Iowa State proved its season-long bid to raise its standards was more than just a slogan.
Allen Lazard tied a Liberty Bowl record with 10 catches and put Iowa State ahead with a remarkable 5-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter Saturday, and the Cyclones beat No. 19 Memphis 21-20 on the Tigers' home field.
The victory gave Iowa State (8-5) its first bowl victory since beating the Gophers in the 2009 Insight Bowl and marked the Cyclones' third victory over a Top 25 team this season. That's the step forward Iowa State had in mind when it made "Raise The Standard" its team motto.
"The thing that finally resonates in our program is that this can happen, not only with our players but the people outside of our program, that success and winning football games at Ames, Iowa, can really happen," Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said.
Iowa State's progress was evident in the way it held on after its only lost fumble of the season. Iowa State was attempting to become the first Football Bowl Subdivision team to go an entire season without losing a fumble.
The Cyclones led 21-20 and had third-and-goal from the 1 when David Montgomery fumbled as he was crossing the goal line, a call that withstood replay review. Memphis (10-3) then drove to the Iowa State 40 but lost the ball when Riley Ferguson overthrew Phil Mayhue on fourth-and-10 with 1:52 remaining.
Iowa State pulled ahead 21-17 with 4:28 left in the third quarter when Kyle Kempt's pass appeared to get deflected just before Lazard caught it in the back of the end zone.
Lazard had 142 yards receiving in his final college game and was named MVP.
