Robinson Carries Cyclones Past Army, 31-10

AMES, Iowa - Alexander Robinson recorded 178 yards of total offense, including 127 on the ground, and scored three touchdowns in a 31-10 Iowa State victory over Army Saturday night at Jack Trice Stadium. The win improves the Cyclones to 3-1, as ISU head coach Paul Rhoads became the first coach since George Veenker in 1931 to start 3-1 in their rookie season as the Cyclone mentor.

"That was an exciting physical college football game played in front of an amazing crowd of over 50,000 fans," Rhoads said. "You could feel the energy from our crowd and the environment tonight. Our team grew up tonight. They understand the importance of hard work and preparation, and we must keep that attitude going."

Robinson had another big day for the Cyclones, improving his season rushing total to 453. He became the first Cyclone to record three-straight 100-yard games since Ennis Haywood rushed for over 100 yards in the first four games of the 2000 season.

"I don't know if there's a secret to it," Rhoads said about Robinson's third-straight 100-yard game. "I think he's got a chance in this system to be a very good back. I think that the offense is still in its infantile stages, and I think everyone is starting to get it more game by game."

The Cyclone defense also came up big, holding Army's vaunted rushing attack to just 186 yards. Army entered the game averaging 258 yards on the ground, the seventh-best total in the nation.

The game was tied at 3-3 at the end of the first quarter, as both teams traded field goals. ISU tied the game with a 50-yard field goal from Grant Mahoney, his second 50-yard boot of the season. He became the first Cyclone kicker to drill a pair of kicks from 50 yards or longer in a season since Ty Stewart did it in 1993.

The Cyclones then capitalized on an outstanding punt return from Josh Lenz to take their first lead. Lenz returned a punt 44 yards to the Army 18-yard line to set up a Robinson 2-yard touchdown catch from Austen Arnaud a few plays later to give the home team a 10-3 lead with 7:36 left in the second quarter.

After the Cyclone defense stopped Army on its next possession, Robinson struck again, rambling 68 yards for a touchdown to move ISU ahead 17-3 with 5:07 left before the break. It was the longest run in Robinson's career and the longest rush for a Cyclone since Jason Harris scored on a 68-yard run last season.

Army kept the game tight with a late touchdown before the half. Chip Bowden hit Ali Villanueva on a 5-yard fade with 0:13 seconds left before intermission to make it 17-10 Iowa State at the half.

Robinson ended the first half with 93 yards rushing.

The Cyclones came out on fire after the break, going 73 yards on seven plays to improve their lead to 24-10 with 12:29 left in the third quarter. An Arnaud 35-yard pass to Marquis Hamilton was the key play of the drive, as Arnaud bulled his way in from 14 yards for a touchdown to finish it off.

Both teams missed opportunities to score for much of the second half, as the score remained the same until late in the fourth quarter. That's when Arnaud hit Robinson for his third touchdown of the game on a 32-yard toss with 5:44 left in the game to increase the Cyclone lead to 31-10.

Arnaud finished the game with 62 yards rushing on 18 carries and threw for 175 yards on 11-of-20 passing. Hamilton led the Cyclone receiving corps with 76 yards on four catches. Jesse Smith had a team-high 13 tackles to pace the Cyclone defense.

ISU will battle Kansas State next weekend in Kansas City in a 2 p.m. kickoff in Arrowhead Stadium.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Austen Arnaud

Austen Arnaud

Marquis Hamilton

Marquis Hamilton

Jason Harris

Josh Lenz

Josh Lenz

Grant Mahoney

Grant Mahoney

Grant Mahoney

Alexander Robinson

Alexander Robinson

Jesse Smith

Jesse Smith

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics