Longhorns Survive on Road in 31-30 win against Iowa State
Texas became familiar with Iowa State's upset ability in 2010, as the Cyclones took down the 21st ranked Longhorns. They narrowly avoided another shocker, rallying to win on the road in an exciting 31-30 win.
The Longhorns jumped out to a 10-0 lead and dictated the tempo for the first quarter. Johnathan Gray burst for a 45-yard score on the Longhorns' first possession and The Horns were helped by some sloppy play from the home team.
Nearly all of the second quarter was an entirely different story as the Cyclones fought back to score 13 points. Sam B. Richardson hit Aaron Wimberly on an 11-year strike, and eluded Texas defenders seemingly every time on third down possessions, as the Cyclones converted seven third down possessions in the first half. The Cyclones possessed the ball for 19 minutes and 59 seconds of the first half, usually a staple for a Longhorn offense that Mack Brown stressed would run the ball.
Texas found new life when Case McCoy and John Harris hooked up on a 44-yard Hail Mary to give the Horns the lead heading into the half. Down 17-13, the crowd in Ames entered the second half stunned after seemingly taking control of the game.
The tables turned in the third quarter when Richardson connected with Quenton Bundrage on a 97-yard touchdown against a Cover 1 defense to put the Cyclones up again. The score, which occurred on a third-and-9 play, set the mark for the longest pass play in Cyclones history.
Joe Bergeron had two critical plays in the second half. Texas fired back and was aided by two defensive pass interference penalties, leading to a six-yard score by Bergeron that put the Longhorns up by four. Unfortunately, Bergeron fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter and set the Cyclones up for an Aaron Wimberly 20-yard score to give the Cyclones a 27-24 lead after Cole Netten's extra point.
The Longhorns bent but didn't break, holding the Cyclones to a 29-yard field goal that put the Cyclones up by six with 3:43 left in the game, and the Longhorns took advantage for the biggest score of their season thus far.
The Longhorns were helped by three penalties and a controversial ruling on a Johnathan Gray fumble, and Case McCoy snuck in on a one-yard score to tie the score. An Anthony Fera extra point gave the Longhorns a 31-30 lead.
The Cyclones had one last chance but Jackson Jeffcoat picked off a Sam B. Richardson pass to seal the deal.
The Longhorns now sit at 3-2, 2-0 in the Big 12, and get a bye and some extra time to prepare for the biggest game of their season, the Red River Shootout in Dallas versus rival Oklahoma. The time off will hopefully give David Ash enough rest to recover from his head injury. The Longhorns will need all their weapons against an Oklahoma team that always seems to play tough in Dallas. A win for Texas would go a long way for righting the ship and changing the temperature of a season that has been trying at times. Put your Horns up and we will see you in two Saturdays.
