Cyclones' Texans come up short

AMES - Another home game, another chance to knock off a Texas school came and went.

Texas beat ISU, 37-14, Oct. 1, and Texas A&M used a string of 27 consecutive points Saturday for a 33-17 victory at Jack Trice Stadium.

Safety Ter'Ran Benton, one of 22 native Texans on ISU's roster, said homecoming takes on greater significance for him when a team from the Lone Star State comes calling.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “Especially since I'm a Texas boy.”

Barnett big early

Quarterback Jared Barnett replaced an ineffective Steele Jantz at the 8:14 mark of the first quarter. The red-shirt freshman completed his first three passes and drove the Cyclones to a touchdown and 7-3 lead capped by James White's 19-yard run.

Barnett misfired on 15 of his next 19 passes, however - at least three of which were dropped. He finished 16 of 36 for 180 yards, while adding 66 yards on the ground.

Jantz threw an interception on the first play of the game and was 0-for-4 before being lifted.

Lenz cleans up

ISU wide receiver Josh Lenz set career highs in catches (eight) and receiving yards (117). He'd been limited to 72 yards receiving in the previous three games.

‘Duck' gets first 6

Duran “Duck” Hollis' 1-yard touchdown run with 6:50 left in the third quarter was the first of his career and pulled ISU within 30-14.

D rising early

The Aggies' offensive line had allowed three sacks all season, but Iowa State recorded two within the first seven minutes (Jake McDonough, Jake Lattimer) and held A&M to a field goal after another first-drive turnover by the offense.

The Cyclones' entered the game with eight sacks, which was tied for 97th in the FBS. They ended up with three quarterback takedowns - with Lattimer collecting two.

D's flags hurt

Ill-timed penalties aided A&M's first touchdown drive of the first half.

The Aggies faced third and 15 from their own 44-yard line and drew ISU offside. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill then threw a deep pass, which drew a pass interference call on Ter'Ran Benton.

It also drew the ire of Cyclone Coach Paul Rhoads, who continued to give officials an earful for the remainder of the half.

The Aggies went up 13-7 five plays later.