Clones become bowl eligible with sixth win
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AMES — It was a day to remember for Iowa State football.
Cyclone running back Alexander Robinson became the first running back since Stevie Hicks in 2004 to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark as Iowa State became bowl eligible for the first time since 2005 with a 17-10 win over Colorado on Saturday.
It also marked the first time since 2007 that Iowa State fans rushed the field, a feeling that was great for players, fans and coaches.
“It’s a great way to go out — last game at Jack Trice,” said middle linebacker Jesse Smith. “It’s a tremendous way to go out. I’m happy for our fans and for this university.”
Robinson led the Cyclones with 30 carries for 138 yards and now has 1,002 yards for the season.
“That’s pretty dang good, isn’t it,” Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said.
Robinson is the 12th Iowa State running back to cross the 1,000-yard plateau for a season.
“A-Rob has been talking about it forever — he finally got it,” Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud said. “I’m so proud of the kid and so proud for him. He’s one of those kids that works, works – incredible work ethic.”
Robinson helped the Cyclones control the ball on senior day, even though Colorado outgained the Cyclones 390-310. The Buffaloes were hampered by 11 penalties for 110 yards.
Iowa State got on the board first after Arnaud found Marquis Hamilton on a 8-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0 in the first quarter.
Colorado had a golden opportunity to tie up the game in the first quarter, but the Iowa State defense held strong. Jimmy Smith intercepted an Arnaud pass to set up first and goal for Colorado.
The Buffaloes ran the ball four times and on fourth down Demetriu Sumler was stuffed at the 1-yard line as the Cyclones took over on downs. But the turnover bug hit Iowa State later in the half as a Darius Darks fumble set up a 22-yard field goal by Aric Goodman to make it a 7-3 game.
Iowa State added a field goal as time expired in the first half. The Cyclones went 41 yards in just 67 seconds as Grant Mahoney connected on a 25-yard kick to make it 10-3 at the break.
“There aren’t many games that finish up and you can’t talk about the turnover margin,” Rhoads said. “We’re down 2-0 (in turnovers) at halftime and it’s a good reason why the game is 10-3.”
But Iowa State’s defense started forcing Colorado into turnovers of its own in the second half. The Buffaloes turned it over on their first two possessions — an interception by Iowa State’s Nate Frere and a fumble recovery by Steven Ruempolhamer.
That fumble recovery led to a 20-yard touchdown pass from Arnaud to Robinson to extend the lead to 17-3.
And that was a large enough margin with Colorado’s offense failing to come up with points. Late in the third quarter, Colorado had first and goal at the 9-yard line. But after 30 yards of penalties on one play — a personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty — by Bryce Givens pushed the Buffaloes back to the 39-yard line.
The Buffaloes ended up missing a 42-yard field goal on that drive.
Colorado also had a fumble in the red zone during the fourth quarter that was recovered by James Smith. The Buffaloes were just 1-of-4 in the red zone.
“Red zone defense — outstanding,” Rhoads said. “It was a huge difference in the football game. On third down, our guys were outstanding. They converted 2-of-14 — great job by the defense.”
It’s the first time since 1965 that Iowa State has held three conference schools to 10 points or less in a ballgame. The defense has been a difference this season, and it’s shown on the scoreboard.
“We gave up way too many points last year,” Rhoads said. “I think on a season we surrendered somewhere in the neighborhood of 36 — Big 12 was higher than that. You can give up yards, and we’re 10, 11, 12 in total defense in this conference, but we give you everything we have every week.”
Colorado did make it interesting, late, getting a touchdown pass from Tyler Hansen to Markques Simas to make it 17-10 with 3:17 remaining. Colorado had one last chance late in the game, but the Buffaloes didn’t have enough time to move the ball down the field.
At 6-5, Iowa State has one last regular season game — Saturday at Missouri. Rhoads knows his team needs to keep pushing.
“I don’t think it’s a time to reflect at all right now,” Rhoads said. “We’re a football program that doesn’t have an open date and plays straight through. You can’t take your foot off the gas for a second.”
