ISU

Recap: Iowa State football falls at Texas Tech on a 62-yard field goal

Tommy Birch
Des Moines Register

Iowa State's chances at reaching the Big 12 title game again took a massive hit Saturday. 

Texas Tech kicker Jonathan Garibay booted a 62-yard field goal as time expired to give Texas Tech a 41-38 win over Iowa State in Lubbock, Texas. 

Iowa State fell to 6-4 on the season and 4-3 in Big 12 Conference play. The loss made their chances at a return to the title game, which were already difficult, even tougher. 

The Cyclones, which had won five-straight games in the series, mounted a memorable comeback and nearly made it six in a row. After trailing by 17 at halftime, Iowa State stormed back with quarterback Brock Purdy tossing a pair of touchdown passes to Charlie Kolar and one to Breece Hall in the second half.

Iowa State finally completed the comeback when Andrew Mevis hit a 29-yard field goal with one minute remaining. All that did, though, was set up the heroics for Texas Tech. 

POSTGAME: Hummel: "We didn't meet that expectation

POSTGAME: Campbell on the end of the game

POSTGAME: Purdy: "It's painful"

POSTGAME: Purdy: "We just haven't reached it" 

POSTGAME: Iowa State stats

  • Passing: Brock Purdy 32-42-356-2
  • Rushing: Breece Hall 18-51, Brock Purdy 6-34
  • Receiving: Xavier Hutchinson 8-112, Charlie Kolar 8-76

FINAL: Texas Tech 41, Iowa State 38

Texas Tech's field goal attempt from 62 yards is....good. Wow. What a kick. Red Raiders upset the Cyclones and fans are storming the field.

.3/4Q - The game comes down to this

Texas Tech going for a 62-yard field goal to win the game...

.8/4Q - Iowa State takes a timeout

Texas Tech still has some distance to go to get into field goal range. The Red Raiders are at the Iowa State 46-

1:05/4Q - Iowa State ties the game 38-38

Iowa State, which trailed by 17 at halftime, has tied the game thanks to a 29-yard field goal by Andrew Mevis. What a second half for Iowa State. One thing worth noting: Texas Tech is out of timeouts. 

1:42/4Q - Now Iowa State takes a timeout

Now the Cyclones take one to mull over a huge third own play coming up. The Cyclones are already in Andrew Mevis' range (likely) for a game-tying field goal.

1:42/4Q - Another Texas Tech timeout

Iowa State has moved the all up to the Texas Tech 21-yard line. Charlie Kolar has been huge this drive and in this half coming up with some huge catches. 

3:03/4Q - Texas Tech takes a timeout as Iowa State marches

The Cyclones are moving the ball with time ticking. Iowa State has the ball on the Red Raiders' 40-yard line. Texas Tech clinging to a 38-35 lead.

4:52/4Q - Iowa State's defense gets the huge stop

Texas Tech goes three and out to give the offense the ball back. What a huge stand by the Iowa State defense which has been pretty stellar throughout the second half. 

6:20/4Q - Iowa State pulls to within 38-35 of Texas Tech

What a play by Breece Hall. the Iowa State running back catches a quick pass, spins around a defender and sprints to the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown. That's Hall's third touchdown of the day.

7:25/4Q - So, this happened

7:25/4Q - Purdy's interception overturned

Officials went to the booth and determined it wasn't a catch. Cyclones get the ball back and with even better field position following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Texas Tech.

7:25/4Q - Purdy picked off again

Purdy gets picked off on the goal line. It's his third pick of the day and the most costly for Iowa State which had marched deep into Texas Tech territory and was on the verge of cutting into the Red Raiders' lead again. 

10:59/4Q - Texas Tech takes a 38-28 lead

Iowa State had all the momentum in the world but Texas Tech comes up with a big drive. First came a pick 28 yard reception by Myles Price who somehow held onto the ball after a hard hit by Isheem Young. Now a 13-yard rushing touchdown to give Texas Tech some breathing room. 

13:29/4Q - Iowa State pulls to within 31-28 of Texas Tech

Well, we've got ourselves a game. Iowa State has been a completely different team in the second half. Brock Purdy fires a 12-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Kolar to get Iowa State back into the game. It's the second touchdown pass of the second half for Purdy. Kolar has caught both of them. Iowa State is suddenly firing on all cylinders on offense and defense. 

End of the 3Q - Texas Tech 31, Iowa State 21

The Cyclones have seized the momentum. The defense got three big stops and the offense is finally starting to move the ball. 

1:19/3Q - Iowa State's defense has settled in

The Cyclones defense, which struggled mightily in the first half, has made some good adjustments in the second half. They've gotten two stops on fourth down and just forced a Texas Tech punt. Now the offense needs to get going. 

3:03/3Q - Iowa State cuts into Texas Tech's lead, 31-21

Iowa State's 73-yard scoring drive ends with Brock Purdy firing a 9-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Kolar. First touchdown pass of the day for Purdy who has also been picked off twice. Iowa State needed that. Suddenly, those six points that Texas Tech missed out on by passing up on two field goals, seems like a big decision. 

3:53/3Q - The ruling on the field stands

That's a catch for Charlie Kolar. It was really tough to see. ESPN's broadcast crew believes that Kolar came up with it. Iowa State's drive continues. 

3:53/3Q - A big review coming up for Iowa State

Charlie Kolar hauled in a 19-yard pass along the sidelines. But he had to battle with Texas Tech's Eric Monroe for the ball. It was ruled a catch on the field. But Monroe may have tangled it away from him. We'll see. This is a big play

5:17/3Q - Iowa State gets another stop

The Cyclones defense holds strong with another fourth down stop, the second in the quarter. The group seems to be settling in during the early parts of the second half. Will the offense? 

7:30/3Q - Iowa State forced to punt again

Iowa State really can't get anything going on offense today. The offensive line is getting dominated. Even worse for the Cyclones, now special teams is struggling. Iowa State gives up a 38-yard return and Texas Tech has great field position. 

9:14/3Q - Iowa State gets a stop on defense

The Cyclones haven't had many of those today, especially on third down. But the Cyclones finally got one not only on third down but on fourth down. Texas Tech now 7-for-10 on third down after coming up juuuust short. 

14:10/3Q - Brock Purdy picked off again

Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy entered Saturday's game riding a hot streak of efficiency. But he's been anything but that today with two ugly interceptions. 

14:53/3Q - Iowa State gets the ball to to start the second half

Which is good news for the Cyclones. Texas Tech's first half drives: 

  • Touchdown
  • Interception
  • Touchdown
  • Touchdown
  • Touchdown
  • Field goal

HALFTIME: Key stats

  • Texas Tech averaging 8.6 yards per play.
  • Breece hall averaging 3 yards per carry.
  • Iowa State 1-for-4 on third down.

HALFTIME: Iowa State stats

  • Passing-Brock Purdy: 11-15-99-1.
  • Rushing-Breece Hall: 9-27, Brock Purdy 2-5.
  • Receiving-Xavier Hutchinson 4-58, Charlie Kolar 2-16.

HALFTIME: Texas Tech 31, Iowa State 14

Iowa State finally had some momentum with its last series. But Texas Tech grabbed it back with a 45-yard field goal as time expired. 

1:11/2Q - Iowa State pulls to within 28-14 of Texas Tech

Iowa State finally gets some momentum on offense. The Cyclones go 75 yards and Breece Hall reaches the end zone for the second time today with a 17-yard touchdown run. By far the best run of the day for Hall who has struggled to get going. Iowa State got bailed out in a huge way with a pass interference call on an uncatchable pass. 

3:16/2Q - Texas Tech takes a 28-7 lead

What in the world is happening? Texas Tech is in complete control after an 18-yard touchdown pass by Donovan Smith. Smith has been amazing today. He's completed 11-of-14 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. 

4:25/2Q - And then this

4:50/2Q - Another quick series for Iowa State

The Cyclones can't get anything moving on offense. The most shocking part is how little of a factor Breece Hall has played so far. The Cyclones star running back has just 10 yards on eight carries. But he isn't the only one struggling. Brock Purdy hasn't looked like his usual self with an early pick and a couple of errant throws. 

6:14/2Q - Iowa State's defense is really struggling

We've seen this a few other times. Exhibit A: West Virginia. Texas Tech is averaging 7.4 yards per play including 14.3 yards per completion and 5.7 yards per carry. The Red Raiders also already have 222 yards of total offense. 

6:14/2Q - Texas Tech takes a 21-0 lead

The Red Raiders complete a long and time consuming drive with Donovan Smith tossing a 3-yard touchdown pass. Iowa State gets a dose of its own offensive medicine there with a 15 play, 71-yard scoring drive that last 8:51. 

14:00/2Q - Will McDonald dinged up

ESPN's crew is reporting that Will McDonald is dealing with an abdominal injury. Something to keep an eye on moving forward. McDonald may be the most important part of Iowa State's defense. 

End of the 1Q: Texas Tech 14, Iowa State 7

Not a great start for Iowa State. The Cyclones have missed tackles and given up big plays on defense. On offense, they've really struggled to get going. Brock Purdy was also just picked off.

.4/1Q - Purdy picked off

The Iowa State quarterback gets picked off to end a promising drive that saw Iowa State survive a review and convert on fourth down. That's a killer.

4:04/1Q - Fumble overturned

Officials went to the monitor and determined Kolar's right knee was down before he fumbled. Iowa State dodges a bullet and keeps the ball. That would have given the Red Raiders fantastic field position with a chance to dig Iowa State into a deep, deep hole.

4:04/1Q - Charlie Kolar fumbles

Wow. What an ugly start for Iowa State. Iowa State All-American tight end Charlie Kolar just coughed up the football and Texas Tech recovers. The play is under review though. 

4:26/1Q - Texas Tech takes a 14-7 lead

The Red Raiders decide to go for its on fourht-and-6 and the it pays off. Donovan Smith unleashes a perfectly placed 39-yard touchdown pass to Myles Price. Smith has led two impressive scoring drives already today. 

4:48/1Q - Now Jake Hummel hobbles off the field

The Iowa State linebacker left the game. Let's see if he returns. 

6:15/1Q - Some more perspective on Hall's historic touchdown

Hall's 22-straight games with a rushing touchdown is the second-longest streak in NCAA history. The record is 23. So, Hall has a chance to tie it and break it this season.

6:15/1Q - Iowa State ties the game, 7-7

Iowa State takes advantage of the turnover and the great field position. Breece Hall reaches the end zone with a 1-yard carry. That's 22-straight games Hall has a rushing touchdown in. 

6:49/1Q - Gets a turnover

Iowa State's grabs an interception with Aric Horne picking off a pass that popped out of the hands of wide receiver Travis Koontz. Looks like Koontz may have been down. Iowa State gets the ball and great field position inside the red zone. 

8:16/1Q - A quick series for Iowa State

Iowa State's offense doesn't do much with the ball. Quarterback Brock Purdy had a nice 9-yard run. But that was about it. Cyclones punt. 

10:42/1Q - Texas Tech takes a 7-0 lead

The Red Raiders strike first with an impressive seven play, 75-yard scoring drive capped off with a 7-yard run by Tahj Brooks. Red Raiders quarterback Donovan Brooks had a couple of impressive throws on that drive.

11:12/1Q - Enyi injured

The Iowa State defensive star hobbled off the field with an apparent injury. 

2:30 p.m. - Here's the scenario for Iowa State

Travis has the most basic road to the Big 12 championship for Iowa State following Baylor's upset over Oklahoma today. 

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell has yet to lose to Texas Tech since coming to Ames.

2:15 p.m. - 15 minutes to kickoff

Our reporters have made it to the stadium. Randy and Travis will have you covered on-site, today. 

PREVIOUS IOWA STATE COVERAGE: 

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.