AMES, IOWA – It was arguably West Virginia's biggest test, on the road at night against a plucky Iowa State team with a stifling defense and a dangerous young quarterback.
The sixth-ranked Mountaineers failed miserably.
Freshman Brock Purdy threw for 254 yards and three TDs and Iowa State throttled West Virginia 30-14 on Saturday, handing the Mountaineers their first loss.
David Montgomery had a career-high 189 yards rushing for the Cyclones (3-3, 2-2 Big 12), who beat a Top 25 team for the fifth time in seven tries.
"I thought at times that we played a lot of complete football," Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. "We continue to grow."
West Virginia (5-1, 3-1) was the fourth top-10 team to fall Saturday, following No. 2 Georgia, No. 7 Washington and No. 8 Penn State.
Iowa State scored 20 straight points after spotting West Virginia an early touchdown off a turnover. Purdy, in his first career start, then found Deshaunte Jones through a pair of defenders on a sprawling 32-yard TD grab that put Iowa State ahead 28-14 with 12:17 to go.
The story of the game was Iowa State's defense, which dominated the high-flying Mountaineers. West Virginia gained just 152 yards, 420 below its season average, and Grier was sacked seven times. Iowa State also held the Mountaineers to 1-for-10 on third downs. The Cyclones have held all six of their opponents below their season average
