Cyclones Fall To Nebraska, 35-7

AMES, Iowa? Nebraska jumped out to an early lead and held off Iowa State 35-7 Saturday afternoon in Jack Trice Stadium. ISU, which falls to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the Big 12, struggled on offense in the first half, but fought hard to overcome a 21-0 halftime deficit by churning out 173 yards of total offense in the second half. The Huskers improve to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12.

"We talk about giving ourselves some hope," ISU head coach Gene Chizik said. "Everybody felt our fans were into it in the fourth quarter and cheering us on, and we had opportunities to make it 21-14. It really gives our guys a shot in the arm. We were headed in that direction, but we couldn't capitalize. Nebraska is a good football team, but we've got to swing more than seven points."

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The Huskers took control of the game in the first half, holding a 349-45 advantage in total offense at the break. The Cyclone defense held NU in its opening drive, sacking Joe Ganz, who fumbled the ball and was recovered by ISU on the NU 49-yard line. The Cyclones could not sustain the momentum, however, going 3-and-out on their first series.

The NU offense then shifted into high gear, mounting a nine-play, 92-yard drive to go up 7-0 with 5:27 remaining in the first quarter. Ganz hit Nate Swift on a 19-yard touchdown toss to start the Husker scoring. NU's Marlon Lucky recorded two second-quarter touchdown runs to increase NU's lead to 21-0 at the break.

It took just two plays into the second half for the Cyclones to dent the scoreboard, as Alexander Robinson broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 21-7 with 14:23 left in the third quarter. It was the second-longest scoring play of the season for the Cyclones. The ISU defense stiffened up after intermission, holding the Huskers to just two first downs in the third quarter to keep the game in reach.

ISU had a chance to cut the deficit early in the fourth quarter, but Grant Mahoney missed on a 40-yard field goal attempt with 12:04 left in the game. The Cyclone defense held the Huskers yet again on their next drive, but Devin McDowell fumbled the punt return to give the ball back to NU. This time the Huskers converted on the Cyclone miscue, scoring on a 1-yard dive from Ganz with 6:35 remaining to put the game out of reach at 28-7.

Ganz finished the game with 328 yards passing on 27-of-37 attempts to pace the Huskers, while Robinson ran for 87 yards on 11 carries to lead the Cyclone offense. R.J. Sumrall, who caught six passes for 44 yards, now has 132 career receptions, tying him at No. 4 on ISU's career receptions list.

ISU remains at home next week, playing host to Texas A&M in the Cyclones' Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Grant Mahoney

Devin McDowell

Devin McDowell

Alexander Robinson

Alexander Robinson

R.J. Sumrall

R.J. Sumrall

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