Texas Tech ends Iowa State's undefeated season and dents the Cyclones' CFP hopes

Iowa State's attempt to start 8-0 for the first time in school history failed when Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks scored with 20 seconds left in a 23-22 upset at rain-soaked Jack Trice Stadium stormed the end zone.

Texas Tech (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) took over at the 29-yard line with 2:06 left and drove 71 yards in 12 plays. The Red Raiders converted a fourth-and-7 with an 8-yard pass from quarterback Behren Morton to Josh Kelly, who carried the ball past midfield. Morton then completed three straight passes on the drive to get the Red Raiders to the Iowa State 1-yard line.

Two plays after Texas Tech took a false start penalty to the 6-yard line, Brooks broke through for the game-winning touchdown.

Tahj Brooks takes the lead in Ames‼️ ⌚️

📺 ESPN | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/P8CH4cgCvw

— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 2, 2024

Brooks finished the game with 122 yards on 25 carries. Kelly had eight catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns.

The No. 11 Cyclones (7-1) were off to their best start since 1938 and had plenty of chances to win. After getting within 17-16, Iowa State missed a 51-yard field goal.

Then, with 2:11 left, quarterback Rocco Becht threw a 44-yard strike to Carson Brown, who raced through the Texas Tech defense to give the Cyclones a 23-22 lead. The two-point conversion failed, which proved crucial.

What the loss means for Iowa State

Saturday was a blow to an otherwise magical season for the Cyclones, who went 7-0 for the first time since 1938. But they were off to just the best start in program history on Saturday and could still have some work to do to reach the Big 12 title game – especially the season finale against Kansas State. It also hurts Iowa State's overall playoff odds.

A one-loss Cyclones team that lost in the Big 12 Championship — perhaps to a still-undefeated BYU? – would have had a strong claim to secure a spot in the first-round playoffs. Now, an Iowa State team that doesn't win the conference title would have at least two losses, and the best win might be a Week 2 non-conference win over then-first-place Iowa. – Justin Williams, senior college football writer

Texas Tech's rollercoaster week

During the ESPN postgame interview, you could hear the crackle in coach Joey McGuire's voice, with emotions coming through.

“We had a really tough week last week,” said McGuire, who coached the Red Raiders to earn bowl eligibility in the team's biggest win of the season.

Texas Tech lost 35-34 to TCU last Saturday, losing the ball in the final two minutes after blowing a 17-point lead in the second half. This loss came a week after Baylor was embarrassed at home.

Then this week, Texas Tech found itself at the center of the unencrypted helmet communications ordeal. Tech's in-game headset audio communications were captured by an outside company, prompting Tech to request a Big 12 review of its losses to Baylor and TCU and move to a new company for its coach-to-helmet communications equipment .

The Big 12's review found no evidence of wrongdoing against Tech, but a program and fan base that felt appeased and rejected will find some vindication in Saturday's upset in Ames. – Williams

This story will be updated.

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(Photo: Reese Strickland / Imagn Images)