Iowa State was embroiled in a true slugfest on the road at Ohio Saturday, with points coming at a premium. The Cyclones thought they were on the board in the middle of the fourth quarter with a 37-yard field goal by Chase Contreraz, but the official deemed that the kick—which appeared to clear the upright for three points—was a miss.
On third-and-13 from the Ohio 31-yard-line, Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht found Dimitri Stanley for 12 yards. Rather than go for it on fourth-and-1, coach Matt Campbell elected to kick a field goal to cut the Bobcats lead to a touchdown.
Contreraz’s kick looked good on the broadcast, and on a replay from underneath the goalpost, but the officials ruled it wide right.
The Iowa State field goal that looked good but was ruled no good. pic.twitter.com/UVGlGO3b19
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) September 16, 2023
The Cyclones scored a touchdown on their next drive to get on the board, but ultimately fell short 10–7, with the field goal-that-wasn’t proving to be the difference on the scoreboard.
After the game went final, Iowa State fans online were apoplectic and other college football fans and media members couldn’t believe how things transpired.
Team gets food poisoning, a made field goal is inexplicably called no good, and a swallowed whistle on the biggest play of the game.
— Garret Tiarks (@g2tiarks) September 16, 2023
Just another day in Iowa State football
Ohio University upsets Iowa State, 10-7, in Athens. Huge win for coach Tim Albin and star QB Kurtis Rourke. Iowa State falls to 1-2 and will be haunted by controversial field goal called no good.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 16, 2023
Look, if iowa state loses this game, it’s ultimately because they did not play well… however, when you somehow MISS-CALL a good field goal as a reffing crew and it takes points off the board, you need to be held accountable. Thats inexcusable to have that in 2023
— Shayne Olson (@shayneo79) September 16, 2023
Iowa state should be going to tie right now this was a made field goal pic.twitter.com/Y6Dr3oI8hq
— chiefsINTlostMeEverything (@2k_BobSacamano9) September 16, 2023
Ultimately, the Cyclones had plenty of other opportunities to take control of the game against their MAC foe, but this call is certain to haunt them for at least another week, if not longer if this already rough-looking season gets away from them.
