Iowa State Debriefing: OSU Escaped Ames, and of Course There Was Controversy

The Cowboys came back from Ames with a win and of course there was a little controversy involved.

The Short Story

OSU looked pretty flat to start out both halves. Iowa State was able to build a 14-0 lead before Rudolph and Co. finished their pregame stretching. But the Cowboys rattled off 21-straight points and made it a tight one the rest of the way.

OSU leaned on Justice Hill early and often while a hobbled and double-teamed James Washington saw just one target, a 25-yard completion. The Cowboys pulled out a comeback drive and sealed the win with a couple of late three-and-outs forced and a game-ending interception by sophomore cover man A.J. Green.

Who earned a Marshal Badge Brand?

Offense:  Marcell Ateman

When Ateman last played the Cyclones he hauled in a eight catches for 132 yards (both career highs) and a TD. It appears the senior wideout doesn’t share the same hangups with Jake Trice Stadium that some of us do.

The Cowboys found themselves down 8 late in the fourth. When OSU needed it most, Rudolph looked to his jump-ball specialist on third and 22 from the 30-yard line. Ateman caught all four of his targets for 97 yards and two scores.

Defense: A.J. Green and Rodarius Williams

Oklahoma State’s duo of young cover men bounced back well after a tough Bedlam game. And they did against an underrated and over-sized Iowa State receiving corps. headlined by Allen Lazard.

Green will get the pub from the game-sealing pick but his partner made a couple of TD’s saving pass breakups in the opposite corner of the end zone.

This one on Mathew Eaton.

And this one on Lazard.

Cornerbacks are going to take some lumps, especially in the Big 12, but the Cowboys have a couple of physical playmakers on the back end and should be set up nicely for next year and beyond.

The defense has taken a lot of flack the last two weeks (deservedly), but Glenn Spencer’s crew earned two huge stops late and which set up “That Play” as I assume Iowa State fans will term it.

Speaking of that…

It was over when

Zeb Noland, Iowa State’s third- or fourth-string QB (I’m still not sure) threw the first interception of his short career. I have watched this play over and over and I don’t know what there could really be to argue about once you see all the angles.

Watching live, it looked like Green caught the be ball and then Cyclone receiver Marchie Murdock gets a hand on it as well and they both fight forit to the ground. Green had the ball wrapped up in both arms and Murdock had one mitt on it.

[USATSI]

The replay didn’t show anything that would overturn the on-field ruling. It’s pretty simple, Green caught the ball first so the offensive player doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt. Case closed. We’re still not even, Ames.

Looking toward Week 12

The Cowboys end the season with a back-to-back home games against Kansas State and Kansas. But before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff against K-State, OSU will probably have a good idea whether or not it’s for a ticket to the Big 12 title game in Arlington. Texas Tech welcomes the reeling TCU Horned Frogs for an early kick. Wreck ’em.