The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
10-1 , 7-1
Iowa State
6-5 , 5-3
Big second half vaults No. 7 Football to 26-16 victory over Iowa State
11.18.2023 | Football
The Longhorns remain atop the Big 12 Conference standings heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
AMES, Iowa – No. 7 Football defeated Iowa State, 26-16, on Saturday night at Jack Trice Stadium to pick up their 10th win of the season and remain atop the Big 12 standings. The Horns moved to 10-1 on the season and 7-1 in Big 12 play, while the Cyclones dipped to 6-5 overall with a 5-3 conference mark.
After a defensive showdown in the first half, quarterback Quinn Ewers and the Texas offense got things rolling in the third quarter, scoring their first touchdown on a 23-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jordan Whittington.
Early in the fourth quarter, tight end Gunnar Helm hauled in a 31-yard touchdown reception that gave Texas a 23-9 lead.
Iowa State answered with a 66-yard touchdown pass to Easton Dean to cut the Texas lead to 23-16, but it would be the Cyclone's last score of the game. The Horns hung on to win after adding a Bert Auburn field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
The Texas defense held Iowa State to a total of just nine rushing yards. It was the fifth consecutive game the Longhorns allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards. The nine rushing yards were the fewest allowed by the Texas defense this season. The Longhorns allowed six points or fewer in the first half for the sixth time this season.
Key Statistics:
- Bert Auburn hit a career-long 50-yard field goal to give Texas a 6-3 lead going into halftime. Auburn went 3-for-3 in the win and extended his made field goal streak to 14. His streak of 14 consecutive successful field goal attempts is the third-longest in UT history.
- He also brought his season total to 23 field goals made, tied for the second-most in a season in program history.
- Jordan Whittington hauled in a 23-yard touchdown reception to give Texas a 13-3 lead. It was his first touchdown catch of the season and the fifth of his career. Whittington also converted a two-point conversion later in the game.
- Gunnar Helm had a 31-yard touchdown reception to give Texas a 23-9 lead. It was his second career touchdown catch.
- Quinn Ewers threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns. It was his ninth-straight game with at least one touchdown pass.
- In the absence of Johnathon Brooks, freshman running back CJ Baxter got the start and carried the ball 20 times for 117 yards, averaging 5.8 yards a carry. It was his first career 100-yard game.
Up Next: Texas will host Texas Tech Friday, Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
TEX 0, ISU 3
ISU - Contreraz,Chase 45 yd field goal 11 plays, 53 yards, TOP 05:47
TEX 3, ISU 3
TEX - Auburn,Bert 39 yd field goal 7 plays, 11 yards, TOP 03:31
TEX 6, ISU 3
TEX - Auburn,Bert 50 yd field goal 10 plays, 58 yards, TOP 02:25
TEX 13, ISU 3
TEX - Whittington,Jordan 23 yd pass from Ewers,Quinn (Auburn,Bert kick) 9 plays, 91 yards, TOP 04:25
TEX 13, ISU 9
ISU - Sanders,Eli 14 yd pass from Becht,Rocco ( kick) 7 plays, 83 yards, TOP 03:34
TEX 15, ISU 9
TEX - Jordan,Austin 82 yd PAT return
TEX 23, ISU 9
TEX - Helm,Gunnar 31 yd pass from Ewers,Quinn (Whittington,Jordan pass) 3 plays, 57 yards, TOP 01:06
TEX 23, ISU 16
ISU - Dean,Easton 66 yd pass from Becht,Rocco (Contreraz,Chase kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:08
TEX 26, ISU 16
TEX - Auburn,Bert 42 yd field goal 11 plays, 56 yards, TOP 06:26
