Kyle Konrardy converted a 54-yard field goal Saturday with six seconds left, capping an Iowa State comeback from a 13-point halftime deficit as it defeated in-state rival No. 21 Iowa 20-19 in Iowa City.
The Cyclones (2-0) drove 42 yards in five plays after taking possession at their 22 with 34 seconds left. The big play was Rocco Becht’s 30-yard completion to Jaylin Noel that got Iowa State to the Hawkeyes’ 38. Two plays later, Konrardy hit the game-winner.
Becht was 23 of 35 for 272 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Noel caught five passes for 133 yards as the Cyclones outgained Iowa (1-1) 361-303.
Kaleb Johnson starred in defeat for the Hawkeyes, rushing for 187 yards and both of Iowa’s touchdowns on 25 carries. Quarterback Cade McNamara hit just 13 of 29 passes for 99 yards and tossed two interceptions.
Konrardy also hit a 46-yard field goal with 11:32 remaining to pull Iowa State within 19-17, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
Iowa controlled the first half, allowing no first downs and only 18 total yards in the first quarter while controlling the ball behind Johnson’s big runs.
The Hawkeyes initiated scoring on their second possession, cashing in a 43-yard field after a short jump. Johnson covered the final 27 yards for a 7-0 lead at the 6:29 mark of the first quarter.
Iowa nudged the lead to 13-0 at halftime as Drew Stevens converted second-quarter field goals of 23 and 21 yards. The Hawkeyes failed to get six points on the first field goals after getting possession at the Iowa State 12, then drove 77 yards before the next scoring drive stalled out at the 4.
Trailing 13-0 at halftime, the Cyclones cranked up their offense in the second half. Becht got them on the board via a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins, then answered Johnson’s 3-yard scoring jaunt by connecting with Noel for a 75-yard touchdown at the 4:31 mark of the third quarter.
–Field Level Media