Iowa State bullies Texas, 24-0

AMES — Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads didn't how what the reaction would be to what he was about to say.

But he couldn't leave it unsaid.

'We shouldn't beat Texas, probably,' Rhoads said. 'Every kid that they recruit, if I go recruit them, I'm not going to get them. But we did, and we have twice, because the program is moving in the right direction.'

For just the second time in program history Iowa State upended Texas, this time 24-0 in Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones (3-5, 2-3) beat the Longhorns (3-5, 2-3) by seven in Austin during Rhoads' second season, but this one was different.

Rhoads has faced detractors during the dip in wins the past two seasons, but a win against a program like Texas — particularly a shutout — told him what he already knew about his staff and players. The last time the Longhorns were shutout against an unranked opponent was in 1961.

'(A shutout says) that the 3-4 is an OK defense, that (defensive coordinator) Wally (Burnham) is a pretty sharp coach, that the rest of the staff knows what they're doing and we've got kids that play with an unbelievable work ethic and passion,' Rhoads said. 'Tonight they made more plays.'

Iowa State controlled Texas in every phase of the game. The Cyclones outgained the Longhorns in total yards 426 to 204 and ran 92 plays against 54. Texas mustered just 98 total yards in the first half while Iowa State got off to the start it hoped with first-time starting quarterback Joel Lanning.

Lanning was 19 of 37 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown, while gaining 82 yards on the ground — effective in scramble situations — that jumpstarted a potent rushing attack. Mike Warren continued his hot streak with 32 carries and 158 yards with a score, completing his fifth 100-plus yard game in the last six outings.

After missing last week's game, Allen Lazard returned to lead the Cyclones in receiving with six catches for 66 yards. Dondre Daley made three grabs for 52 yards and a touchdown.

But for as effective as the offense looked at times, all of the credit reflected onto the defense.

'The defense played great. That might be one of the best games I've seen them play here,' Lanning said. 'It was just awesome and it gives us momentum because if we go three and out, we just knew they were going to go get them three and out or at least stop them.'

Texas punted nine times and threw one interception while crossing midfield on just three occasions. Strength within the UT offense lies in running the ball. Iowa State held the running game to 134 yards — quarterback Tyrone Swoopes was the leading rusher with 10 carries for 61 yards.

Swoopes and quarterback Jerrod Heard split time at signal caller, but the passing game stumbled all night. They combined to throw 12 for 22 for 85 yards and an interception.

Safety Qujuan Floyd had eight tackles to lead Iowa State while linebacker Jordan Harris had seven stops and a pick. Levi Peters was active early in the pass rush and finished with four tackles, including two sacks for a total of eight yards.

'We wanted to start fast on both sides of the ball. We want to get our offense the ball,' Peters said. 'We work with each other. We bring each other confidence, we bring each other fire. We need to keep rolling.'

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