AUSTIN, Texas — It was a rugged, throwback type of game in Ames, Iowa, but the Texas Longhorns prevailed to inch closer to securing a spot in the Big 12 Championship game, defeating Iowa State, 26-16 Saturday night.
Early on, it appeared as though the Longhorns and Cyclones were aiming to revisit the 1960s-era game, as defense and special teams stole the show and kept both offenses out of the end zone until the third quarter.
The Longhorns offense moved the ball all night but struggled early on to punctuate drives with touchdowns, ending the first half with just two Bert Auburn field goals and holding an underwhelming 6-3 halftime lead.
But the men in burnt orange began to capitalize on their opportunities in the second half.
After forcing an Iowa State punt to begin the third quarter, quarterback Quinn Ewers and running back C.J. Baxter began to take control, leading the Longhorns on a 91-yard drive capped off by a 23-yard Ewers touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Jordan Whittington to bring the Longhorns lead up to 10 points, 13-3.
The Cyclones quickly responded on the following drive after quarterback Rocco Becht found running back Eli Sanders on a 14-yard touchdown reception, but a pivotal moment occurred on the extra point attempt when Longhorn defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat blocked the kick, which was subsequently returned by senior defensive back Jerrin Thompson for a two-point conversion, making the score 15-9.
Thompson's big night didn't stop there, as he intercepted Becht just two drives later to give the Longhorns ideal field position in the late stages of the third. The pivotal interception would lead to a 31-yard Ewers touchdown strike to Gunnar Helm, to make the score 23-9 with Ewers subsequently finding Whittington for a two-point conversion.
However, Iowa State would quickly respond once again, as Becht would find tight end Easton Dean for a 66-yard catch and run to bring the Cyclones back within a touchdown early on in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 23-16.
A Bert Auburn field goal in response midway through the fourth quarter pushed the Longhorns lead back up to two scores at 26-16, a lead that the Cyclones would ultimately not be able to overcome.
Ewers was impressive and efficient Saturday night, completing 23 of 33 pass attempts for 281 yards and a pair of touchdowns with no turnovers.
Even with the absence of Jonathon Brooks, the Texas running game continued to be the offense's main engine. In his first game as the Longhorns' leading man in the backfield, C.J. Baxter was excellent, as the freshman back racked up 117 yards on 20 carries.
In the receiving department, Xavier Worthy led the way with 77 yards on four receptions. Jordan Whittington followed with 56 yards on three catches, including the game's first touchdown.
Saturday night's win means the Longhorns are on the verge of securing a spot in the Big 12 Championship on Dec. 2, in Arlington. If they defeat Texas Tech, they will either Oklahoma State, Oklahoma or Kansas State, with the latter two being potential rematches of close games from earlier this season.
The Longhorns will conclude the regular season on Black Friday at home against Texas Tech. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. on KVUE.