Matt Cotcher
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FINAL SCORE: Texas 48 – Iowa State 45
First half: Texas – 28, Iowa State – 28
Second half: Texas – 20, Iowa State 17
First half observations
- ISU goes nowhere but backwards on their opening drive. On the tipped pass on 1st down, both Jordan Hicks and Peter Jinkens would have had a good shot at intercepting it if it hadn’t been batted down at the line of scrimmage.
- 3 plays later, it’s 7-0. A solid rush set up good play action, then Swoopes hit Johnson with a dart on a post. That’s the fast start the coaches have been looking for all season.
- On ISU's second drive, Sam Richardson’s 3rd down read of the Texas blitz was perfect. It gained 17 yards, but the Texas defense shut ISU down after that.
- Early on, the Horns are playing the same alignment of 3 down linemen that’s been so effective. No different tonight – Malcom Brown and Hasaan Ridgeway are dominating the LOS.
- Regardless of stepping out of bounds, the catch and run by Armanti Foreman is the juice this team needs.
- On ISU’s 3rd drive, they adjusted very well and started throwing quick passes out wide to stretch the Texas defense. Once they had the D spread out, they found room to run inside. Great playcalling from the Cyclones.
- The goal line interception from Swoopes was a typical mistake for a first year starter…especially one that might be pressing a bit to keep the offense flowing.
- John Harris’ fumble on the quick pitch is a poor choice of personnel. That kind of play is not Harris’ strength and that is irrespective of the scoop & score to tie it at 14.
- ISU identified Mykkele Thompson as the guy they wanted to test. It was Dylan Haines that was late into zone coverage that allowed the Cyclones to complete the long pass on the 3rd TD, but it’s Thompson that ISU is focused on.
- On the touchdown run by Swoopes that tied it 21-21, Geoff Swaim did an excellent job of sealing the corner. That score was very important for Swoopes and the offense both. And the defense latched on to the momentum and forced a 3-and-out. Streaky game.
- Strange, strange first half. I’m not sure whether to be more surprised at the defense or offense.
- Cedric Reed should get an assist on Malcom Brown’s sack (on ISU’s 1st drive of the half). Reed dominated from the left end and threw his hands up, making Richardson pull the ball down.
- Lining up both Brown and Gray in the backfield with Swoopes gives this offense a ton of flexibility. Great personnel grouping that’s been used in multiple formations.
- Shawn Watson’s playcalls were producing chunk yardage in the first half, but it’s resulted in no rhythm in the 2nd half running game. The OL and playcalls are out of sync. They aren’t testing the Cyclones ability to defend the perimeter.
- Yes, the Texas defense has been sub-par, but a lot of credit for that should go to Mark Mangino. He’s called an excellent game.
- Diggs gets a sack on a delayed blitz. He’s rarely been challenged by Richardson, so his contributions won’t show up on the stat sheet. He’s had an excellent game.
- Duke Thomas should buy the whole defense dinner for getting that interception. After being sacked twice, Richardson threw the pick way before he wanted to throw. Great team defense.
- Tyrone Swoopes is a completely different runner when the offense is in rhythm and he’s playing loose, confident football.
- At 38-31, the difference in the game is that Texas is taking advantage of ISU’s mistakes.
- Again, on the long catch and run on ISU’s touchdown drive that tied the game at 38, Richardson read the blitz and delivered a perfect pass.
- The last 5 minutes was great execution for both offenses. Touchdown; touchdown; field goal – like heavyweight boxers trading haymakers.
The unity and enthusiasm on the bench and sideline is stronger than it’s been in years. This team’s persona is coming together – a game like this (adversity) can galvanize a locker room.
This was a feel good win for the offense and the special teams. The defense got all the press for the first six games and tonight, the tables turned. As John Harris said after the game, “You never want to see your defense struggle, but yeah it [the offense picking up the slack tonight] felt good.â€
Notable Stat’s
- The Cyclones were 6/11 on 3rd down in the first half.
- Sam Richardson averages 47 yards rushing/game. He had 35 yards in the 1st half.
- 218 yards of offense in the final five minutes from both teams combined.
- Only 9 total penalties in an emotional back & forth game.
- Both teams finished with over 500 yards of total offense.
- Swoopes had 100 yards rushing before taking out negative/sack yardage.
- Will Russ averaged more than 50 yards/punt.
