The Cyclones allow just three points as their string of strong plays carries on.
LAS VEGAS – Brock Purdy tried to take stock of what was amiss for the Iowa State offense. After misfiring for two weeks, the Iowa State quarterback looked around for inspiration on how to fix what was broken for the Cyclones. He found it on his own sideline. “What our offense did this past week is, ‘Hey, look at what the defense does so successfully,” Purdy said. “They’re a tight unit. They love each other. They play for one another.’ “That’s how we should be as well on offense.” That apparently did the trick as No.14 Iowa State’s offense found its stride while the defense continued its dominant ways in a 48-3 dismantling of UNLV on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium. While the offense finally exploding for the Cyclones (2-1) will likely draw the most attention given their early-season struggles, the defense’s performance against the Rebels (0-3) was worthy of the inspiration Purdy and the offense drew from them earlier in the week. More: Peterson: How much will Iowa State’s confidence-boosting win help get offense going? UNLV had just 18 yards in the first half Saturday and finished with 130 total for the game — 36 rushing,94 passing. That’s the fewest yards Iowa State has held an opponent to since 2017 when Kansas managed just 107. “They’re playing with a lot of confidence,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “That group, I feel, has played with a great sense of urgency.
