Likes, dislikes from Iowa State's dramatic Week 5 win vs. WVU
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AMES – Ball don't lie.
Iowa State football fans erupted in celebration and were ready to enjoy a dramatic victory when David Coffey leapt up for what appeared to be a clutch interception in the closing moments of the game. However, a video review revealed Coffey didn't hold on for a clean interception and the play was overturned.
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However, a couple plays later, West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. completed a pass to D.J. Epps, who was breaking free for a big gain until Beni Ngoyi stripped the ball loose and recovered it. The Cyclones made the necessary gains to run out the clock and hang on for a 45-42 win.
Iowa State improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Big 12 play with the victory. Here are some likes and dislikes from the Cyclones' dramatic win:
Likes
- First Big 12 win of Jimmy Rogers era: This one had it all. Momentum swings, lead changes, highlight-reel plays, and it'll be a building block for the Cyclones moving into the rest of conference play and a few tough matchups on the road. Until then, it'll be one week at a time, and Iowa State got its well-earned victory in a game that tested every part of its mental and physical fortitude.
- Iowa State outgained West Virginia: Outside of a Jaylen Raynor interception, it was a great day for the Cyclone offense, which racked up 45 points and 577 total yards. The Cyclones' previous season-high was 507 yards against Bowling Green. Its previous best against a power-conference opponent was 316 yards against Utah. They outgained the visiting Mountaineers, 577-518.
- Aiden Flora, a game-changer and... a passer?: Offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl tapped into Flora's high school quarterback roots and utilized him on a couple of trick play passes. Both went for touchdowns and made for exciting wrinkles that the Mountaineer defense was not ready for. Flora also ran wild on the ground and finished with 212 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. He had a 9.6-yard-per-carry average, found openings and used his elusiveness and speed to his advantage.
- Good day for Cyclone offense: Iowa State's offense stepped up in a big way and it felt like a balanced effort. Raynor had that one interception, but was decent overall. He completed 19-of-27 passes for a season-high 264 yards and a touchdown. The ground game, led by Flora, was huge too, but Raynor hit passes and found open receivers when they needed to move the ball. Iowa State recorded 312 passing yards and 265 rushing yards as a team.
- Iowa State running back Ryver Peppers makes his return: Peppers made his return to game action after a season-ending lower-leg injury last season that came in his lone snap of the year in a loss at Colorado. Peppers didn't just show up, but appeared to be another piece that will bolster running back depth. He had eight carries, the second-most touches for a running back behind Flora, for 29 yards. His best run was a 15-yard carry.
- Iowa State's offensive poise after penalties: The Cyclones have had some well-documented inconsistencies this season, but one thing that needs a kudos in this game is their ability to overcome penalties on two touchdown-scoring drives. On Iowa State's first touchdown drive, which tied the game, the Cyclones had an offensive pass interference penalty in the red zone that suddenly gave them second-and-20. But on the very next play, Raynor connected with Omari Hayes for a score. Later in the first half, under time pressure, Iowa State had a Raynor rushing touchdown called back for a hold, but the offense finished the drive off a touchdown with nine seconds left in the half to take the lead.
Dislikes
- Defensive letdown: Defense is supposed to be this team's calling card, but at this point of the season, who would've thought Iowa State would need every single one of its 45 points in a high-scoring affair to win? The Cyclones got the stop they needed at the end to hang on, with a clutch fumble recovery by the defense, but it'll be an honest film viewing this week as the defense dissects how it gave up 518 yards. Between missed tackles, quick-scoring drives and a few blown coverages, it wasn't a great day for the defense.
- Missed tackles: Tackling issues persisted. It'll be interesting to see the official final tally of missed tackles, but certainly enough noticeable misses that allowed the Mountaineers to get momentum-building plays and some that led to touchdown-scoring drives.
- West Virginia's Michael Hawkins Jr. got loose on the ground: The speedy dual-threat quarterback was shaky with his arm, but he drove the Mountaineers forward with his legs. He was slippery, shifty and the key to most of West Virginia's offensive success was to put the ball in Hawkins' hands and make plays. Hawkins finished with 149 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. As a passer, he went 11-for-23 with 227 yards and two touchdowns.
- Iowa State couldn't shut the door when it had the chance: The Cyclones had a two-touchdown lead early in the third quarter, with a chance to build on their lead to put the game out of reach after forcing a strip-sack and recovering the ball in West Virginia territory. Instead, the Cyclones turned it over on the following possession and West Virginia rumbled back from a 28-14 deficit to tie things up at 28 going into the fourth quarter. It was a wild back-and-forth game from there, which once seemed out of the question when the Cyclones had control midway through the third quarter.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Likes, dislikes from Iowa State's dramatic Week 5 win vs. WVU