Iowa State will have to wait another year to try and break its long streak of losses to Oklahoma after playing close before losing to the Sooners Saturday 35-20 in Ames. The Cyclones were trailing 7-6 before giving up a touchdown with 14 seconds to go in the first half. ISU coach Paul Rhoads said that score was one they had trouble overcoming.
“We gave ourselves an opportunity in the first half with a couple key turnovers, and then lost seven valuable points at the end of the first half. Didn’t feel we lost momentum, thought we were unaffected by that, but it was the seven points that was more concerning,” Rhoads said. He says third downs were also key as they couldn’t Oklahoma off the field and couldn’t convert on offense to stay on the field.
Iowa State had trouble running and passing the ball and Rhoads said that’s a credit to the quality of the Sooners. “That football team is full of men, it’s a big football team at every position that you want to look at. Whether it’s the skill (positions) or on the line, they played to the level of their physical talent,” Rhoads said.
The Cyclones played without senior linebacker Jake Knott for the first time since he was sidelined with an injury. Rhoads said he was pleased with the defensive effort.
“I think the guys stepped up, he was doing a great job of leading out there. And I think we understood it was time to move on, that’s what you do, guys get hurt and the next guy’s got to step up and play and we did that,” Rhoads said.
Iowa State fell to 5-4 on the season and 2-4 in the Big 12. They have three games remaining to try and get their sixth victory to make them bowl eligible.
They go on the road Saturday to play Texas.