Dressed for Halloween in all-black against Oklahoma State's all-orange, Iowa State spent four quarters trading trick-or-treat scoring blows like candy before Kyle Konrardy snatched the sweetest prize of all, drilling a 34-yard field goal as time expired for a 51-49 victory over No. 24 Cowboys on Saturday night at Jack Trice Stadium.
Konrardy's game-winner capped a 100-point, 1,114-yard offensive thriller that shattered the 60-year series record for combined points between the schools.
Oklahoma State (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit when quarterback Drew Mestemaker threw a 7-yard underhanded shovel pass to Wyatt Young, putting the Cowboys ahead 49-48 with 53 seconds remaining. However, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Young forced Oklahoma State to kick off from its own 20-yard line.
Starting from the Cyclones' 37-yard line, quarterback Jaylen Raynor immediately connected with freshman receiver Jamal Polite Jr. for a 33-yard leaping catch. Two carries by Aiden Flora gained 14 yards to reach the Cowboys' 11-yard line, positioning Konrardy for his third career game-winning field goal as fans stormed the field.
Raynor completed 18 of 28 passes for a season-high 309 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, while adding an 8-yard touchdown run. He threw scoring passes to Easton Miller (2 yards), Polite (43 yards), and Cameron Pettaway (40 yards). Polite posted career highs of six receptions for 171 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.
Flora rushed 29 times for a career-high 221 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown sprint down the left sideline in the fourth quarter. His performance marked his third 200-yard rushing output of the season.
Mestemaker led Oklahoma State by completing 27 of 42 passes for 323 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. The performance marked Mestemaker's seventh consecutive game with at least 300 passing yards and multiple touchdown passes, matching the Big 12 single-season record.
Cowboys running back Caleb Hawkins compiled 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries — including a 75-yard touchdown run — while adding six receptions for 81 yards and a 59-yard touchdown catch. Wide receiver Justin Bowick hauled in seven passes for 124 yards and two scores.
Iowa State (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) gained crucial second-quarter momentum by executing two special teams takeaways that limited Oklahoma State to a single offensive possession in the period. Konrardy recovered his own surprise onside kick at the ISU 48 to set up Polite's touchdown reception, and Caleb Schmidt later recovered a muffed punt at the OSU 36 to set up a 39-yard field goal for a 24-21 halftime lead.
The victory marked Iowa State's first win over a ranked opponent under first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers since defeating Kansas State in last season's opener in Ireland. The Cyclones travel to face Baylor next Saturday, while Oklahoma State drops to 3-2 in conference play.
