Iowa State football makes uncharacteristic mistakes in first loss

AMES – It would be hard to sum up the evening better, more succinctly or more bluntly than Rocco Becht.

“It just wasn’t us,” the Iowa State quarterback said. “When a team plays like that, they deserve to lose.”

The Cyclones were not who they have been in the last seven games on Saturday. They didn't play well enough to win on Saturday.

And perfection no longer exists.

The things that had defined the No. 10 Cyclones and given them the best start in school history fell apart Saturday against Texas Tech in a 23-22 loss.

Iowa State was the least penalized team in the country on the night, averaging just over three players per game and 25 yards of damage. On the night, they were hit eight times for 59 yards.

The Cyclones ranked seventh nationally in turnover margin at plus-nine with no lost fumbles. That night they were tied with Texas Tech and lost their first fumble.

In the fourth-quarter loss, Iowa State had to come from behind twice and had the most will to win of the night. That night, Texas Tech covered 71 yards in 107 seconds and scored the game-winning touchdown in the final minute.

All Iowa State had done was get to 7-0 for the first time since 1938, they weren't in critical moments and moments against Texas Tech.

“You don’t want to play like that, especially early in November,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said, “and that’s what we did. We own it. We live with it. We grow from that.”

Whatever the disappointment – and there should be plenty – it's worth remembering that the last seven games happened anyway. I would imagine it's much more likely that the Cyclones are closer to the disciplined team of destiny they seemed to be in September and October than the team that treads rakes all over the field at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday.

“There were a lot of mistakes made,” defensive lineman Joey Petersen said. “We often shoot ourselves in the foot.”

And while panic shouldn't be on the agenda, reflection should be.

Two minutes with Joey Petersen after Iowa State's loss to Texas Tech

Joey Petersen of Iowa State football breaks down the Cyclones' loss to Texas Tech.

The Cyclones, as good as they are, have played closer games than a team with their ambitions would have if it wanted to avoid nights like this. Don't play Houston 3-0 in the first half. Don't throw two pick-sixes and give up 350 yards rushing to UCF. Don't be insecure against Iowa.

Don't collect flags or put the ball on the ground against Texas Tech.

You play around and sometimes you figure it out.

“If you leave it to chance and don’t do your job with great precision and detail, it’s difficult,” Campbell said. “Unfortunately we did that tonight and it burned us.”

Burnt, but not burned.

As much as this loss for Iowa State was a huge disappointment for Homecoming, the only thing the team lost on Saturday was perfection. The rest of his lofty goals and possibilities remain on the table.

But if you can lose at home to Texas Tech, you can lose every game left on your schedule. It can happen to you so quickly.

The Cyclones need to view Saturday as an aberration and not a cause for alarm. And they'll have to prove it next week against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium.

Iowa State defensive lineman Myles Purchases talks about the Cyclones' loss

Iowa State defensive lineman Myles Purchases talks about the Cyclones' loss to Texas Tech

“The things we can control,” cornerback Myles Purchase said, “we have to be able to control.”

“It's definitely hard knowing the game was in our hands and we could have stopped it right on the last drive. It’s definitely tough.”

Iowa State was sloppy on Saturday. It was undisciplined. It wasn't as clutch capable as before.

The Cyclones weren't themselves and didn't deserve to win.

The quarterback is right.

“This team is better than that,” Becht said. “We have to offer better football.”

Iowa State columnist Travis Hines has covered the Cyclones for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune since 2012. Contact him at [email protected] or (515) 284-8000. FFollow him on X at @TravisHines21.

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