Cyclones drop a tough one in Norman

By Michael O’Deay (@MODeay70)

Iowa State traveled to Norman with slim hopes for a repeat trip to the Big 12 Championship Game. With a win and some help the Cyclones still had a shot to make it to Dallas. The game started with ISU getting the ball and marching 75 yards in 12 plays. It could’ve been 11 plays, however, ISU got the benefit of a replay review when a fumble was lost out of the end zone. The Oklahoma player who forced the fumble was out of bounds and touched the ball after Scates lost it which caused an illegal touch. Instead of OU getting the ball as a touchback ISU retained possession. The next play, Breece Hall scored a rushing TD for the 23rd consecutive game giving the Cyclones a 7-0 lead. The TD tied Breece Hall for the most consecutive games with a rushing TD.  The next drive Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams had a 74 yard rushing TD on Oklahoma’s second offensive play. Williams went up the middle angling to the right sideline. Once he got to the second level it was a footrace, which he won. Game tied at 7. After each teams first drive the defense won the rest of the 1st and 2nd quarters. Oklahoma had a drive that got into the redzone, however, they were unable to cash in when Gabe Brkic clanged a 25 yard FG from the right hash off the left upright. ISU was in business! With a possibly of gaing momentum heading into halftime! ISU drove outside of FG range. On a 3rd and 7 from the OU 44, ISU was trying to go for the kill shot. Purdy, under duress, rolled to his left, it looked like he may have been trying to pump fake and tuck the ball away to get some yards on the ground. He was hit and fumbled the ball. The ball traveled all the way back to the ISU 41 (15 yards) where it was scooped up by Jalen Redmond and taken into the end zone for a Sooner TD. OU took the lead going into the break 14-7. That was this week’s What Happened Moment which was brought to you by an OU booster. Oklahoma got the second half kick off and punted. ISU returned the favor when they punted it back. Oklahoma punted again. ISU turned it over on downs. Oklahoma went 64 yards in 10 plays with Mario Williams snagging an 11 yard Caleb Williams pass for a TD. The deficit was 21-7. As OU was on that drive Purdy headed back to the locker room and was replaced by Hunter Dekkers. On Dekkers second pass of the game he threw an interception. At that point I thought OU was about to run away with the game. No knock on Dekkers, however, being down 21-7 and after a turnover with the backup in, I thought the outlook was bleak. Then the defense stepped up. As OU was trying to get into the red zone Caleb Williams threw an INT and ISU was in business! OU held to a 4th and 2, Dekkers converted on a keeper, that he fumbled and recoved. After 3 more plays, ISU had a perfect fake punt that kept the drive alive. Dekkers capped off the drive with a 12 yard TD pass to Chase Allen.  After OU and ISU traded punts, OU went on a 6 play 68 yard TD drive that was capped off by an Eric Gray 7 yard TD run. OU led 28-14. With just over 5 minutes to play, Brock Purdy and ISU went on 9 play 75 yard TD drive. Purdy hooked up with Charlie Kolar 3 times on the drive. With completions of 28 yards, 14 yards, and a 2 yard TD, ISU climbed back to 28-21. Iowa State’s defense came up with another big 3 and out. Once again, after trailing by 2 TDs for most of the second half, ISU had a chance to tie it in the final moments of the game. For the second straight drive it was the Charlie Kolar show. Kolar had 4 catches for 60 yards extending drives and getting into a scoring opportunity. Sadly Purdy’s 4th down throw to Chase Allen was a little too high and was picked off.  OU wins 28-21. Purdy was 30-43 for 281 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Breece Hall only gained 58 yards on the ground, however, he extended his TD streak and probably had one the best catches of the year. A falling one handed grab that extended a drive. It is one of the best Breece Hall highlights you’ll see. Charlie Kolar came to life in his hometown, with 12 catches for 152 yards and a TD. I have laughed for 4 years when starting lineups are announced and I hear from Norman, Oklahoma TE Charlie Kolar. What a homerun of a recruit. I am so glad he spent his college career in Ames.  Friday is Senior Day. Pack the Jack. Be loud. Show the Seniors and a couple of Juniors who are most likely gone, that we are proud of their accomplishments.

Go Cyclones!