Iowa State Football: 3 takeaways from upset win over Oklahoma State

Iowa State junior running back Breece Hall runs the ball upfield in the second quarter against Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.20211023 Iowastatevsokst
Iowa State junior running back Breece Hall runs the ball upfield in the second quarter against Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.20211023 Iowastatevsokst /
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In what was expected to be one of the best games of the weekend, Iowa State football and Oklahoma State went down to the wire at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday.

This was what you’d consider a back-and-forth affair that came down to the final minutes as Iowa State reclaimed a lead with about five minutes left in the game to make it 24-21 and then the Cyclones made a huge defensive stand to get the ball back.

Iowa State was unable to run out the clock at that point as Oklahoma State got the ball back with just over three minutes left and a chance to drive down and tie things up but Iowa State’s defense stood tall yet again to claim the huge win.

What’d we learn from this upset win?

3. The defense stepped up in the clutch

Oklahoma State was able to pick up yards all afternoon long which is something not many teams have been able to say against Iowa State this season, but the Cyclones did a lot of bending and not a lot of breaking.

The Cowboys finished with just 332 yards so it’s not like they were driving all day, but they weren’t idle. Spencer Sanders had a decent game, throwing three touchdown passes, but he was held in check in crunch time as the Cyclones’ defense was clutch in the fourth quarter.

Sure, Iowa State gave up a go-ahead touchdown with under 10 minutes to go in the game, but after they scored to take the lead back, the defense shut the door twice, including a key fourth-down and two yards to go which effectively ended the game.

This defense deserves major props.