What we learned from UT's 17-7 win at Iowa State (Tom Herman called it 'phenomenal')

ames, iowa -- whilst everything changed into threatening to unravel towards iowa kingdom, the texas defense remained the only clear consistent thursday.

while masses of flaws had been uncovered in a 17-7 big 12 beginning win over the cyclones, the defense proved that its performance in opposition to southern california turned into no mirage, but a sign of things to come.

"the defensive performance turned into extra special," texas instruct tom herman said. "to preserve a team to 10 yards on the floor and get the turnovers and fourth-down stops in their stadium is pretty wonderful."

texas held iowa nation -- which had scored as a minimum 41 points in each of its first three games -- to 256 general yards. the defense had 3 interceptions off iowa country quarterback jacob park, two by way of deshon elliott, and sacked him 4 times. on 0.33 and fourth down, iowa nation was just 3 of 14. malik jefferson had one important fourth-down sack within the fourth quarter.

and, as herman stated, iowa nation had 10 yards dashing.

"our d-line, a 100 percent credit score to them," elliott stated. "without them, we can't do anything. so with them gambling that nicely, it allow us to make plays on the ball."

after seeing his unit torched in the opener by way of maryland, protecting coordinator todd orlando said his players were reacting and thinking too much. towards iowa state, they without a doubt attacked the offense.

regardless of a long list of problems, herman made no apologies for the win. a former iowa country offensive coordinator, he realizes how chaotic things can get at jack trice stadium, where iowa state had received 10 of the 14 previous thursday night video games.

"we are going to have fun this win," herman stated. "prevailing college soccer games is simply tough, honestly difficult. prevailing on the road in conference is even harder."

making his first start after missing  games with a sore shoulder, shane buechele threw for 171 yards and a touchdown. he also ran for 42 yards on 13 consists of.

he knew whom to credit in a while.

"our protection performed fantastic," buechele said. "that win is on them. i used to be very thankful for the manner we performed."

what seemed like a secure 14-0 lead at halftime proved anything however.

twice within the third quarter, texas (2-2, 1-0) survived self-destruction way to replay review. one negated an armanti foreman fumble on a kickoff go back that changed into recovered via iowa nation at the texas 9. a buechele strive was dominated a forward skip, no longer a lateral, wiping away an apparent cyclones touchdown.

at one point, the makeshift offensive line had 4 conserving consequences on 11 performs within the 0.33 region.

ultimately, iowa country (2-2, zero-1) broke via following a 17-yard shank with the aid of all-the united states punter michael dickson. park sold time and discovered matthew eaton from 11 yards out past due inside the third quarter.

but that turned into it for the iowa state offense.

"they are absolutely precise on protection," iowa country coach matt campbell said. "they brought quite a few strain inside the first 1/2 of the game, and had more men on the road of scrimmage than there have been blockers. it can positioned you in a difficult state of affairs."

for the all offensive struggles, in particular inside the second 1/2, texas closed the sport on a 13-play power that consumed the very last 7:35.

"to end the sport that drive, all on the floor to devour up clock and maintain our defense off the sphere ...," herman said.