Turnovers Cost Cyclones in 27-13 Loss to Oklahoma

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State clawed its way into striking distance with a fourth-quarter touchdown, but could not overcome a late interception and lost to Oklahoma 27-13 Saturday at MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium.

The Cyclones lost for the fifth straight time and fell to 3-5 overall and 0-5 in the Big 12 despite another solid effort from their defense. It's Iowa State's longest losing streak since a five-game skid in 2016, Matt Campbell's first season as coach, and was the first loss of the year by more than a single score.

Hunter Dekkers' 15-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Noel on a fourth-down play drew ISU to 20-13 with 10:29 left in the game and enlivened the crowd of 58,716 on a perfect, sunny day for football. The Cyclones then got the ball right back when MJ Anderson's sack forced Oklahoma (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) to punt from its own 8-yard line.

Justin Broiles' diving interception of a pass that Dekkers overthrew ended that ISU threat, but the defense – which held OU to 105 yards in the second half -- forced another three-and-out. After Dekkers scrambled 28 yards to the OU 30, Danny Stutsman picked him off on the next play and returned the ball 37 yards to the ISU 2.

Two plays later, Eric Gray took a direct snap and went four yards up the middle for the clinching touchdown with 4:36 remaining.

The Cyclones still weren't finished, though, driving to the Oklahoma 3, where Dekkers misfired on a pass to Xavier Hutchison in the end zone on fourth down with 58 seconds left.

Dekkers finished 37-of-57 for 313 yards – his second-straight game with more than 300 yards – and the TD pass to Noel. He was intercepted three times, but thanks to the defense, only the last one led to an OU score.

Hutchinson, the Big 12's leading receiver, caught 10 passes for 72 yards, running his season total to 77 receptions – only six short of the school record he set last year. He has caught at least eight passes in every game this season.

Noel matched his career high with seven catches, which totaled 54 yards. Dimitri Stanley had six catches for 90 yards, both season highs.

Jace Gilbert added field goals of 27 and 43 yards for the Cyclones, who struggled to run the run the ball. They totaled just 66 yards on the ground and Dekkers ended up as the leading rusher with 31 yards in four carries.

Iowa State still outgained the Sooners 374-332, holding OU 140 yards below its season average. It's the 16th time in the last 21 games the Cyclones have held an opponent under 350 yards.

Cornerback Anthony Johnson and linebacker O'Rien Vance led the defense with eight tackles each. T.J. Tampa added seven solo tackles, including one for a loss, and broke up four passes.

Iowa State remains at home for a visit by West Virginia next Saturday. It will be Homecoming, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CDT.

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