Iowa State scored after Kansas State fumbled the opening kickoff and never gave up the lead the rest of the ballgame on the way to their first Big 12 win of the season 31-20 Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.
The Cyclones used a big defensive effort that included an interception return for a touchdown and a fourth down goal line stand late in the game to down the Widlcats, after playing a couple of close games in recent weeks in which they lost.
It is only the second win for first year head coach Gene Chizik. Chizik says he’s happy for the players and assistant coaches who didn’t let anyone bring them down. "it’s just a moment where I feel like a proud father," Chizik says, "…let’s be honest, no one gave us a chance today." Chizik says the fumble recovery on the kickoff gave them early momentum.
He says that was huge, and defensively scoring a touchdown and making big stops at the goal line. Chizik says his defensive coordinator did a good job of getting the team ready for what he says is probably the best quarterback in the league.
Chizik says the team hasn’t given up despite a string of loses. Chizik says he thinks his team has gotten better every week, but the opponents they have been playing have been very good, and there isn’t anyone in the conference that is a breather. He says it’s great to see the team rewarded with a win.
Chizik says the win is long overdue as they have been getting better, and this week stressed the little things that led to losses against Missouri and Oklahoma. He says they didn’t do those things in the ballgame and that’s one of the reasons they won. Iowa State moves to 2-8 on the season and 1-5 in the Big 12. They host Colorado Saturday.