College Sports

No. 17 Cyclones overcome turnovers, rally past Baylor 38-31

Posted November 08, 2020 6:00 am

By ANDREW LOGUE

Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy gets off a pass despite pressure from Baylor linebacker William Bradley-King during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

AMES, Iowa (AP) - Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes in the second half after throwing three interceptions in the first, and No. 17 Iowa State came from behind to beat Baylor 38-31 Saturday night.

The Cyclones (5-2) are 5-1 in conference play for the first time in the program's 128-year history and are first in the Big 12 by a half-game.

'œWhen you're a quarterback it's tough,'ť Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said of Purdy's early struggles. 'œYou better be a tough hombre.'ť

Breece Hall went over 100 yards rushing for the seventh straight game, finishing with 133 and two touchdowns. He also caught a TD pass.

The Cyclones won for the first time since 2012 when committing four turnovers. Baylor scored its first 24 points off Iowa State turnovers, the last coming when Greg Eisworth muffed a punt.

Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose sealed the victory when he intercepted Charlie Brewer's pass in the end zone with 57 seconds left.

'œI thought it was a really special football game for our football team.'ť Campbell said. 'œReally proud of our team.'ť

Purdy was intercepted on Iowa State's first two possessions, and Baylor (1-4, 1-4) turned them into points. Jalen Pitre's 30-yard interception return put the Bears ahead 21-7.

'œFor our guys to start fast was a real positive,'ť Baylor coach Dave Aranda said. 'œTo see them stay in the fight, it shows the character of our team.'ť

The Cyclones wiped out a 24-10 deficit on Purdy's 22-yard pass to Charlie Kolar and on Hall's 17-yard run. Purdy's TD passes of 6 yards to Chase Allen and 6 yards to Hall put Iowa State up 38-24.

Trestan Ebner's 58-yard catch-and-run pulled Baylor within a touchdown before Rose made his third interception of the season in the final minute.

THE TAKEAWAY

Baylor: The Bears were left without their top two running backs when Craig Williams suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury in the first half. John Lovett was already out with an injury. The Bears also lost linebacker Terrel Bernard to a shoulder injury in the second half but he was able to return.

Iowa State: Purdy's second interception, with Iowa State at the Baylor 14-yard line, was his first red zone turnover in 29 career games. The junior had previously accounted for 43 red zone touchdowns.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

A victory could vault No. 17 Iowa State into the top 15. Just five previous Cyclone teams have climbed that high after seven games, with the most recent coming in 2017, coach Matt Campbell's second season.

UP NEXT

Baylor visits Texas Tech on Nov. 14.

Iowa State hosts Kansas State on Nov. 21.

Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose, bottom right, tackles Baylor running back Qualan Jones during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

Baylor safety Jalen Pitre, left, celebrate his interception return for a touchdown with safety Christian Morgan, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

Baylor running back Trestan Ebner, left, carries the ball as Iowa State defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, center, dives for the tackle while defensive lineman Latrell Bankston, right, trails during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

Baylor wide receiver R.J. Sneed, left, celebrates his touchdown against Iowa State with offensive lineman Jake Burton during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

Baylor cornerback Kalon Barnes, left, intercepts a pass intended for Iowa State wide receiver Joe Scates during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

Baylor cornerback Kalon Barnes, left, intercepts a pass intended for Iowa State wide receiver Joe Scates during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

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