Iowa State’s bid for its first 8-0 start in school history slipped away when Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks burst into the end zone with 20 seconds left in a 23-22 upset at rain-drenched Jack Trice Stadium.
Texas Tech (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) took over at its 29-yard line with 2:06 remaining and drove 71 yards in 12 plays. The Red Raiders converted a fourth-and-7 with an 8-yard pass from quarterback Behren Morton to Josh Kelly that moved the ball past midfield. Morton then completed three straight passes on the drive to take the Red Raiders to the Iowa State 1-yard line.
Two plays after a false start penalty bounced Texas Tech to the 6-yard line, Brooks broke through for the game-winning touchdown.
Tahj Brooks for the lead in Ames‼️ ⌚️
📺 ESPN | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/P8CH4cgCvw
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 2, 2024
Brooks finished with 122 yards on 25 carries. Kelly had eight catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
The No. 11 Cyclones (7-1) equaled their best start since 1938 and had plenty of opportunities to win. After pulling within 17-16, Iowa State missed a 51-yard field goal.
Then with 2:11 left, quarterback Rocco Becht threw a 44-yard strike to Carson Brown, who raced through the Texas Tech defense to put the Cyclones ahead 23-22. The two-point conversion fell incomplete, which proved pivotal.
What the loss means for Iowa State
Saturday was a gut punch in an otherwise magical season for the Cyclones, who made it to 7-0 for the first time since 1938. But they came up just short of the best start in program history Saturday, and could have some work to do to reach the Big 12 title game — most notably the season finale against Kansas State. It also puts a dent in Iowa State’s at-large Playoff odds.
A one-loss Cyclones team that lost in the Big 12 championship — maybe to a still-undefeated BYU? — would have had a strong claim to earning a first-round Playoff berth. Now, an Iowa State team that doesn’t win the conference title would have at least two losses, and the best win might be the Week 2 non-conference win over then-ranked Iowa. — Justin Williams, college football senior writer
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Reese Strickland / Imagn Images)
