WATCH: Iowa State touchdown called back after taunting penalty
Iowa State receiver Xavier Hutchinson had a third-quarter touchdown erased because of a taunting penalty Saturday against Oklahoma State. The Cyclones receiver high-stepped his way into the end zone and a flag was thrown.
In college football, taunting is a spot penalty, meaning the Cyclones took over at the Cowboy 18. Fortunately, they still ended up scoring, as Hutchinson would not be denied and caught a 9-yard pass to even the game at 14.
The Cowboys are one of only two remaining unbeaten teams in the Big 12. They are a favorite to play for a Big 12 championship at the end of this season. However, they find themselves in a tight battle with Iowa State, and held a 21-17 lead with a little more than five minutes to go.
That wouldn’t last long, however, as Breece Hall rumbled into the end zone to give Iowa State the lead with 5:29 remaining. That put the pressure on Spencer Sanders and the offense to come up with a game-winning drive.
The Cowboys were held scoreless in the third quarter following two first-half touchdowns from receiver Brennan Presley. They finally broke through in the fourth when quarterback Spencer Sanders threw his third touchdown of the day to Tay Martin.
Top 10
- 1
Updated SEC title game scenarios
The path to the championship game is clear
- 2
SEC refs under fire
'Incorrect call' wipes Bama TD away
- 3
'Fire Kelly' chants at LSU
Death Valley disapproval of Brian Kelly
- 4New
Chipper Jones
Braves legend fiercely defends SEC
- 5
Drinkwitz warns MSU
Mizzou coach sounded off
Oklahoma State entered this game as a top 10 team and one of only two remaining unbeatens in the Big 12. Despite this, the Cyclones found themselves a 7-point favorite.
The matchup pits the top two defenses in the conference against each other, so offensive fireworks weren’t expected. The Cowboys defensive front held the Cyclones to just nine yards rushing on 16 carries in the first half.
Defense was also the deciding factor at the end of the game. With OSU trailing by 3 and facing fourth down, Spencer Sanders threw a screen pass to Presley. He was met by a host of Cyclones and brought down as the Cowboys suffered their first loss.
Iowa State will look to keep its winning streak going when it takes on West Virginia next Saturday on the road. The Cowboys are back home with a game against Kansas the same day.