Cyclones Lose Heartbreaker to KSU, 24-23

KANSAS CITY, Mo.? Emmanuel Lamur blocked a Grant Mahoney PAT attempt with 0:32 seconds left to help Kansas State escape with a 24-23 victory over Iowa State in the Big 12 Conference opener Saturday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The loss drops the Cyclones to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play, while KSU improves to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in league play. It was the first missed PAT in Mahoney's career, ending his streak of consecutive extra-point kicks at 47.

The blocked kick spoiled ISU head coach Paul Rhoads' Big 12 debut and an impressive drive and acrobatic touchdown catch by Jake Williams in the closing seconds of the game.

“Kansas State made a hell of a football play to block that kick,” Rhoads said. “It was a good hold and looked like an excellent trajectory on the kick. We have to go back to work. We have to roll our sleeves up and get after it next week.”

Iowa State fell behind early when Kansas State mounted an impressive first drive after the Cyclones stalled in their first series. The Wildcats marched 89 yards in 13 plays to go ahead 7-0 with 5:11 left in the first quarter. KSU recorded 83 of its 89 yards in the drive on the ground, which was capped off by quarterback Grant Gregory's 2-yard touchdown run.

The Cyclones capitalized on a KSU turnover for their first points of the game. After running back Daniel Thomas fumbled deep in ISU territory, the Cyclones went 77 yards to set up a 32-yard Mahoney field goal to make it 7-3 KSU with just over nine minutes before the half.

ISU grabbed its first lead of the game when Austen Arnaud found Derrick Catlett from 22 yards out to go ahead 10-7 with 3:55 left before intermission. This time the Cyclone drive went for 73 yards on 11 plays. An Arnaud 13-yard hook-up with Williams on a 3rd-and-7 was a key play in the Cyclone scoring drive.

The score was tied at 10 at the break thanks to a Josh Cherry 39-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first period. The halftime score reflected the game stats, as both teams were virtually even in most of the offensive numbers. ISU had 11 first downs to KSU's nine, and the Cyclones tallied 192 offensive yards to the Wildcats' 184.

ISU scored the only points in the third quarter, as Arnaud directed a 12-play, 80-yard drive culminated by his 3-yard run to make it 17-10 ISU. Running back Jeremiah Schwartz, who was filling in for an injured Alexander Robinson, had 34 yards rushing in the drive.

The Cyclone lead was short-lived, however, as KSU took its turn converting an ISU turnover into points. Catlett caught a pass from Arnaud over the middle for a first down, but fumbled the ball fighting for extra yards to give KSU prime field position at ISU's 36-yard line. It looked like the Cyclones were going to hold the Wildcats to a field-goal attempt, but Gregory hit Lamark Brown for a touchdown pass on a 3rd-and-goal at the 16-yard line to tie the game at 17 with 13:45 left in the game.

After the Cyclones stalled offensively, the Wildcats retook the lead with 5:36 left in the game. Gregory, who eluded a sure sack by ISU's Christopher Lyle, heaved a 54-yard touchdown toss to Brandon Banks to make it 24-17 KSU.

ISU had one more chance after forcing the Wildcats to punt with 2:29 left in the game. Sitting at a 4th-and-5 situation, Arnaud hit Marquis Hamilton for 22 yards to keep the drive alive. On the ensuing play, Arnaud found Williams in the endzone, who dove for the catch after two Wildcat defenders tipped the ball to make it 24-23 with 0:32 seconds left and setting up KSU's big play on the PAT.

Arnaud finished the game with 84 yards rushing and 164 yards through the air to pace the Cyclones. He accounted for all three of ISU's scores, two passing and one rushing. Schwartz ran for 76 yards on 21 carries, filling in for Robinson, who tweaked his groin on a 37-yard run late in the first half. Thomas led the Wildcat offense with 96 yards rushing on 25 carries.

ISU travels to Kansas next weekend with an 11:30 a.m. kickoff.

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Players Mentioned

Austen Arnaud

Austen Arnaud

Austen Arnaud

Derrick Catlett

Derrick Catlett

Derrick Catlett

Marquis Hamilton

Marquis Hamilton

Christopher Lyle

Christopher Lyle

Grant Mahoney

Grant Mahoney

Alexander Robinson

Alexander Robinson

Jeremiah Schwartz

Jeremiah Schwartz

Jake Williams

Jake Williams

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