Recap: Iowa State football's comeback bid falls short against No. 24 Texas in 24-21 loss
Iowa State football kicked off against Texas on Saturday, with hopes of snapping a three game losing streak that has the Cyclones at the bottom of the Big 12.
But, instead, it was Texas that stopped a streak. After losing the last three games against Iowa State, it was the Longhorns who came out on top, 24-21. For the third straight week, Iowa State lost by three or less points.
The Cyclones have yet to win a conference game this season and are one of only two programs in the conference looking for that first win against a Big 12 opponent.
Here's what happened in the Cyclones loss to Texas.
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FINAL: Texas 24, Iowa State 21
A late fumble by Hunter Dekkers sealed the victory for the Longhorns. Iowa State falls to 3-4 on the season after losing four straight games.
4:43/Q4 — Texas takes back the lead
Xavier Worthy gives the Longhorns the go-ahead touchdown after Iowa State's defense can't stop Texas on fourth and goal.
10:58/Q4 — Hunter Dekkers scores to put Iowa State ahead
The Cyclones quarterback scored his second rushing touchdown of the season - fourth of his career - to put Iowa State ahead, 21-17. Did you have two Jaylin Noel touchdowns and a rushing touchdown from Dekkers on your bingo card this Saturday?
End of third quarter — Texas 17, Iowa State 14
The Cyclones will start the fourth quarter with the ball in Hunter Dekkers' hands after the defense held off Texas. It's first down for Iowa State on the 47-yard line.
4:27/Q3 — Jaylin Noel, round two
The Iowa State wide receiver scored his first career touchdown to start the game, and he just picked up the Cyclones second of the afternoon on a 54-yard catch and run. Iowa State inches closer to Texas' 17-14 lead.
7:07/Q3 — Missed field goal puts the ball back in Texas hands
Jace Gilbert attempts a 46-yard field goal, and it went wide left. Iowa State's drive falls short one again, and it will be the defense's job to stop a Texas offense that is heating up.
10:07/Q3 — Longhorns extend their lead
Texas couldn't pick up a touchdown, but the Longhorns did add three points to their lead off a field goal from Bert Auburn, who missed an attempt earlier in the game.
HALFTIME — Texas 14, Iowa State 7
The Longhorns took a lot of time off the clock on that last scoring drive, and left Iowa State with no opportunity to even the score. Oh, and Texas will start the second half with the ball.
0:13/Q2 — Texas back on top
The Longhorns take back the lead off a touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers to Jordan Whittington. Iowa State's defense did little to stand in Texas' way on this drive.
5:42/Q2 — Back to a tie game
Texas has an Xavier of its own in the receiver room, and Quinn Ewers finds Xavier Worthy for a Longhorns touchdown. Extra point is good and this game is tied at seven a piece.
9:08/Q2 — Dekkers throws a costly interception
Iowa State has struggled with turnovers this season, and Texas had a big interception in the second quarter. Hunter Dekkers threw a pass intended for DeShawn Hanika but instead it ended up in the hands of Jaylan Ford. Texas gets the touchback, and Iowa State leaves the red zone without any points.
End of first quarter — Iowa State 7, Texas 0
The Cyclones have the only points on the scoreboard thanks to a connection from Hunter Dekkers to Jaylin Noel. Iowa State's defense continues to hold strong against Texas, but this game is far from over.
0:57/Q1 — Jaylin Noel gets Iowa State on the board
Hunter Dekkers found Jaylin Noel alone in the end zone for the first points of the game. It was the first touchdown pass of Noel's career, and it gives the Cyclones a 7-0 lead.
6:25/Q1 — Defense stands strong
Iowa State's defense stepped up once again and Texas needed to punt after the Cyclones pushed the Longhorns into a 4th and 36 situation. MJ Anderson stepped up with some big moments, and an odd backwards pass by Quinn Ewers led to the punt. Iowa State will take over on the 16-yard line.
11:35/Q1 — Texas wastes turnover opportunity
Well, the Cyclones defense stepped up and did their job after the blocked punt gave Texas ideal field position. Iowa State held the Longhorns to a field goal attempt, and Bert Auburn missed the 39-yard kick.
12:38/Q1 — Well, that's an interesting way to start the game
Iowa State received first, but after a penalty were forced to a quick three-and-out. But then Texas blocked the punt, and nearly had a touchdown off that, had Anthony Johnson Jr. not jumped on the ball at the 21-yard line.
Pregame injury update
Thanks to our own Randy Peterson, who is on-site in Texas, the Register has a bit of an injury update, although nothing is set in stone during warmups.
Colby Reeder, who left the Kansas State game with an injury, is not suited up against Texas. Running backs Jirehl Brock and Cartevious Norton are both suited up.
Is Iowa State going in reverse?
This is the first time the Cyclones have had a three-game losing streak since Matt Campbell’s debut, and this time is very different. When Iowa State was in this situation, the Cyclones had a brand-new head coach who made it his mission to reverse the program’s downward trajectory. And, for a while, that’s exactly what happened.
Travis Hines dives more into that subject, and what Iowa State needs to do to deal with this skid.
Will McDonald IV is one step closer to a Big 12 record
After two sacks against Kansas State last weekend, Will McDonald IV is close – super closer – to the Big 12 career sacks record.
Here’s more on that from Travis Hines: “McDonald, already Iowa State’s career leader in sacks, now has 32.5 in his career, which leaves him 1.5 from tying the all-time Big 12 mark set by Texas Tech’s Aaron Hunt. With his next sack, McDonald will pass Von Miller, the former Texas A&M standout and future NFL Hall of Famer, for second on the Big 12 list.”
More: Peterson on Iowa State's offensePeterson: More questions than answers when it comes to Iowa State football’s offense
More: Defense vs. offense is must-watchPeterson Prediction: Iowa State defense vs. Texas offense is must-watch viewing
A healthy Jake Remsburg could be the key for ISU’s offense
Iowa State welcomed back right tackle Jake Remsburg in the Kansas and Kansas State games, and the redshirt junior finally feels like he’s gotten back into his groove. But probably one of the biggest learning lessons from his time on the sidelines was how to be a leader, even when he isn’t playing.
Here is what Campbell said about Remsburg’s impact: “We talk all the time about give more than you take. If Jake never played another play in this program, he’s already given way more of himself than he’s ever taken from the program.”
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Recap: Iowa State football's comeback against Texas falls short
