Ball bounces Cyclones’ way at best possible time
IOWA CITY – In desperate need of some good fortune, Iowa State finally caught a long-awaited break here Saturday – with a little help from the sidelines of its arch rival.
Cyclone Nation let out a collective groan as Cole Netten’s 42-yard field goal attempt sailed inches wide of the goalpost to seemingly end regulation play with Iowa in a 17-17 stalemate. Instead of preparing for overtime, though, Netten was granted a mulligan via a last-second timeout by Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz.
The sophomore kicker from Ankeny didn’t miss take two, and ISU’s comeback from an 11-point second-half deficit was officially complete.
Somehow. Some way.
For the second time in as many tries at Kinnick Stadium, the Cyclones were the last team standing after an ugly afternoon of football. Warts and all, a contest filled with confusion and frustration on both sides ended with a perfectly-timed victory rescue by head coach Paul Rhoads’ program.
Netten’s fortuitous second chance provided the lasting image of a double-digit underdog draped in perseverance. Iowa State trailed 14-3 midway through the third quarter, but found its rally cry despite losing two more receivers – Jarvis West and P.J. Harris – and two more offensive linemen – Daniel Burton and Jacob Dunning – to injury.
How did it happen? For starters, the tide began to turn when T.J. Mutcherson intercepted an errant Jake Rudock throw midway through that third period. Believe it or not, the turnover was the first of the season forced by ISU – 150-some odd minutes of game time into 2014.
The pick led to the Cyclones’ first touchdown. The touchdown invigorated the defense. The defense then fueled the offense. And the rest was history.
For the third consecutive week, the mood was anything but settled in Iowa’s camp. This time, though, the other shoe dropped on the Hawkeyes’ previously and somehow unblemished record.
Iowa continues to face glaring questions on both sides of the ball. The offense came up woefully short in the pass game, and the rushing attack couldn’t even produce three yards per carry despite the surprising late activation of All-American tackle Brandon Scherff.
The Hawkeye defense, meanwhile, again struggled to find a level of consistency behind an inexperienced group of linebackers. The pass rush was neutralized. Adjustments never came.
In the first half, Iowa looked like the team that should win convincingly. By the fourth quarter, the Hawkeyes deserved the fate they were forced to accept.
Whether that’s a credit to Iowa State or an indictment of Iowa remains to be seen. Both programs are miles away from where they need to be. The difference? The Cyclones are showing signs of relative progress, while the Hawks are – at best – stuck in neutral.
As usual, it’s hard to draw too many conclusions from a mid-September game. There’s no sense in overreacting to an isolated event. With that being said, ominous early-season signs can be difficult to shake.
Iowa and Iowa State will undoubtedly get better compared to what we see now, but will it be enough to ultimately deem this season a success? Possibly. For now, though, the Cyclones celebrate and the Hawkeyes go back to the drawing board after a loss to ISU for the ninth time in 16 years under Ferentz.
Just what the doctor ordered in Ames. How did the prescription go over in Iowa City? Yet another bitter pill to swallow.
Eric Pratt is Sports Editor at The Messenger. He may be reached at 1-800-622-6613, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net
Ball bounces Cyclones’ way at best possible time
IOWA CITY – In desperate need of some good fortune, Iowa State finally caught a long-awaited break here Saturday – with a little help from the sidelines of its arch rival.
Cyclone Nation let out a collective groan as Cole Netten’s 42-yard field goal attempt sailed inches wide of the goalpost to seemingly end regulation play with Iowa in a 17-17 stalemate. Instead of preparing for overtime, though, Netten was granted a mulligan via a last-second timeout by Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz.
The sophomore kicker from Ankeny didn’t miss take two, and ISU’s comeback from an 11-point second-half deficit was officially complete.
Somehow. Some way.
For the second time in as many tries at Kinnick Stadium, the Cyclones were the last team standing after an ugly afternoon of football. Warts and all, a contest filled with confusion and frustration on both sides ended with a perfectly-timed victory rescue by head coach Paul Rhoads’ program.
Netten’s fortuitous second chance provided the lasting image of a double-digit underdog draped in perseverance. Iowa State trailed 14-3 midway through the third quarter, but found its rally cry despite losing two more receivers – Jarvis West and P.J. Harris – and two more offensive linemen – Daniel Burton and Jacob Dunning – to injury.
How did it happen? For starters, the tide began to turn when T.J. Mutcherson intercepted an errant Jake Rudock throw midway through that third period. Believe it or not, the turnover was the first of the season forced by ISU – 150-some odd minutes of game time into 2014.
The pick led to the Cyclones’ first touchdown. The touchdown invigorated the defense. The defense then fueled the offense. And the rest was history.
For the third consecutive week, the mood was anything but settled in Iowa’s camp. This time, though, the other shoe dropped on the Hawkeyes’ previously and somehow unblemished record.
Iowa continues to face glaring questions on both sides of the ball. The offense came up woefully short in the pass game, and the rushing attack couldn’t even produce three yards per carry despite the surprising late activation of All-American tackle Brandon Scherff.
The Hawkeye defense, meanwhile, again struggled to find a level of consistency behind an inexperienced group of linebackers. The pass rush was neutralized. Adjustments never came.
In the first half, Iowa looked like the team that should win convincingly. By the fourth quarter, the Hawkeyes deserved the fate they were forced to accept.
Whether that’s a credit to Iowa State or an indictment of Iowa remains to be seen. Both programs are miles away from where they need to be. The difference? The Cyclones are showing signs of relative progress, while the Hawks are – at best – stuck in neutral.
As usual, it’s hard to draw too many conclusions from a mid-September game. There’s no sense in overreacting to an isolated event. With that being said, ominous early-season signs can be difficult to shake.
Iowa and Iowa State will undoubtedly get better compared to what we see now, but will it be enough to ultimately deem this season a success? Possibly. For now, though, the Cyclones celebrate and the Hawkeyes go back to the drawing board after a loss to ISU for the ninth time in 16 years under Ferentz.
Just what the doctor ordered in Ames. How did the prescription go over in Iowa City? Yet another bitter pill to swallow.
Eric Pratt is Sports Editor at The Messenger. He may be reached at 1-800-622-6613, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net
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