Defense Steals the Show in Cowboys’ 34-27 Win over Iowa State

The three fourth-quarter interceptions thrown by Brock Purdy will get most of the pub, but Oklahoma State’s defense made life hard on the Big 12’s leading passer for all four quarters of the Cowboys’ 34-27 win.

Led by Purdy, the Cyclones offense had been rolling, averaging just over 40 points per game in three-straight victories over TCU, West Virginia and Texas Tech. But Jim Knowles & Co. made a concerted effort to stifle the sophomore gunslinger, and it paid off. OSU brought pressure from the onset and from every direction.

The first play from scrimmage was a five-yard sack by Israel Antwine which resulted in a opening-drive three-and-out. The Cowboys didn’t record another sack until late in the fourth quarter, but the elusive Purdy was constantly on the run and operating with defenders inside his personal space.

And the Cowboys secondary was causing him issues, as well. Safety Kolby Harvell-Peel tied a school record with five pass breakups in the first half alone (he would end with a Cowboy-best six), including back-to-back plays on the ball to stall the ‘Clones in the red zone and hold them to a field goal attempt.

“There were times we played tight coverage and he broke them up, and there were times we played tight coverage and they made tough catches,” said Mike Gundy. “Our defensive plan was excellent.”

OSU’s defense bent at times — Charlie Kolar looked like Gronk and Breece Hall looked like Chuba — but did not break often, and it came up huge when needed, finishing each half strong.

Iowa State had made it into the Cowboys’ red zone in two of its final three possessions of the first half (and was 1 yard away on the other) but the Cowboys held them to three field goal attempts. They gained just 6 points on those after a 39-yard miss.

Then in the fourth quarter, after the Cyclones had come back to tie it at 27 with a chance to take their first lead, Malcolm Rodriguez came up with this huge pick-six.

The last four possessions for Iowa State would go: INT, punt, INT, INT with Amen Ogbongbemiga and Tre Sterling joining in on the pick Purdy party.

“Jim [Knowles] had a good scheme for them when they throw the ball,” Gundy said. “It worked for us late, especially on the inside crossing routes. Our players bought into the scheme.”

That all contributed to Purdy’s most inefficient game of the year and a season-high three interceptions, all in that final quarter. Purdy had thrown just four in his first seven games while OSU’s defense came in T-3rd in the league forcing just three.

Purdy also turned in season lows in passer rating (110.3), yards per attempt (6.2) and his second-worst completion rate of 62.9 percent. He came in averaging 70 percent on the season.

Turnovers can be fluky, but it was quite obvious that these were the result of making a really good college quarterback have a really bad day. If the Cowboys defense can continue this trend, it might just help the Pokes cause another upset or two down the stretch.