Iowa vs. Iowa State football: Live score updates, highlights analysis (Sept. 7, 2024)

IOWA CITY — Cornerback Darien Porter gave Iowa State hope. Quarterback Rocco Becht, in turn, gave the offense life. And walk-on kicker Kyle Konrardy furnished the fireworks and heroics, drilling a 54-yard field goal with five seconds left that completed the Cyclones’ stunning 20-19 comeback win over No. 21 Iowa Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.

“Wow,” went the mutters in the press box. And — whoa — the Hawkeyes still clung to a last-gasp hope with one second left. But Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara’s Hail Mary attempt from the ISU 49 was intercepted by — who else? — Porter, who slid to a stop and raised his arms in exultation.

Kaleb Johnson rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns for Iowa, which led 19-7 with 4:47 left in the third quarter. McNamara completed 13 of 29 passes for 99 yards, zero touchdowns and the two interceptions by Porter.

Becht went 23-of-35 through the air for 272 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, who finished with a game-high 13 receiving yards.

ISU (2-0) trailed 13-0 at halftime and Iowa (1-1) appeared poised to effectively seal the game before Porter stepped in for his first interception at the Cyclones’ 25-yard line less than two minutes into the second half.

Becht drove the Cyclones to the Hawkeyes’ 3-yard line, then targeted Higgins, whose acrobatic touchdown grab made the score 13-7, with 8:48 left in the third quarter. Iowa immediately responded, however, as Johnson broke free for a 54-yard run and eventually surged into the end zone to give his team that 19-7 lead. The subsequent two-point conversion attempt failed and ISU scored on its first play of the next possession — a 75-yard strike from Becht to Noel that made the score 19-14 with 4:36 left in the third quarter.

The Cyclones pulled within two, at 19-17, on a 46-yard field goal by Konrardy with 11:32 left, and the defense forced an Iowa punt with 34 seconds left that set up his jaw-dropping game-winner.

— Rob Gray