ISU falls 27-13 to Rutgers in Pinstripe Bowl

NEW YORK - In the end, Iowa State couldn't convert when it needed to on offense, defense or special teams.

The Cyclones lost the Pinstripe Bowl 27-13 to Rutgers on Friday with breakdowns in all three phases. ISU struggled on third down offensively, converting just 2-of-13 third-down opportunities. Iowa State was popped for an 86-yard TD pass midway through the fourth quarter just when it was within striking distance. And a 93-yard kickoff return was negated by a holding call.

That usually spells defeat for any team, and it did for Iowa State at Yankee Stadium.

Iowa State trailed 20-13 with 6:40 left in the game and had Rutgers backed up on its 13. On second down and 9, Rutgers quarterback Chas Dodd found 6-foot-6 wide receiver Brandon Coleman isolated one-on-one with 5-7 ISU cornerback Jeremy Reeves down his left sideline. Dodd hit Coleman in stride, and the receiver ran past Reeves for an 84-yard touchdown to push the lead to 27-13.

The first half was much of the same for ISU, which trailed 17-6 at halftime. Iowa State had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown wiped out because of a holding call. The Cyclones have missed two field goals, and a quarterback fumble gave the Scarlet Knights the ball on the 4-yard line. Quarterback Jared Barnett was injured and did not return.

Iowa State (6-7) scored field goals on its first two possessions to take a 6-0 lead. But Rutgers rallied after missing a field goal to put together a 10-play, 74-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Jawan Jamison on fourth down and goal.

The Cyclones gave the ball back to Rutgers on the next possession. Barnett was hit and stripped by linebacker Khaseem Greene on third-and-12, and defensive end Scott Vallone picked up the ball and rambled to the 4-yard line. Iowa State's defense stiffened, however, and held Rutgers to a field goal.

On the next play, ISU returner Jarvis West returned the kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. But backup running back Tyler Leo was called for holding, bringing the ball back to ISU's 26. Steele Jantz replaced Barnett and drove the Cyclones to the Rutgers' 33, but the drive stalled in a missed 51-yard field-goal attempt. ISU also had a 44-yard field goal attempt blocked.

ISU has struggled on third down, converting just 1 of 8. The Cyclones have completed just 6-of-15 passes for 52 yards.

Rutgers then drove down the field, scoring on a 12-yard run by Jamison. The Scarlet Knights entered the game as the nation's 115th rushing offense at 91 yards per game. Rutgers now has 88 rushing yards.

Jamison has 61 yards on 11 carries. Rutgers started Chas Dodd, but Gary Nova played most of the second quarter.