AMES – It’s tough to answer the bell every time your back is against the wall.
Iowa State’s defense tried, but the Cyclones were finally knocked down. A valiant effort wasn’t enough, as an ineffective offense doomed Iowa State in a 24-13 loss to Texas Tech.
“The defense played great,” linebacker Jeremiah George said. “We prepared for opportunities like this. I thought we did a great job of limiting Texas Tech to 24 points.”
Four Iowa State turnovers gave the Red Raiders great field position and led to 17 of their 24 points. On three scoring drives, Texas Tech needed to go 46, 29 and nine yards.
The Red Raiders ran 77 plays for 395 yards and held the ball for 34 minutes and 37 seconds.
“It’s tough, especially when you’re on the field as much as we were,” defensive tackle Jake McDonough said. “But that’s the name of the game. We have to show up to play and we have to stop them when we need to stop them.”
Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege tallied 331 yards passing, but the Cyclones allowed just 63 yards rushing. The 24 points is by far the Red Raiders’ lowest output of the season after averaging 51 points per game coming into the contest.
Unfortunately for Iowa State, its defense finally wore down. Despite the offensive struggles, Jake Knott refused to blame any particular unit for the loss.
“The team is a family,” the senior said. “If one side isn’t doing as well as the other, or vice-versa, you have to pick each other up. Once again, I thought we did that for part of the game, but we could have finished stronger, definitely.”
Klein’s big play
Linebacker A.J. Klein etched his name into the NCAA record books on Saturday night with one spectacular play.
In the first quarter, Klein stepped in front of a Doege pass and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown. The big play gave Iowa State a 7-0 lead.
“I swear, he’s just glue to the ball,” McDonough said.
It was the fourth interception return for touchdown in Klein’s career, tying the NCAA record for INT returns for touchdowns by a linebacker.
Quick hits
– Official attendance on Saturday was 54,149.
– James White led the Cyclones in receiving with four catches for 30 yards.
– White was also the leading rusher with 60 yards on nine carries.
– Steele Jantz rushed and scrambled the ball 19 times for a combined net of 14 yards.
– Kenny Williams paced the Texas Tech rushing attack with 80 yards on the ground.
– Ernst Brun’s touchdown grab was his second of the season.
