defense was great. They have beaten the likes of Oklahoma, TCU and now Memphis they are so sound in all areas in the game. They held a team in Memphis to 20 points and they average a little more than 47 points per game during the season.

They held Anthony Miller to under 100 yards receiving and he is a guy that soon as he gets on the field is good for 100 plus. This unit also held Riley Ferguson under 300 yards and he is a guy that is known for torching defenses as well. They made Ferguson uncomfortable all day getting six sacks on the senior hurrying and rushing him all day. He had no time to set his feet all day it looked similar to how Sam Darnold looked against Ohio State minus the turnovers.

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This is the most wins Iowa State has had since 2000, that was many coaches ago. So today and this season has been a huge success for this team. If anybody thought this program would be an eight game winner before the season started they were probably looked at like they were crazy and rightfully so, but the Cyclones did it and salute them.

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