Longhorns Country

FINAL: Texas Longhorns Defeat Iowa State Cyclones 26-16

The No. 7 Texas Longhorns travel to Ames, Iowa, to take on the Iowa State Cyclones in a game where they could clinch their spot in the Big-12 championship game.

SI Editorial

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It is gameday as the No. 7 Texas Longhorns travel to Ames on Saturday to take on the Iowa State Cyclones inside Jack Trice Stadium, as they hope to win out for a shot at the College Football Playoff.

Since the Oklahoma Sooners put a damper on Texas' goal of an undefeated season, the Longhorns have rattled off four straight wins. Another loss on the register, however, would end any opportunity for an already longshot playoff appearance.

“Another Big 12 championship game for us,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “We put ourselves in this position over a month ago and we’ve accepted the challenge. I think our guys have responded to that. We’ll go into another hostile environment on Saturday night."

Quinn Ewers
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) warms up ahead of the game against Texas Christian University at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas :: Aaron E. Martinez/ USA TODAY NETWORK

Sarkisian and the Longhorns aren't just eyeing a conference championship in Arlington, Texas needs to win out and get some help for its first College Football Playoff appearance.

Iowa State is also eyeing the Big 12 championship game, although it needs to win out and get some help.

“We want to play meaningful football in November, number one,” Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said. “Our kids understand where we want to be. We’ve said it from day one. We don’t need to talk about those things. We need to do it. I think sometimes you can talk, and sometimes you need to do.”

The Cyclones have been perfect this season in the red zone - the only Big 12 team that can say that - scoring on every opportunity inside their opponent's 20-yard line in conference games. Iowa State is 24-fo-24, with 14 touchdowns and 10 field goals.

WHAT: Texas Longhorns (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) at Iowa State Cyclones (6-4, 5-2 Big 12)

WHERE: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA (61,500)

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, 7 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)

HOW TO LISTEN: KVET-AM 1300 / KVET-FM 98.1

TICKETS: SI Tickets

BETTING Odds via SI Sportsbook

SPREAD: Longhorns -7.5

OVER/UNDER: 46.5

MONEYLINE: Longhorns -300, Cyclones +220

First Quarter 

After Quinn Ewers found Adonai Mitchell and Ja'Tavion Sanders for first downs on gains of 11 and 15 yards respectively, a third-and-10 pass to C.J. Baxter was incomplete as a big hit prevented the completion. 

Change of Possession

A six-yard run on second-down was the only positive play for the Cyclones as they suffered a three-and-out. 

Change of Possession

A Baxter run kicked off the drive with a 12-yard gain before two sacks helped the Cyclones force another Longhorns punt.

Change of Possession

The Cyclones put together a long 11-play drive as they got deep into Longhorn territory before a Byron Murphy sack on third-down held Iowa State to a field goal. 

FIELD GOAL CYCLONES

Iowa State 3, Texas 0

Change of Possession

Ewers found Worthy for a gain of 17 yards early before a holding penalty helped the Cyclones' defense force another punt.

Change of Possession

Thanks to a 54-yard punt that pinned Iowa State at their own 10-yard-line, the Texas defense was able to get off the field with a quick three-and-out as Alfred Collins managed to sack Rocco Becht on third-down.

Change of Possession

Second Quarter 

A touchdown pass was taken off the board for the Longhorns as Kelvin Banks was called for a holding penalty. However, Texas did manage points as they were forced to settle for a field goal after Ewers' pass on third-and-long fell incomplete.

FIELD GOAL LONGHORNS 

Iowa State 3, Texas 3

Change of Possession

Becht led the Cyclones 42 yards in seven plays as he had an early 18-yard completion before another one for 15 yards to put Iowa State in Texas territory. However, the Texas defense was able to get off the field with a third-down stop, forcing the Cyclones to attempt a field goal, which was wide left. 

Change of Possession

Ewers completed two big passes to Xavier Worthy, one for a gain of 11 before another for 30 yards before another touch for the junior receiver got the ball again on a jet sweep, which would have picked up 16 yards if not for a drive-ending fumble.

Change of Possession

After three consecutive completions for Becht, the Longhorns' defense found a way to get off the field as they held a second-down pass short of the sticks before Becht's third-down pass was incomplete.

Change of Possession

The Longhorns opened the drive with a three-yard run for Jaydon Blue before another run, this time for Baxter, picked up 13 yards. After another sack, an underpressure Ewers found Sanders for a first-down on third and long. Then a 30-yard pass to Jordan Whittington set Texas up in Cyclones territory.

However, that is where the drive would stall for the Horns as an intentional grounding penalty on a third-down throwaway backed up the Texas field goal attempt. Auburn drilled his 50-yard field goal attempt to see Texas take the lead before halftime. 

FIELD GOAL LONGHORNS

Texas 6, Iowa State 3

Third Quarter 

Texas is able to force an Iowa State punt to start the second-half after the Cyclones gained 32 yards in seven plays.

Change of Possession

The Texas offense found its rhythm mixing up run and pass after Baxter broke off a 21-yard run on second-down. Then Ewers found Worthy for a gain of 19 yards and Blue for seven before Baxter picked up another nine yards on a run. That was all before the Longhorns capped off the drive with a 23-yard touchdown to Whittington.

TOUCHDOWN LONGHORNS 

Texas 13, Iowa State 3

Change of Possession

Iowa State was able to answer back with a touchdown of their own as Becht found his running back for a 14-yard touchdown pass. However, six points is all the Cyclones could muster as T'Vondre Sweat blocked the extra point attempt allowing Texas to return it for two points.

TOUCHDOWN CYCLONES 

 Texas 15, Iowa State 9

Change of Possession

The Longhorns only managed a yard amid a three-and-out drive as Ewers had two straight incompletions before a punt.

Change of Possession

The Cyclones' drive lasted just one play as Jerrin Thompson intercepted the pass of Becht to give Texas the ball back.

Change of Possession

Fourth Quarter 

Texas capitalized on the turnover as Ewers found Gunnar Helm for a 31-yard touchdown pass before Jordan Whittington took a jet sweep for the two-point conversion. 

TOUCHDOWN LONGHORNS 

Texas 23, Iowa State 9

Change of Possession

After three straight runs, which brought up a fourth-and-one, a play fake saw Becht find a wide-open Easton Dean for a 66-yard touchdown pass.

TOUCHDOWN CYCLONES 

Texas 23, Iowa State 16

Change of Possession

The Longhorns extended their lead but only with a 42-yard field goal from Bert Auburn after a long 11-play drive.

FIELD GOAL LONGHORNS 

Texas 26, Iowa State 16

Change of Possession

Iowa State picked up a first-down early as Becht found an 18-yard completion. However, that is all they could get before a turnover on downs. 

Change of Possession

Texas picked up the pair of first downs they needed to run out the clock.

FINAL: Texas 26, Iowa State 16

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