AMES, Iowa — The 23rd-ranked Iowa State Cyclones opened their season with a blemish on their record, losing to non-conference foe Louisiana by three scores, 31-14.
The Cyclones have next week off before starting Big 12 play on the road against TCU on Sept. 26.
Local 5 will provide updates on ISU games throughout the season. Be sure to follow Sports Director Jon Schaeffer on Twitter.
Stats can be viewed here
Things to remember
—No fans will be in attendance at Jack Trice Stadium after the university decided to reverse an earlier decision on limiting the number of fans
—The Big 12 has secured access to COVID-19 testing that produces rapid results and will be used the day before competition on players, coaches and staff
—The Cyclones' 2020 schedule will be a "9+1" model, meaning Louisiana will be the team's only non-conference opponent; for a complete season schedule for ISU, click here
—Charlie Kolar (TE), Greg Eisworth (DB) and JaQuan Bailey (DE) have were named to the Big 12's Preseason All-Conference Team in July; Kolar was also picked as a second team Preseason All-American
—Iowa State was 7-6 (5-4 in Big 12 play) last year and ended the year with a 33-9 loss to Notre Dame in the Camping World Bowl; Lousiana was 11-3 (7-2 Sun Belt Conference) and beat Miami (OH) 27-17 in the Lendingtree Bowl
FOURTH QUARTER
FINAL: LOUISIANA 31- IOWA STATE-14
:10
Louisiana punches it in on a two yard run. Trey Ragas is in. 31-14 Louisiana. That'll do it.
1:45
Chris Smith with an 8 yard run on second down. UL inside the Cyclones' 5.
5:35
3rd and 7: UL with a run right up the gut from Elijah Mitchell. That's a first down.
7:16
4th and 5: Iowa State has to go for it. Pass broken up on the attempt to Chase Allen. That's a turnover on downs. Not looking good for ISU.
7:40
Iowa State finally with some life offensively. will it be too little too late?
9:30
3rd and 8: Iowa State gets the stop they need. Greg Eisworth with the tackle will force a UL punt.
11:06
ISU can't convert, they punt it away. ISU Defense needs to make a stop as UL starts at their own 12-yard line.
11:25
Iowa State continues to struggle to move the ball down field. They'll be looking at a 3rd and 10.
13:58
ISU forced to punt with their first possession of the 4th quarter. Jamal Bell with the house call for Louisiana goes 83-yards on the punt return for a Touchdown. 24-14 UL.
THIRD QUARTER
End of the quarter. 17-14 UL leads Iowa State.
2:04
Lewis hits Peter Leblanc on the 78-yard connection. That's a Louisiana touchdown and the Ragin' Cajuns take a 17-14 lead. Lewis had just 74-yards passing before the 78-yard TD.
3:04
3rd down: Brock Purdy sacked by Ferrod Gardner. Cyclones offense looks a bit sluggish still in the 3rd quarter.
3:59
Nate Snyder misses from 30-yards and the Cyclones stay ahead 14-10. Now misses of 30 and 20 for Snyder today.
4:35
3rd and 8: Louisiana on the Cyclones 12-yard line. Iowa State comes up with a big stop, which will force a field goal try for the Ragin' Cajuns.
5:39
3rd-and 16: Brock Purdy forces a pass that is picked off. Louisiana ball on the Cyclones' 14.
6:24
Iowa State has gone backwards on back-to-back plays now 3rd and 16 on their own 4.
7:11
Iowa State will start their drive at their 9 yard line following a late hit on the punt by the Cyclones
7:48
Will McDonald with the sack on third down. Forces a Louisiana punt
8:38
1st and 10: Joshua Bailey with the TFL on the carrie by Trey Ragas. Loss of 2
10:18
4th and 5: Iowa State going for it. Louisiana holds and it's a turnover on downs.
11:04
Brock Purdy threads the needle to Xavier Hutchinson who makes a great grab. 13-yard pitch and catch.
13:58
There's that patented pump fake from Brock Purdy: He picks up a first down for Iowa State. 15-yard run.
HALFTIME
JON SCHAEFFER: Iowa State was sluggish to start. It's very typical of what we have seen from Iowa State in years past in their opening game. The Cyclones found a rhythm on offense in the second quarter, but will need to stay mistake free the rest of the way. A fumble, and kickoff return for a touchdown have kept Louisiana in this game as we sit 14-10 at half.
KEY STATS
Brock Purdy: 9/16 100yds
Breece Hall: 12 car, 84 yds, 1 TD
Iowa State defense held Louisiana to 130 yds of total offense in the first half
Second Quarter
0:00
Louisiana kicker Nate Snyder, hits a 30-yard FG. 14-10 ISU at the half.
Cyclones will receive the second half kickoff.
1:10
Louisiana starts the drive at the 27-yard line.
1:17
Breece Hall with the 11-yard run for the touchdown. That puts Iowa State on top 14-7.
1:30
Brock Purdy connects with Chase Allen for a first down
2:29
Trevor Downing injured on the short run.
2:50
Pass Interference on Louisiana gives Iowa State a first down. They're set up at the 33 of the Ragin' Cajuns.
4:07
The Cyclones will start the drive at the 33-yard line.
JON SCHAEFFER: Iowa State showing that rust especially in tackling. It's been a common theme to start the season for all teams at the beginning of the year.
4:14
Ensuing kickoff Ragin' Cajuns get on the board. Chris Smith with the kickoff return for a touchdown. 7-7
4:28
Kene Nwangwu is in on a 1-yard touchdown run! Cyclones are on the board. PAT is good. ISU with a 7-0 lead.
5:05
Breece Hall breaks through for a first down. He loses the ball but he is ruled down. 1st-and-goal Cyclones.
5:18
3rd-and-6 pass goes to Milton and he spins down the sidelines for a first down.
6:00
Another Breece Hall run. He has nine rushes so far for 57 yards.
7:03
Breece Hall gains 18 on a 3rd-and-7 for the Cyclones. Huge play to bring the ball inside the Lousiana 30.
7:52
Punt fielded and returned by Tarique Milton. ISU will start in Ragin' Cajun territory.
8:01
Pressure forces a quick throw from Levi Lewis, but it falls incomplete. A three-and-out for the ISU defense.
ESPN takes a moment to remember D.J. Looney, an assistant coach for the Ragin' Cajuns who died of a heart attack in August at the age of 31.
9:19
Punt is fair caught by Lousiana at the 12-yard line. Still scoreless.
9:26
Back-to-back drops from ISU receivers brings up 4th-and-4.
10:03
A 6-yard run from Purdy pushes the Cyclones past midfield.
11:15
Kene Nwangwu comes up short on a 3rd-and-2 run. Cyclones convert a 4th-and-1 with a Purdy QB sneak.
13:20
Purdy converts a 3rd-and-9 pass to Xavier Hutchinson after nearly throwing an interception the previous play.
14:18
3rd-and-goal run is stopped well short of a touchdown. Lousiana misses a field goal and the Cyclones will get the ball back. Still no score.
First Quarter
0:35
JaQuan Bailey with a huge tackle for loss on 2nd-and-goal. A loss of 7 for Lousiana. That will end the first quarter.
1:28
RB Trey Ragas bounces it to the outside for a 7-yard gain. Another 3rd-and-1. They hurry it up and feed Ragas again. Now 1st-and-goal.
3:10
Lousiana runs it on 3rd-and-7 and converts. Ragin' Cajuns down to the ISU 32.
4:30
Lousiana converts a 3rd-and-12 on a RB screen to RB Elijah Mitchell. They're into ISU territory.
5:15
Lewis rolls out on play action but DL Latrell Bankston gets the sack.
5:55
Breece Hall shoots up the middle for a run but fumbles the ball. Lousiana recovers it.
6:02
Punt is out of bounds at the Cyclone 43-yard line. Second drive coming up for Brock Purdy and company.
6:10
Cyclones bring a corner blitz and QB Levi Lewis throws behind his intended receiver. ISU forces a three-and-out.
7:26
Punt is downed inside the 15. Ragin' Cajuns will take over for their second drive of the game.
7:41
Purdy misses Hutchinson again on a 3rd-and-6 throw. Cyclones will have to punt from the Lousiana side of the field.
8:37
Purdy takes his first deep shot of the game but it's incomplete. Intended for WR Xavier Hutchinson.
9:05
Cyclones are into Lousiana territory and convert a 3rd-and-1. Both offenses playing an up-tempo style so far.
12:32
ISU takes over after the punt on their own 16-yard line. First two plays for the Cyclone offense are a 5-yard run for RB Breece Hall and a 10-yard completion to WR Sean Shaw.
13:21
Lousiana is able to convert one third down, but their drive stalls out after pressure forces QB Levi Lewis out of bounds.
14:55
Iowa State kicks off to Lousiana, and we are underway! ESPN broadcast notes the Ragin' Cajuns were sixth in the country last year in rushing offense.