Sunday December 31st, 2017

Today I got back to Ames after a fun trip down to Memphis to watch the Cyclones win the Liberty Bowl, 21-20 over the #19 ranked Memphis Tigers.  I drove down to O'Fallon, Missouri on Friday after work to meet up with my brother-in-law, Brian Gleason.  We left early the next morning and had a couple hours to tailgate prior to the 11:30 kickoff. 

The atmosphere for the bowl game was one of the best that I have been to for a live sporting event.  The game was a sell-out, and it was basically 50% Cyclone fans and 50% Memphis Tiger fans.  With every play there was one side of the stadium that cheered and one that booed.  Much different than the last time I was at the Liberty Bowl 5 years ago. 

The game was an exciting back-and-forth battle.  Iowa State scored on their opening drive via a 52-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Kempt to Hakeem Butler.  Later in the first quarter the Cyclones punter would bobble a snap and set the Tigers up with a short field, leading to their first score of the game.  In the second quarter, do-it-all player Joel Lanning came in to play QB and ran for a 2-yard touchdown.  Memphis would kick a field goal as time expired to make the score 14-10 in favor of Iowa State at halftime. 

In the second half, Memphis would take the lead on a 36-yard TD pass from Riley Ferguson to Phil Mayhue.  Iowa State would re-take the lead for good later in the third quarter when Allen Lazard made an amazing catch in the endzone after the ball was tipped by another ISU receiver.  Memphis tacked on a field goal late in the third quarter for the final score of the game, making it 21-20. 

There was plenty of stress in the fourth quarter.  Iowa State appeared to score another touchdown when David Montgomery clearly broke the plane of the goal line before fumbling the ball.  Somehow, the refs and replay officials managed to blow the call and ruled it a fumble and touchback for Memphis.  The Cyclones were able to overcome this adversity by stopping the Tiger's last chance drive.  After taking over on downs, Joel Lanning came in and ran the ball twice to get a first down, which was enough to then run out the clock. 

Lazard ended up with 10 catches for 142 yards and the one TD catch.  It was a heck of a performance in his last game as a Cyclone. 

After the game, we drove back up to St. Louis where Brian took me to a great BBQ place called Sugar Fire.  I ordered a combo of ribs and beef brisket, which came with two sides.  The brisket was probably the best I've ever had. 

The ISU band 

Panoramic picture from our seats in section 108

ISU 21, Memphis 20!

Our meal at Sugar Fire