Iowa State Football: 3 takeaways from last-second win over Texas

In one of the best games of the week, Iowa State football hosted Texas in a Big 12 monster showdown. What did we learn from this tight battle?

Iowa State saw its lead dwindle and then fall through the cracks in the fourth quarter on Saturday evening. The Cyclones held a 20-7 lead over No. 19 Texas only to give up two consecutive touchdowns to fall behind 21-20 with about six minutes left.

It needed Brock Purdy to step up and lead a game-winning drive at home and he did just that. He led the Cyclones down into field goal position and won with no time remaining on a 36-yarder.

The Cyclones proved they can hang with the big boys but need to find a way to close games out stronger. This team is just a few plays away from being undefeated and being in the exact same position as Baylor with a bright future still ahead.

What’d we learn from the Big 12 showdown in Ames?

3. Breece Hall is the real deal

Remember a month ago when Iowa State was struggling to find a starting running back and it seemed like the talent was there, but no one was stepping up?

Well, freshman running back Breece Hall has been that guy. He was finally given an opportunity to control the backfield in the month of October and he hasn’t disappointed. In fact, he has put up 100 points for the fourth time in five games and looks like the next David Montgomery-type of back for the Cyclones. No, they’re not the same type of runners, but Hall could be a workhorse like his predecessor.

Iowa State needed a running game to take the pressure off Brock Purdy and it got just that in the middle of October and you’ve seen a completely different team.

This Cyclone team is one of the best 6-4 squads you’ll see.