Longhorns Survive Iowa State Assault » Brats & Beer

September 24, 2006
posted under: Austin Flynn, Iowa State football, Janna Skrabanek

Okay, it wasn’t much of an assault and the final score was pretty lopsided, but I have to say that the Cyclones showed a lot of poise in their 37-14 loss to UT. Recovering from a 16-0 deficit and actually running with a nationally ranked team like Texas, even if it was for just part of one half, was pretty impressive for little ‘ol ISU. Also impressive is the fact that Iowa State wide receiver Austin Flynn is dating a cheerleader for the Houston Texans, the hottie pictured here. Way to go!

The Cyclones really got off to a bad start yesterday, going three and out on their first possession and then getting scored on right away. Then came the safety during a punt when Matt Purvis hoisted the ball way over Mike Brandtner’s head and through the back of the end zone. Then another UT score on a three play drive. I was about ready to just turn off the TV at that point.

But then the ‘Clones came roaring back. Bret Meyer led a nine-play drive for a touchdown at the end of the first quarter, and then a seven-play drive for a touchdown at the start of the second period, and suddenly ISU was right back in the game. For about 10 minutes. From there it was all downhill as UT scored on a 25-yard pass and a short run to take a 30-14 halftime lead.

I don’t know how much you can learn from a game like this where ISU is overmatched at almost every position. Can you really fault the defense for giving up 439 yards to a team that has averaged 417 yards a game? And least the ground game gained positive yards, all 21 of them. Penalties, though, was a sore spot for the Cyclones and the tackling was pretty bad, atrocious even. ISU might have actually stood a chance had they been able to bring people down.

Those two areas, among others, need to be worked on, and what better way to get in some extra practice time than with Northern Iowa coming to town next weekend. The Panthers are 2-1 and with nothing really to lose will probably play pretty hard for the upset, so the Cyclones need to be in top form and not let their guard down.