Berth in the Title Game Within Cyclones’ Grasp

MANHATTAN, Kan. —  A month ago, Iowa State was trying to snap a 13-game Big 12 Conference losing streak. Now the Cyclones are on the verge of winning the conference’s North Division and playing South Division champion and No. 2-ranked Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game Dec. 4.

Iowa State scored four touchdowns in 8 minutes 41 seconds of the fourth quarter Saturday and stunned Kansas State, 37-23, clinching a share of the North Division title. It will win the title outright if Nebraska defeats Colorado on Friday in Lincoln, Neb., or if the Buffaloes win, the Cyclones defeat Missouri on Saturday in Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State, playing its 113th season, has never won a conference title outright and last shared a title in 1912. Iowa State and Nebraska shared Missouri Valley Conference titles in 1911 and 1912.

The Cyclones, 6-4 and 4-3 in the Big 12, trailed the Wildcats by two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter, but freshman Bret Meyer ran for one score and threw for another during a 28-0 run that ended a 10-game losing streak to the Wildcats (4-7, 2-6).

“When you are down, you can only dream about things like this,” Meyer said. “You just keep believing, keep playing together, and good things will happen.”

Iowa State was 2-10 in 2003, losing its last 10. The Cyclones started 2-4 this season, then won at Baylor, 26-25, on Oct. 23, ending the conference road skid and igniting the improbable run.