Iowa State loses fumble, edges Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Allen Lazard tied a Liberty Bowl record with 10 catches and scored the go-ahead touchdown with a remarkable 5-yard reception in the third quarter, and Iowa State beat No. 19 Memphis 21-20 on the Tigers’ home field on Saturday.
The Cyclones (8-5) held after losing their first fumble of the season just as they appeared on the verge of scoring an insurance touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Iowa State was attempting to become the first Football Bowl Subdivision team to play an entire season without losing a fumble.
Nursing a 21-20 lead, the Cyclones had third-and-goal at the 1 when David Montgomery fumbled as he was crossing the goal line and Jonathan Cook of Memphis recovered in the end zone for a touchback with 4:06 left. The call stood after replays were inconclusive as to whether Montgomery had reached the end zone before the Tigers’ O’Bryan Goodson knocked the ball loose.
Memphis (10-3) drove to the Iowa State 40 on its next possession but lost the ball on downs with 1:52 to go.
The victory gave Iowa State its first bowl win since beating Minnesota 14-13 in the 2009 Insight, and it marked the Cyclones’ third win over a top-25 team this season.
“The thing that finally resonates in our program is that this can happen, not only with our players but the people outside of our program, that success and winning football games at Ames, Iowa, can really happen,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said.
The Cyclones pulled ahead for good at 21-17 on a bizarre play with 4:28 left in the third quarter. On secondand-goal from the 5, Kyle Kempt’s pass appeared to sail over Memphis safety Josh Perry’s outstretched arms, and it was tipped by Iowa State’s Marchie Murdock before Lazard caught it in the back of the end zone. Lazard had 142 yards receiving.
Riley Patterson kicked a 30-yard field goal with 2:16 left for Memphis.
NO. 24 MISSISSIPPI STATE 31, LOUISVILLE 27: Freshman Keytaon Thompson, making his first start in place of injured quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, ran for 147 yards and three touchdowns to help Mississippi State (9-4) beat Louisville (8-5) in the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. Thompson and Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson provided many of the highlights — and some lowlights. Thompson, who had 27 carries, scored twice in the fourth quarter, including a 1-yard plunge with 3:39 remaining that put the Bulldogs ahead for good. Jackson had the Cardinals on the move late, but safety Mark McLaurin intercepted his third pass of the game. After a failed fourth-down conversation, Jackson got a final chance in the waning seconds, but his desperation pass was batted away in the end zone.
Jackson completed 13 of 31 passes for 171 yards, with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He threw just six picks in the regular season. Jackson ran 24 times for 158 yards and a touchdown, including a career-best 75-yard run. He also was sacked six times. Jackson, the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, might have played his final college game. He has yet to declare for the NFL draft, but most observers believe the junior will turn pro. “I got to sit down with my coach and my family,” he said.