Another top-10 club has its way with the Cyclones, 52-0

NORMAN, Okla. - Iowa State suffered its second consecutive 40-point loss to a Top 10 team Saturday, falling 52-0 to Oklahoma on Owen Field. The loss dropped the Cyclones to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 play with a trip to Texas on the horizon.

The game was essentially over at halftime when Iowa State trailed 31-0. The Cyclones struggled to move the ball consistently and sustain drives while the Sooners ran up and down the field at will against Iowa State's defense.

The night was a long one not only for the Cyclone D, but also quarterback Austen Arnaud. The senior was pestered by the Oklahoma defensive front throughout the game and was held to 2.3 yards per carry.

Arnaud had an efficient game through the air, completing 12 of 18 passes for 102 yards, but was pulled after the first drive of the second half for sophomore Jerome Tiller. Tiller was unable to provide the spark the Cyclone offense was seeking as it managed just 34 yards while he was in the game.

The Cyclones weren't completely lackluster on offense in the first half but at times were their own worst enemy. After a pair of three-and-outs, Iowa State's third drive of the game looked promising after converting on third down and 11. However, the drive stalled in Oklahoma territory after Arnaud was stopped for a two-yard loss on first down.

Two plays later, Iowa State was forced to attempt a 45-yard field goal, which was missed by Grant Mahoney.

Its next drive started well, with two strong runs by Alexander Robinson. On the next play, Arnaud was looking at the sideline for an audible when the ball was snapped off his helmet. The Cyclones were able to convert another third and 11, but again had the drive stall after a key loss on a play in Oklahoma territory.

The Cyclones' last drive of the first half resulted in another missed field goal by Mahoney. In all, Iowa State had four drives reach OU territory that resulted in no points in the first half.

Iowa State continued its struggles on third down against Oklahoma. It came into the game last in the Big 12, converting on just over 37 percent of its third downs. Against the Sooners, the Cyclones were 4-for-15 on third down.

“After a loss like this, (the mood) is down,” Iowa State punter Kirby Van Der Kamp said. “But tomorrow's a new day. We just have to keep pushing forward.”

In contrast to Iowa State's fight for yards, the Sooners found them easy to come by. While the Cyclones often found themselves facing third-and-long, Oklahoma averaged over 10 yards per play on first down in the first half, scoring on five of their six first-half drives.

“They were very disciplined and very physical,” Iowa State cornerback Ter'Ran Benton said. “Nothing else needs to be said. They were fast, but they were physical and they were fast. We practiced their tempo, but it was totally different.”

The Sooners reached the end zone on six of their nine drives while sophomore quarterback Landry Jones was in the game.

Jones personified the Sooners' efficient attack, completing 88.2 percent of his passes, a record for a Sooner quarterback with at least 25 attempts in a game. He finished the game 30-for-34 for 334 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

His wasn't the only record that was set against the Iowa State defense. Junior wide receiver Ryan Broyles broke his own school record for catches in a game by hauling in 15 for 182 yards and a touchdown.

Oklahoma's 672 yards was the most against Iowa State since Nov. 1, 2008, when Oklahoma State gained 682 yards in a 59-17 win over ISU.