Oct 7, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Kyle Kempt (17) passes the ball in action against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Photo Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
NORMAN, Okla. — Iowa State looked in no position to win Saturday at No. 3 Oklahoma.
The Cyclones were playing with a walk-on senior quarterback who had played in just three games during his career going into Saturday after its starter at the spot took a leave of absence for the team due to “medical concerns.”
But Kyle Kempt, with some help from ironman Joel Lanning, played a big part in pulling off the stunner as Iowa State beat the Sooners 38-31 at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Kempt completed 18 of 24 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns.
It was Iowa State’s first win over Oklahoma since 1990, snapping an 18-game losing streak in the series. It was only the Cyclones’ second win over the Sooners since 1961.
With 2:19 left, Kempt hit Allen Lazard for a 25-yard touchdown pass that Lazard wrestled away from Oklahoma safety Chanse Sylvie.
Lanning had been Iowa State’s starting quarterback for much of last season but moved to middle linebacker after Jacob Park beat him for the job over the offseason.
Lanning played much of the game at middle linebacker and also come on at quarterback in key spots as well, completing two of his three passes and running nine times for 35 yards.
Oklahoma had one more chance to tie it, getting the ball with 2:19 remaining but failed to cross midfield, with the Cyclones sealing the win by forcing a turnover on downs with 1:15 left.
After scoring on each of its first four possessions, Oklahoma’s offense stalled.
Trailing for the first time in the game, the Sooners grinded out a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Dimitri Flowers’ 1-yard touchdown run that tied it again.
Oklahoma led 14-0 10 minutes into the game and two more had 14-point leads before the Cyclones started chipping away.
The Sooners called two timeouts inside the final two minutes of the first half so that they’d get the ball back before the half.
But two incompletions and another pass that ended well short of a first down got Iowa State the ball back with plenty of time.
A 54-yard pass to Hakeem Butler set up the Cyclones for a quick field goal to send them into half down just 24-13.
That got the momentum sliding back Iowa State’s way and then the Cyclones fully seized it early in the third quarter after the Sooners drove to the ISU 5 before Trey Sermon coughed the ball up.
The Cyclones drove 94 yards, climbing within two on Kempt’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Marchie Murdock. Iowa State then tied it with a two-point conversion pass.
NOTES: Iowa State LB/QB Joel Lanning became the first Cyclones player since Dave McCurry in 1971 to play significant snaps on both sides of the ball. … Oklahoma NG Matt Romar missed his third consecutive game after suffering an injury early in the Sept. 9 game at Ohio State. … Sooners RB Abdul Adams and WR CeeDee Lamb left the game in the first quarter with injuries. Adams appeared to injure his ankle while Lamb hurt his shoulder on a touchdown catch. … Iowa State hosts Kansas. … The Sooners play Texas next Saturday in Dallas.
