Iowa State pulls away in second half, gets by TCU

Field Level Media|published: Sat 7th October, 23:29 2023

Iowa State Cyclones' running back Eli Sanders (6) breaks a tackle from TCU Horned Frogs' linebacker Shad Banks jR.(0) and drives for a touchdown during the first half in the Jack Trice Legacy Game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. credits: NIrmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK

Rocco Becht passed for 138 yards and a touchdown and Eli Sanders and Abu Sama scored on the ground as Iowa State dominated the second half on the way to a 27-14 win over TCU on Saturday in Big 12 Conference action in Ames, Iowa.

The Cyclones (3-3, 2-1 Big 12) produced their most balanced game of the season, doing more than enough offensively and forcing four TCU turnovers. Sanders amassed 99 yards on 16 carries, leading an Iowa State rushing attack that finished with 215 yards.

Backup quarterback Josh Hoover led the Horned Frogs (3-3, 1-2) with 119 yards and a touchdown passing but also uncorked one of TCU's four interceptions. Starting quarterback Chandler Morris was forced to exit the game just over four minutes into the third quarter with what appeared to be a knee injury.

Emani Bailey did his part to keep the Horned Frogs in the game, rushing for 152 yards on 21 carries.

The Cyclones jumped out in front with a 4-yard touchdown run by Sanders with 23 seconds to play in the opening quarter. TCU responded on its ensuing possession, driving 78 yards in 11 plays to a 6-yard TD pass from Morris to Savion Williams that tied the game at 7-7 at the 10:28 mark of the second quarter.

Iowa State's Darien Porter blocked a TCU punt with 52 seconds to play in the second quarter, and it was recovered by Ben Nikkel and returned to the Horned Frogs 11. Chase Contreraz then booted a 26-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to give the Cyclones a 10-7 lead.

The second half belonged to Iowa State in a big way.

Sama burst up the middle for a 55-yard TD run with 11:30 to play in the third quarter. Becht then connected with Easton Dean for a 1-yard scoring pass with 3:27 to play in the quarter at the end of a 38-yard drive that began in TCU territory after a short punt.

Contreraz added a 21-yard field goal with 11:27 left in the game before Hoover hit Blake Nowell with a window-dressing 9-yard touchdown pass with 1:17 remaining to close the scoring.

—Field Level Media

Latest