Cyclones Surprise Wildcats, 31-20

AMES, Iowa - Jordy Nelson recorded his second 200-yard receiving effort and re-established the KSU single-game receiving yards record, but it was not enough as Iowa State stunned Kansas State 31-20 on Saturday.

Nelson, a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, hauled in game-highs of 14 receptions for a school-record 214 yards and a touchdown. The former walk-on from Riley, Kan., moved into third-place in school history for career receiving yards with 2,418 and is just 39 yards from tying Michael Smith (1988-91) for second. His second quarter 13-yard touchdown reception was the 17th in his career and moved him into fourth in school history.

The game got off to an inauspicious start for K-State, as kick returner James Johnson fumbled the opening kickoff and was recovered by Iowa State's James Smith at the Wildcat 32. The Cyclones (2-8, 1-5 Big 12) quickly capitalized, as Brett Meyer found Derrick Catlett from one-yard out for the early 7-0 advantage.

Iowa State struck again on its third possession of the quarter, driving 90 yards in eight plays, punctuated by an Alexander Robinson three-yard touchdown run. Robinson finished the day with 25 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

The Wildcats (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) trimmed the lead early in the second quarter with a 28-yard field goal from Brooks Rossman. Iowa State answered on the ensuing drive with Robinson's second touchdown of the day, a two-yard effort on an option play with Meyer.

Nelson registered K-State's first touchdown of the afternoon with a 13-yard connection with Freeman with 2:42 to play in the half. The Cyclones held a 21-10 halftime edge and boosted the lead to 18 on the first play of K-State's third possession in the third stanza. Freeman's throw to tight end Jeron Mastrud was deflected and landed in the waiting arms of the Cyclone defensive back Chris Singleton. Singleton returned the deflection 21 yards to push the score to 28-10. Singleton finished the day with two interceptions.

Kansas State chipped away at the deficit with a Rossman 35-yard field goal on the following drive with 5:08 to play in the third. Rossman has now made 19 field goals this season and ranks second for field goals in a single-season.

The Wildcats forced the Cyclones into a three-and-out on their next possession and Deon Murphy returned the Iowa State punt 36 yards to the Cyclone 18. K-State turned the tremendous field position into points, as James Johnson plunged in from five yards out and bringing the Wildcats to 28-20 with 1:34 to play in the third quarter. Johnson finished the day with 14 carries for 95 yards and one score.

K-State pieced together an eight-play, 37 yard drive early in the fourth quarter, but were prevented from scoring as Rossman missed wide right on a 45-yard attempt. Iowa State answered with an eight play, 64-yard drive that resulted in a 25-yard field goal by Bret Culbertson to give Iowa State its final points of the day.

Freeman finished the afternoon 28-of-44 for 347 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The sophomore signal caller pushed his career passing yardage total to 4,301 yards, becoming just the eighth quarterback in K-State history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in their career.

Next Event

Team Stats

Josh Freeman

Jordy Nelson

Players Mentioned

James Johnson

Jeron Mastrud

Deon Murphy

Jordy Nelson

Brooks Rossman

Players Mentioned

James Johnson

Jeron Mastrud

Deon Murphy

Jordy Nelson

Brooks Rossman

Kansas State University Athletics