Recap: Iowa State loses at Ohio, 10-7
The Iowa State football team rolled into Athens, Ohio, coming off a heartbreaking loss to in-state rival Iowa.
Iowa State's latest loss may sting even more.
The Cyclones closed out their non-conference portion of the schedule with a 10-7 loss to Ohio Saturday.
The Mid-American Conference Bobcats improved to 3-1 on the season while Iowa State fell to 1-2 on the year.
Here's how the latest setback, the second in a row for Iowa State, transpired.
Final: Ohio 10, Iowa State 7
Ballgame.
1:24/4Q Ohio now running out the clock
It's third down but Iowa State is likely out of time.
2:13/4Q Becht gets picked off
His intended target can't come down with the pass after a hard hit gets delivered as it comes to him.
That may be the game.
2:21/4Q Iowa State has some work to do
After a 48-yard punt, Iowa State takes over on it's own 12-yard line.
2:34/4Q - Here we go
Ben Nikkel comes up with a huge stop for Iowa State on third down. That'll force Ohio to punt on fourth-and-11.
2:43/4Q Iowa State takes a timeout
Cyclones defense delivering again. With Ohio facing a third-and-nine, Iowa State takes a timeout. Cyclones trying to make sure they have plenty of time for another drive late in the game while they trail by 3.
4:15/4Q Iowa State pulls to within 10-7 of Ohio
The shutout is over. Iowa State is in this. Becht fires a perfectly placed 18-yard touchdown pass to Higgins to give Iowa State some much-needed points. How big is the missed call on that last field goal attempt?
5:03/4Q Iowa State's defense gets a big stop
Another score might have been it for the Cyclones. Instead, they get the ball back with some good time still left on the clock.
Also, replays of the kick looked like it was good. What a big play that would have been.
7:23/4Q Iowa State's best drive ends with a missed field goal
Contreraz misses a 37-yard attempt, his second miss of the game and Iowa State still trails 10-0. That was the best Iowa State's offense has looked all day. But it couldn't even end with points. Yikes.
9:54/4Q This might be Iowa State's best drive of the day
Becht has had a couple of nice runs on this series. Iowa State is getting close to the red zone. Cyclones desperately need points this possession.
13:58/4Q Ohio takes a 10-0 lead
A 27-yard field goal puts Ohio ahead in the fourth quarter. But, it could have been much worse. Jeremiah Cooper came up with a huge pass breakup in the end zone and prevented a touchdown.
End of the 3Q Ohio leads Iowa State 7-0
Bobcats are in the red zone and looking to tack onto their lead.
1:04/3Q Ohio marches deep into Iowa State territory
The Bobcats are putting together a long and draining drive. Another touchdown would be a lot for Iowa State to overcome.
Too much?
4:45/3Q Ruling on the field stands
Iowa state is forced to punt again. Perkins has been a busy guy today. He's probably been the best player for the Cyclones. He unleashes a 48-yard punt that is downed deep in Ohio's territory.
4:59/3Q Dimitri Stanley's catch is under review
Stanley hauled in a nice catch from Becht but officials determined he was short of the first down. They're taking a look at it. Potentially a big play for Iowa State if they can move the chains.
6:43/3Q Iowa State's decision to punt pays off
Ohio can't do anything on offense, either. Iowa State forces the Bobcats to punt after a three and out. Cyclones take over on the 33-yard line.
8:15/3Q Iowa State can't respond to Ohio's first touchdown
The Cyclones mulled over going for it on fourth-and-two but Campbell took a timeout and decided to punt it. Iowa State still struggling to generate any sort of offense.
11:18/3Q Ohio takes a 7-0 lead
We finally have some offense. Ohio takes advantage of the turnover and the great field position. Rourke fires a 5-yard touchdown pass to give Ohio a 7-0 lead.
14:09/3Q Rocco Becht picked off
Iowa State makes the first big mistake of the day with Becht being picked off. Appeared as his target fell down. Nonetheless, Ohio gets great field position.
Halftime: Great stat from Randy Peterson
Pete reports this is the first time since 2019 that Iowa State has failed to score in the first half of a game. The last time was Iowa State's 23-21 loss at Baylor. That's a span of 49-straight games.
Halftime: Key stat
8.
Iowa State tallied just 8 rushing yards in the first half.
8.
Halftime: Still scoreless
What a first half.
Six punts.
Two missed field goals.
Zero points.
26 seconds/2Q No catch
It didn't appear to be anyway.
32 seconds/2Q Official review
Officials are looking at a huge Ohio catch that may have been bobbled. Any big offensive play in this game probably is worthy of a second look at this point.
1:02/2Q More miscues force another Iowa State punt
The Cyclones started to go with an up tempo offense and even had some movement. But a pair of costly mistakes ended the drive. Becht fumbled for a huge loss. Then wide receiver Jayden Higgins couldn't haul in a deep open pass. Cyclones punt.
1:55/2Q Ohio punts....again
Another promising drive by the Bobcats ends with a punt. A look at how every series has gone for Ohio today:
Punt.
Punt.
Field goal attempt (miss).
Punt.
We've had five punts, two missed field goals and zero touchdowns today.
2:48/2Q Another big play from Tampa
The Iowa State star delivers a huge hit to stop a big completion across the middle of the field. Second big play of the game from Tampa.
6:32/2Q "If you just joined us, you haven't missed much."
Great quote from ESPNU play-by-play guy John Schriffen. That about sums it up.
8:43/2Q Iowa State's running game woes continue. But hey, Tyler Perkins is good!
The Cyclones still can't get much of a running game going. Becht even had some space on a scramble but couldn't pick up the first down. Iowa State is forced to punt. The good news: Perkins is legit. He boots a 50-yard punt that forces Ohio to start on its own 10-yard line.
End of the
10:50/2Q Ohio field goal is no good
An attempt by Ohio's kicker from 42 yards goes wide left. We're still scoreless.
This has been fun.
11:44/2Q Iowa State's defense bails out Ohio
Ohio was facing a tough third down and was on the verge of having to punt. But Iowa State's Jeremiah Cooper was whistled for a costly and probably unnecessary pass interference call that has kept the drive alive.
13:16/2Q Matt Campbell is not happy with the running game
Davenport talked to the Cyclones coach before the start of the second quarter. One of the biggest concerns for Campbell was Iowa State's rushing game which has produced just nine yards on the ground.
"We've got to be better in our running game," Campbell told her.
14:55/2Q Iowa State can't come away with any points
Iowa State's special teams troubles are back. Cyclones kicker Chase Contreraz misses a 47-yard field goal that would have put Iowa State ahead 3-0.
End of the 1Q Iowa State and Ohio scoreless
Iowa State has driven into Ohio territory and may be setting up for a field goal. The running game for the Cyclones has been pretty non-existent thus far. Becht is Iowa State's leading rusher....with 6 yards.
2:00/1Q Iowa State goes for it on fourth-and-one
The Cyclones get it thanks to a keep from Becht. Huge conversion for the Cyclones who keep their best drive of the day going.
4:04/1Q Rocco Becht completes a huge pass
Iowa State was facing a third-and-six and was on the verge of having to punt when Becht came up with a huge pass. The Iowa State quarterback unloaded a 45-yard pass to tight end Aidan Bitter to move the Cyclones across the field. It's the longest play from scrimmage for the Cyclones this season.
5:29/1Q Ohio's most promising drive comes to an end
Ohio's best drive of the day, which included a couple of first downs, comes to a close after Iowa State's T.J. Tampa comes up with a huge pass breakup. Ohio punts and Iowa State takes over at its own 15-yard line.
8:53/1Q Ohio is on the move
Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke has Ohio on the move during its second series with a pair of first downs. Rourke just scrambled for a 12-yard gain to get the Bobcats close to midfield.
11:27/1Q Iowa State and Ohio trade punts
Not the best start to the day for either offenses. The two go three and out and are forced to punt. Iowa State punter Tyler Perkins delivers a beauty though, pinning Ohio on its own 3-yard line with a 39-yard boot.
14:23/1Q Iowa State dealing with some illnesses
ESPN's Dawn Davenport is reporting that Iowa State's roster was hit with some food poisoning last night. It's impacted five or six players including quarterback Rocco Becht who is starting today. Wide receiver Jaylin Noel is questionable, though.
1044 a.m. Roster updates
Linebacker Gerry Vaughn, who missed the Iowa game, made the trip to Athens and is warming up prior to today's game. Running back Eli Sanders did not make the trip. Travis Hines also reports that true freshman wide receiver Beni Ngoyi has suited up for today's game.
10:30 a.m. Some pregame reading
While you wait for kickoff, here are some stories to help you pass the time.
More: Iowa State football hasn't allowed a sack in 2 games. Jarrod Hufford still expects better play.
More: Peterson: Big 12 predictions include Iowa State winning what Matt Campbell calls a “must-have”
More: Iowa State football's Ohio natives anticipate first of two trips home this season
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Recap: Iowa State falls at Ohio, 10-7
