Cyclones Lunchtime List: Top 5 Wins in the Paul Rhoads Era
By Ross
5. @ Texas Tech – 2011 – The Cyclones were riding a four-game losing streak when Paul Rhoads pulled off another huge road win. The Red Raiders were fresh off a win against the #1 ranked Sooners in the prior week. Iowa State had a huge day on the ground and the defense was fantastic against a prolific offense. The Clones blew Tech away, 41-7.
4. @Texas – 2010 – Iowa State was going up against a team they have never beaten in Texas. The Horns went to the BCS title game a year before and were ranked 19th when ISU came to town. Iowa State got off to a quick start, 14-3 at halftime. They continued their ways and ended up beating the Horns for the first time in school history, 28-21. The Cyclones forced four Longhorn turnovers and Alexander Robinson rushed for 120 yards.
3. vs Iowa – 2011 – Going into the game, Paul Rhoads was 0-2 against the instate rivals and was blown out both times. He got his revenge last September as the Cyclones topped the Hawks, 44-41 in OT. Steele Jantz had a magnificent day, going 25 for 37 for 279 yards and 4 TDs (0 INTs). He was making some unbelievable plays against Iowa and the biggest reason for the win. After James White scored on a 4-yard run in OT, the crowd rushed the field and the game will always be remembered by Cyclone fans.
2. @ Nebraska – 2009 – In his rookie year Paul Rhoads did what seemed impossible, beating Nebraska in Lincoln. Before this game, the last time ISU beat Nebraska on the road was in 1975. To make it even harder, Austen Arnaud went down with an injury in the game. Jerome Tiller went into the game and although he wasn’t impressive, he did what the Huskers failed to do, not turn the ball over. The Huskers turned the ball over 8 times in the game which proved to be the difference as the Clones won 9-7. After the game, Paul Rhoads gave his famous “I am so proud” speech. This game (and the speech) put Iowa State back on the map.
1. vs Minnesota (Insight Bowl) – 2009 – With it only being his first year, Paul Rhoads was able to take the team to a bowl game. The Cyclones were put in the Insight Bowl against the Big 10’s Minnesota Golden Gophers. Iowa State’s last bowl win was in 2004 in the Independence Bowl against Miami (Ohio). The Cyclones scored all 14 of their points in the second quarter. A late fumble by the Gophers that was recovered by Ter’Ran Benton sealed the deal for the Clones, 14-13. After several losing seasons, Iowa State fans finally were rewarded with a bowl win and the promise of a great future led by Paul Rhoads.