Peterson: Iowa State checks all the important boxes after beating TCU – Des Moines Register

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AMES, Ia. Touchdowns on possessions inside TCUs yard line.

Check.

Solid third-down defense.

Check.

Brock Purdy, the successful play-manager.

Check.

Iowa States 49-24 victory against TCU Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium checked all the Cyclones boxes or at least most of them and coach Matt Campbell can be happy that it happened sooner rather than later.

Another loss would have put Iowa State behind the bowl-eligibility 8-ball. Saturday, however, the Cyclones showed what happens when you play consistent good football. Histeam was so good, most of the time, that it scored the most points a Cyclones team has scored in this 11-game series. The previous high was in Iowa States 37-23 victory in 2012.

Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (So.) (15) motions as he runs in for a touchdown to make the score 27-3 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Ames.(Photo: Brian Powers/The Register)

They kicked out butts, TCU veteran coach Gary Patterson said. Every phase, pretty simple. Not much more you can say.

Quarterback Brock Purdy managed an offense that hung 21 first-halfpoints against the Big 12s No. 2 defense. Thats more points than three Horned Frogs opponents scored in full games, and it happened because the Purdy-led offense had 198 yards, including 133 on the sophomores first 13 completions.

He did it with mid-range passes in front of the secondary, and behind the linebackers. Eight of his first 13 completions went to flanker Deshaunte Jones, a combination that thrives on quick and short throws becoming 20-yard or so gains.

They had a quarterback run game that they had not done up to this point out of tight end sets, Patterson said. We didnt do a good job adjusting.

You didnt have to look too far to see the improvement of Iowa States defense. Jon Heacocks guys set the tone early, holding on seven of eight third-downs in the first half. Thats been a point of emphasis throughout the season, and Saturday, it came to fruition.

The Cyclones defense also had a sack and fumble recovery and touchdown on the same second-quarter play, when ORien Vance knocked the ball loose while sacking Max Duggan. Enyi Uwazurike scooped the ball up at the 1-yard line and stepped into the end zone for a touchdown.

The play resulted in Iowa States second fumble recovery this season, and the Cyclones second defensive touchdown this season.

You have to be ready to raise your level of excellence every week, Campbell said. We have really good players. We have guys that have the ability to do what they did today. Zach (Petersen) took a huge step.

Iowa State defensive end JaQuan Bailey didnt play. Now the question is whether hell play another Cyclones game.

Campbell said the senior underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a lower leg injury suffered against Baylor. The coach also brought up the fact that Bailey redshirting also is a possibility for the senior, considering hes played in just four games and didnt redshirt as a true freshman.

Well see how that plays out, Campbell said.

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Petersen, a sophomore, has played well as Baileys backup. He started Saturday, and hell start the rest of the season, too, assuming Bailey doesnt return.

Not returning this season seems highly likely.

Maybe the horrible weather pattern will be gone by Iowa States next home game, which is Oct. 26 against Oklahoma State. Maybe.

Before Saturdays 2-hour delay before TCU game, there was rain when Louisiana-Monroe played at Jack Trice and a couple lengthy lightning delays against Iowa. Weather for the Northern Iowa game was all right, and going back to last season, Drake at Iowa State was played on a sloppy field.

If you want to carry this one step further, Iowa States game at Baylor was played in intense Waco heat.

Did the cold, rainy conditions slow down warm-weather TCU? I doubt it, considering the sun actually came out a few times. Iowa State was the reason for the outcome, not chillier weather than the Horned Frogs were accustomed to.

Iowa State tight end Charlie Kolar (R-So.) (88) reacts after catching a touchdown pass during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Ames. After a two hour rain delay, Iowa State would take a 21-03 lead over TCU into halftime.(Photo: Brian Powers/The Register)

Back to scoring on drives inside the TCU 50-yard line Iowa States offense scored touchdowns a whopping six times out of 10 times in whats considered the plus side of the field.

When we play really good football, that happens, Campbell said. (Saturday), our offense had the consistent ability to move and ball and consistently finish.

Consistency is something thatd been lacking in the losses against Iowa and Baylor. Consistency must continue for the Cyclones to come close to realizing their goals. Saturday was a great confidence-building start, however.

Randy Peterson is the Iowa State columnist for the Register. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete. No one covers the Cyclones like the Register. Subscribe today at Des Moines Register.com/Deal to make sure you never miss a moment.