Oklahoma State Rolls Past Iowa State

Iowa State marched down the field in almost effortless fashion on its first drive of the game, passing with ease against the much-maligned Oklahoma State secondary for an early 7-0 lead.

Then two drives later, the No. 24 Cyclones strung together another effective seven-play, 52-yard drive for a field goal and a 10-7 lead.

That was all the Oklahoma State defense was having of that.

The Cyclones never scored again after the 3:17 mark in the first quarter as the Pokes rolled for an impressive 31-10 drubbing in front of a Homecoming crowd in Stillwater.

The Cowboy defense provided ample storylines, including forcing two key turnovers after producing just four takeaways on the season entering the contest, ranking second to last in the country.

The Pokes stifled the ISU rushing attack, limiting the Cyclones to just 101 yards, and also pressured quarterback Jared Barnett into a 19-of-39 passing performance that resulted in his fourth-quarter benching.

In game where the Cowboy offense left plenty of points on the field with two missed field goals, numerous dropped passes and a lost fumble inside the 5-yard line, it was the defense's play that got things moving in the right direction for OSU.

Once the defense set the tone, J.W. Walsh and the Cowboy offense followed suit, eventually dropping 625 yards of total offense on the vaunted ISU defense.

Walsh carved up the Cyclone secondary, completing 32-of-47 passes for 415 yards and a score, while also adding 46 rushing yards and another touchdown. Walsh set an OSU freshman record with his third game this season with 300-plus passing.

Walsh hooked up early and often with his former high school teammate Josh Stewart. Walsh and Stewart connected 13 times for 89 yards; Stewart's 13 receptions in the second most in a single game in OSU history.

For all of Stewart's catches, it might have been Charlie Moore who put together the more memorable day. Moore caught eight passes for 129 yards and a touchdown that gave the Cowboys the lead for good on a 74-yard burst down the right sideline in the second quarter.

It was the second consecutive week Walsh and Moore have connected on a 70-plus yard touchdown after they hit on a 72-yarder against Kansas.

Transfer Blake Jackson also had a big day with four catches for 96 yards.

Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle helped pace the balanced offensive attack with151 rushing yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns.

OSU coach Mike Gundy moved into first place on the school's all-time wins list with his 63rd victory on the Cowboys' sideline. The win moved him past his coach from his playing days in Stillwater, Pat Jones.

With the win, the Cowboys improved to 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in Big 12 play. Iowa State drops to 4-3 and 1-3 in league play.

The Cowboys are at home again next week when they host No. 23 TCU at 2:30 p.m. in Boone Pickens Stadium.