The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
2-2 , 1-0
Iowa State
2-2 , 0-1
Football opens Big 12 play with 17-7 road win at Iowa State
09.28.2017 | Football
The Longhorn defense stymied the Cyclones' offense, intercepting three passes and holding the ISU rushing attack to 10 yards.
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AMES, Iowa – DeShon Elliott intercepted two passes for the second straight game, as The University of Texas (2-2, 1-0) shut down the Iowa State (2-2, 0-1) offense to open Big 12 Conference play with a 17-7 victory at Jack Trice Stadium on Thursday night.
The Longhorn defense stymied a Cyclone offense that entered the game tied for 16th in the NCAA in scoring at 41.3 points per game. Iowa State had averaged 460 yards of total offense per game coming in, but UT held ISU to a total of 256 total yards, including only 10 yards on the ground.
Elliott, whose two interceptions gives him a NCAA-lead-tying four on the season, also registered a sack and six tackles to lead a UT defense that hounded Cyclone quarterback Jacob Park with four sacks and six hurries to force a total of three interceptions.
Offensively, quarterback Shane Buechele returned after missing two games due to injury, completing 19-of-26 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown, spreading the ball around to 11 different receivers and rushing for 42 yards.
Iowa State opened with the ball and the Texas defense picked up right where it left off against USC, forcing a quick three-and-out, punctuated by Elliott sacking Park for a five-yard loss on third-and-one.
The Longhorns first possession appeared to stall early, as Buechele was sacked on third-and-nine on the Horns third play from scrimmage, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Iowa State breathed new life into the drive. Following the penalty, Texas started with the ball at the UT 32 and quickly moved downfield. The Horns gained five yards on a rush by running back Chris Warren III, then two plays later picked up 11 yards on a Buechele pass to wide receiver Amanti Foreman. After gaining another five yards on the ground, Buechele found a wide open wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey for a catch-and-run up the middle of the field for a 28-yard gain to the Cyclone 19. Short runs by running back Kyle Porter and Warren set the Longhorns up at the 11-yard line, where Warren powered his way for a touchdown to give UT a 7-0 advantage with 7:07 remaining in the first quarter.
Iowa State forced a fumble on the next UT drive, picking up the ball at the Texas 46, and advanced to the UT 33, but the Texas defense held strong and forced the Cyclones to punt to end the Cyclones best threat of the first quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, Elliott intercepted his third pass of the season to give Texas the ball at the UT 40.
Texas capitalized on the turnover, driving 60 yards on just five plays and scoring on a 22-yard pass from Buechele to running back Toneil Carter to build the UT lead to 14-0. Buechele gained 21 of the 60 yards on the ground and the Horns were aided by another 15-yard personal foul penalty against the Cyclones.
The Cyclones put together their longest drive of the half on the ensuing possession, pushing the ball 39 yards on 11 plays to the UT 36, but failed to get any further.
Iowa State had one more opportunity in the half, regaining the ball at their own 39-yard line with 33 seconds left. But after moving the ball to midfield, defensive back Kris Boyd intercepted Park at the UT 34 and returned it to the ISU 40 to hold the UT lead at 14-0 heading into the break.
Both teams struggled to put together long drives in the third quarter, but Iowa State found itself in a pair situations with possessions starting in Texas territory. The first came with 9:57 remaining in the quarter, when an interception gave Iowa State the ball at the UT 38-yard line, but the Texas defense pushed the Cyclones back five yards to force a punt.
The Cyclones finally took advantage of short field position on their next drive after a short punt put Iowa State at the Texas 28. ISU scored four plays later on an 11-yard touchdown pass to cut the Texas lead to 14-7.
Elliott came up with his second interception of the game on the next Iowa State possession, returning it 22-yards to the ISU 38 with 22 seconds remaining in the frame. After the Texas drive rolled over into the fourth quarter, kicker Joshua Rowland nailed a 49-yard field goal for the final score of the contest, extending the UT lead to 17-7 with 13:25 left to play.
Defensively, the Cyclones, who had entered the game converting on 4-of-4 fourth-down attempts on the season, ended both of their possessions on failed fourth down conversions, finishing 0-for-2 on the day. UT has yet to allow a fourth down conversion on seven attempts this season.
The Longhorns dominated time of possession, 40:31 to 19:29, and converted on 11-of-23 third down attempts.
The three interceptions by the UT defense brings the total to seven on the season, tied for fifth-most in the NCAA.
Texas returns home on Saturday, Oct. 7 for a Big 12 matchup with Kansas State at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on FS1.
Team Stats
UT 7, ISU 0
UT - Warren III, C. 11 yd run (Rowland, Joshua kick), 12 plays, 81 yards, TOP 6:27
UT 14, ISU 0
UT - Carter, Toneil 22 yd pass from Buechele, Shane (Rowland, Joshua kick) 5 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:06
UT 14, ISU 7
ISU - Eaton, Matthew 11 yd pass from Park, Jacob (Owens, Garrett kick) 4 plays, 28 yards, TOP 0:43
UT 17, ISU 7
UT - Rowland, Joshua 49 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 2:01
