No controversy. Simply heartbreak.
Iowa State showed its newfound resilience throughout Saturday’s wild Big 12 slugfest at Texas, but not enough to avert another gut punch-like ending against the Longhorns.
Texas won the grueling, desperate battle between a pair of previously 2-4 teams on a field goal of all things.
Nick Rose knocked through a 21-yarder with three seconds left to send the snake-bitten Cyclones to their fourth straight conference loss, 48-45.
ISU (2-5, 0-4) and Texas (3-4, 2-2) combined for more than 1,000 yards of offense. The Cyclones had pulled into a 45-45 tie on Sam Richardson’s 11-yard touchdown pass to E.J.Bibbs with 28 seconds left.
But the Longhorns — who led 14-0 midway through the first quarter — didn’t settle for overtime. On first and 10 at the 28, Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes found receiver Jaxon Shipley in single coverage. Shipley held on, moving into field goal range at the ISU 33.
The ‘Horns advanced inside the 5-yard line before Rose hit the game-winner and thwarted the Cyclones’ comeback effort.
Richardson threw for 351 yards for the second game in a row, tossing three touchdowns and two interceptions.
ISU showed signs of life in the ground, too, with Aaron Wimberly rushing 14 times for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Receivers D’Vario Montgomery and Allen Lazard again stood tall downfield for the Cyclones, combining for 186 yards of catches. Lazard added a touchdown. Bibbs finished with two TDs to up his season total to six.
But none of that prevented another close loss. Two of ISU’s Big 12 losses have come by four points or fewer.
The Cyclones face a bye week before Oklahoma comes to Ames Nov. 1.
