Dramatic Comeback Falls Just Short and Iowa State Beats SHSU
Dramatic Comeback Falls Just Short and Iowa State Beats SHSU
Iowa State won their ACR DIAA semifinal this past weekend, defeating San Houston State to make the final in Denver on May 6.
Both teams had won their quarterfinals in nailbiters, with SHSU beating Texas State and Iowa State holding off Minnesota.
All of that set up the semifinal in Houston. On a steamy Texas day, the Cyclones started quickly by putting Sam Houston State under pressure. That pressure led to a turnover and senior flanker Justin Campbell went over the line. Nick Gill was good on the conversion to make it 7-0 Cyclones less than 5 minutes into the match.
On the ensuing restart the Cyclones worked through the phases until senior captain Wes Cummings was hit from the side of a ruck, opening up a wound in his scalp. While Cummings was being tended to on the sideline, Sam Houston pressed after an errant pass and eventually the ball was kicked dead to prevent Sam Houston State from getting an opportunistic try. A 5 meter lineout gave a platform for the BearKats to attack, but the Cyclones held firm and were eventually able to clear their lines. It was then that Cummings was able to retake the field with a bandaged head and protective headgear.
ISU moved forward, and eventually scrumhalf Aiden Lewis picked and found Tyler Cahill on the wing for a try and a 12-0 Cyclones lead.
Sam Houston State’s speed kept Iowa State’s defense on their toes as the teams traded body blows in the midfield and desperation tackles on the perimeter before flanker Noah Miller was able to find the goalline to make it 17-0 Cyclones.
The teams immediately went back into their patterns in the middle of the field. But then Cummings was able to charge down a clearance kick and find center Drew Guinn to take it the distance. Gill slotted the conversion making it 24-0 with less than five minutes left in the first half. ISU kept it going and after a lineout mistake by SHSU, No.8 Sam Miller swooped in to score and it was 29-0.
The Cyclones were then put under pressure with less than a minute left in the half when Bearkats captain Jaxon Stokley was able to find paydirt to make it 29-5 at halftime.
The second half started off like the first with the Cyclones pushing the Bearkats back into their own 22 and stealing possession. Only, this time, the Bearkats, energized from their late try, were able to hold the Cyclones and turn them over. They took the ball the length of the field to score.
SHSU kept up the attack and broke through for another, and at 29-19 the comeback was assuredly on.
The teams went back to trading blows in front of a raucous crowd. The Cyclones tried to settle the game down while the Bearkats worked to up the tempo every chance they got. Eventually Iowa State's Justin Campbell found himself under the posts again and Gill slotted the conversion to make it 36-19.
The Bearkats showcased their impressive speed and fitness were able to again slice through the Cyclones defense and score one more. But time was not their friend and Iowa State held on 36-24 and again to make it 36-29.
But with time not on their side and Iowa State was able to close it out 36-29.
“Really, really proud of the boys for their effort," said Head Coach Ant Frein. "This is now two matches in a row, in enemy territory, that the boys have had to really dig deep at the end. We have talked all year about staying connected through the ups and downs and I’m proud that they were able to again stay connected when things went against them. Kudos to the entire roster as this win is a testament to the work they’ve done in training to build a strong 23 man roster.”
