Iowa State football: 3 takeaways from upset victory over Oklahoma

Iowa State football hosted Oklahoma, looking for a big win over the Sooners and the Cyclones got just that. What did we learn from this one?

These two teams have battles over the past 3 matchups, that have come down to near the end. Where it was in 2017 with Allen Lazard lead Iowa State upsetting the Sooners in Norman.

Or in 2019, when Iowa State stormed back from a 21 point deficit. Oklahoma’s Parnell Motley would pick off Brock Purdy in the end zone to close a 42-41 win.

2020 was no exception to the previous 3 meetings.

A 52 yard strike from QB Spencer Rattler to Charleston Rambo would set up a field goal. Both teams would feel each other out as there would be no momentum gained by either, during the first quarter.

Iowa State would hit some big plays, lead by a 42-yard pitch and catch from Purdy to Tarique Milton. Iowa State would punch it in with Breece Hall to make it 17-13 Sooners.

A relatively back and forth first half, ended with Gabe Burkic’s first missed field goal of his career. Brkic prior to the miss right before half, connected on 18 straight field goals and is still a perfect 52-52 on extra points.

It would be Iowa State that would take over the 3rd quarter as they outscored the Sooners 10-3. Highlighted by a slant route from Purdy to Xavier Hutchinson that broke a tackle and took it 65 yards to the Black and White of the grass end zone.

Handicapped with penalties, Oklahoma was able to tie it at 23 with a 51-yard field goal from Brkic.

What the Sooners have done so well over the past few years is finish in the fourth quarter. They did that here with a huge strip sack and a 2nd passing touchdown to Jeremiah Hall to give them a 30-23 lead.

Iowa State would not hesitate to retaliate as a fantastic return by Kene Nwangwu set up the Cyclones for a Purdy score. With a gritty run from Hall on the next possession, Iowa State would take the lead.

Rattler lead the Sooners until deja vu appeared once again. Rattler would overthrow a pass that got picked off the end zone.

Oklahoma losses back to back regular season games for the first time since 1999.