AMES — Oklahoma may have defeated Iowa State for the 18th consecutive season Thursday, but the outcome was far from certain until late in the contest.
Leading 28-17 at the half, the vaunted Sooner offense could generate only a pair of field goals after the intermission. Fortunately for the Big XII leader, their defense held Iowa State to only seven points post-break en route to a 34-24 victory.
Perry’s Kane Seeley started again at middle linebacker for the Cyclones, appearing in his 45th consecutive game for ISU. He had eight tackles (three solo) and sacked highly-regarded OU quarterback Baker Mayfield for a nine-yard loss.
“It felt great, and I was happy I made the play for my team,” Seeley said. “I was close to him a couple of times earlier and it was just rewarding finally making the play.”
Seeley is currently third in total tackles this season for the ISU defense with 54 stops, 24 of them solo denials. He has two sacks, five tackles for loss, an interception and — last week against Kansas State — scored the first safety for the Cylcone defense since 2006.
Oklahoma, however, appears to bring out the best in the former Bluejay star. He had a season-high seven tackles and a forced fumble against the Sooners in Norman, Ok. last year.
ISU travels to Kansas Saturday, and while playing on ESPN on Thursday was a treat, it meant a short week. Now the team will have two extra days to rest before taking on the Jayhawks.
Seeley will close his football career with a pair of home games, as ISU will entertain Texas Tech Nov. 19 and West Virgina Nov. 26.
