<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2XWvrj_0vOjkyTf00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2XWvrj_0vOjkyTf00" width="1200" height="628" >IOWA CITY, Iowa — Through two quarters and a drive, Iowa State found itself just a big play or two away from facing a potentially insurmountable deficit as the Hawkeyes prepared to get the ball back in the second half.No. 21-ranked Iowa held all of the momentum, keeping Iowa State off the scoreboard through the first 30 minutes of the game with the Cyclones' offensive unit flustering. But in a single miscue from the Iowa offense, Iowa State was given new life."<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Darien-Porter-46049418">Darien (Porter)</a> made the interception is what happened," head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Matt-Campbell-1154">Matt Campbell</a> said of the game's turning point in the 20-19 comeback win. "The game really swung from there."A scramble from Hawkeyes QB <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Cade-McNamara-93369">Cade McNamara</a> and a crossbody throw to the opposite sideline put the ball up for grabs in Iowa territory, and Porter came away with the easy pick – his first career interception.The lone takeaway helped spark brand new energy on Iowa State's sideline, and the offense retook the field en route to a commanding 75-yard drive punctuated with a touchdown grab from star wide receiver <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jayden-Higgins-46109292">Jayden Higgins</a>. It was the best series the Cyclones would execute all day, and it came in a moment when Iowa State was nearly out of the game all together.Iowa State turned right around, shaking off an Iowa touchdown with a 75-yard statement to fellow playmaker <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jaylin-Noel-46085482">Jaylin Noel</a> as the Cyclones continued to close the gap. In just one opportunity taken advantage of by the defensive outfit, ISU snowballed an interception into a come-from-behind Cy-Hawk victory.The former receiver-turned-cornerback knows how important momentum can be in a close matchup, and how a quick turn can completely change perspectives."It's a great feeling, especially in a game like this that means so much to all of us," Porter said of his third quarter interception. "It feels good to positively impact the game in multiple different ways."Iowa State found itself playing with poise and confidence as the tide began to turn, something nearly absent in its first half effort. Campbell entered the third quarter wandering the sideline, feeling optimistic that his team was able to hang within a couple possessions despite a poor start but frustrated knowing the team could be on the brink of spiraling.That's when a few critical plays on both sides of the field picked him right up."I just think poise," Campbell said of what he learned about his team. "I feel like I was probably starting to lose it there a second at the start of the third quarter. The frustration was at nobody but myself."Porter's interception fired up Campbell on the sideline as the defense came away with a big stop to answer what could have been a game-breaking drive. But it also impacted his teammates, providing a fresh opportunity to climb back into contention."(Porter) used to be in the receiver room, that's the craziest part," Noel said. "Just to go in every day and work at his craft, and become the person that he has; he's one of the most talented people on our team and most athletic."With a turn of momentum, Iowa State was anything but out of the matchup. The Cyclones connected on a late field goal from kicker Kyle Konrardy to pull within two points of the Hawkeyes in the fourth quarter. And though the offense stalled on a pair of back-to-back drives, the unit cut through the Iowa defense to set up an eventual game-winning 54-yard field goal."The great teams, man, special ones, they can have those down moments and get right back on the road to success," Campbell said. "For kids to be able to show that in this environment against this football team, it's really impressive this early in the season."The field goal didn't ice the game, though. A precarious Iowa kick return left one second on the clock and an outside chance the Hawkeyes could still find the end zone and come away with a last-second win at home.But on McNamara's hail mary to close the game, Porter positioned himself on the Iowa State eight yard line and got vertical. The DB secured his second interception of the day and the Cy-Hawk trophy as the Cyclones stormed off the sideline to celebrate at midfield.</div></body>

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How Darien Porter's second half interception changed the tide in an Iowa State Cy-Hawk win

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Through two quarters and a drive, Iowa State found itself just a big play or two away from facing a potentially insurmountable deficit as the Hawkeyes prepared to get the ball back in the second half. No. 21-ranked Iowa held all of the momentum, keeping...

How Darien Porter's second half interception changed the tide in an Iowa State Cy-Hawk win

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