For a full quarter, the Iowa State football team entertained the idea of going blow-for-blow with the nation’s third-ranked team. For a half, the Cyclones looked as though they would keep things within striking distance of a Big 12 frontrunner.
Then it all came crashing down around them.
TCU stifled an early upset bid by shutting down the Cyclones’ offense to make its way to a 45-21 win Saturday night at Jack Trice Stadium.
The Cyclones (2-4, 1-2) dropped their second consecutive game despite a 21-point, 262-yard first-quarter outburst that saw them take two separate leads against the Horned Frogs (7-0, 4-0).