Recap: Iowa State football falls to Memphis in Liberty Bowl
The Iowa State football team fought valiantly, but the Cyclones were unable to end the season on a high note, falling 36-26 to Memphis in the Liberty Bowl on Friday night.
Check out all the highlights and biggest moments in this recap.
FINAL: Memphis 36, Iowa State 26
4Q/2:24 Memphis converts
Iowa State can't hold on a Seth Henigan sneak and Memphis converts on the fourth and short.
More: Randy Peterson's thoughts on Iowa State's Liberty Bowl loss despite Becht, Higgins monster games
4Q/2:27 Game on the line here
Memphis has had the ball for over seven minutes on this drive. They're just outside the ISU 10 and have fourth-and-inches.
A first down, in all reality, ends the game. A stop or settling for three points gives ISU a chance.
4Q/9:55 Cyclones refuse to quit
Iowa State is right back in this one. They go on a six-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. That was punctuated with a 23-yard frozen rope of a pass from Rocco Becht to Jaylin Noel. Cyclones failed on a two-point conversion, so are still down 36-26.
Freshman Beni Ngoyi made his first career catch, a 46-yarder, down the sideline to set up the score.
4Q/11:52 Memphis can't add on
Memphis drove down the field and drained some clock, but could not capitalize with points. Tanner Gillis, who has missed a PAT and drilled a 48-yarder eariler, missed a 31-yard attempt.
ISU gets the ball back deep in their own teritory.
END OF THIRD: Memphis 36, Iowa State 20
The Tigers have the ball and are driving. They'll face a second-and-1 from the Iowa State 20 to start the final quarter.
3Q/4:01 Iowa State gets the ball moving
It looked like another failed offensive possession for Iowa State in the second half. The Cyclones were facing third-and-26. ISU dialed up a screen pass to Carson Hansen. He made several guys miss to go for 35 yards and keep the drive alive.
A few plays later Rocco Becht hit Easton Dean from 15 yards out for a touchdown.
Iowa State down 36-20.
3Q/7:59 Tigers strike again
On third-and-8 Memphis connects on a short crossing route which Sutton Smith hauls in, makes three defenders miss and then speeds to the end zone for a 47-yard score.
That was a three-play, 50-yard drive that lasted just 1:01.
Memphis leads 36-13.
3Q/9:00 Another three-and-out for Iowa State
The Cyclones give the ball right back to Memphis following another three-and-out. So far in the second half ISU has a total of negative-5 yards on two possessions.
Tigers get the ball back at midfield after a bad punt.
3Q/11:38 Memphis offense finds its groove again
After giving up 13 unanswered to the Cyclones, the Tigers have now scored 10 straight of their own. On their first drive of the second half, Memphis goes 65 yards to the end zone. Seth Henigan tossed a 5-yard pass to Anthony Landphere in the middle of the end zone.
The score was set up by a 55-yard run by Blake Watson on the second play of the drive.
Tigers up 29-13
3Q/13:52 Three-and-out gives the ball back to Memphis
Tigers will have decent field position, their own 35, to start this drive.
3Q/15:00 Back underway in Memphis
ISU will have the ball to start things in the second half.
HALFTIME: Memphis 22, Iowa State 13
The Tigers marched quickly into field goal range thanks to a trick play to set up a 49-yard attempt with seconds remaining in the half.
Tanner Gillis drilled the kick, a season-long for him, to send Memphis into the locker room with a bit more momentum.
ISU gets the ball to start the second half.
2Q/0:35 Iowa State makes it a one-score game
The Cyclones work down the field quickly to cut it to a one-score game just before the break. Chase Contreraz drilled a 39 yarder to make the score 19-13 in favor of the Tigers.
2Q/1:44 Iowa State defense holds strong
Memphis drove past midfield and into ISU territory. Facing a fourth-and-2 the Tigers opted to try and pick up the first down.
But Will McLaughlin stuffs the rush attempt for just one yard. Iowa State takes over at their own 37.
2Q/6:19 Cyclones clawing back into this one
Iowa State adds three more points on a 22-yard field goal from Chase Contreraz to cut the Memphis lead to just nine points, 19-10.
The highlight of that drive was a big catch by Jayden Higgins, which went for 53 yards.
2Q/10:22 Iowa State forces a three-and-out
Cyclones take over at their own 29 after the punt from Memphis.
Tigers up 19-7.
2Q/11:25 Iowa State gets on the board
The Cyclones march down the field, putting together a seven-play, 75-yard drive. Rocco Becht found Jayden Higgins, who took it 29 yards to the end zone.
Some life from ISU there.
Memphis up 19-7.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Memphis 19, Iowa State 0
1Q/0:30 Seth Henigan is dominating
The Memphis QB gets his third touchdown of the day, a 51-yard strike to Iowa State transfer Joe Scates.
They go for two but fail to convert.
Tigers up 19-0 as time in the first quarter is ticking down.
1Q/2:45 Cyclones find breathing room, but not much more
ISU was backed up inside their own 10 to start that drive. Rocco Becht found Jaylin Noel to get out to open field. But that was the only first down the Cyclones could get on that drive. They punt back to the Tigers and Memphis takes over from deep in their own territory following a nice punt.
1Q/5:53 Memphis finds paydirt again
Following the turnover on downs, the Tigers drive right down the field and find the end zone for the second time in the first quarter. Seth Henigan took the ball in from 11 yards out. PAT makes it 13-0.
Memphis converted on a fourth-and-1 from inside the red zone on that drive.
Cyclones need to get moving fast. This Tigers offense is good.
1Q/10:53 Iowa State offense fails to convert
On fourth-and-1 the Cyclones kept the offense out on the field from their own 46. ISU dialed up a designed QB keeper to Rocco Becht, who was tackled at the line of scrimmage.
Turnover on downs and Memphis takes over up 6-0 in ISU territory.
1Q/13:41 Memphis strikes first
The Tigers wasted no time to get the scoring started. On third-and-5 Seth Henigan hit DeMeer Blankumsse for a 70-yard strike.
PAT is missed but Memphis will take a 6-0 lead.
2:35 Iowa State will start on defense
ISU wins the toss and defers. Memphis and its high-powered offense will start with the ball first.
2:30 Almost time for football
The game will get underway in just a few moments.
2:00 p.m. Malik Verdon not going for Iowa State
Iowa State safety Malik Verdon has been dealing with a hand injury during bowl prep. Randy Peterson, who is on-site in Memphis, has said he will not suit up on Friday to take on the Tigers.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Recap: Iowa State football can't take down Memphis in Liberty Bowl
