Texas A&M Big Plays Too Much for Cyclones

AMES, Iowa--Dante Hall returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown and Branndon Stewart added a 70-yard scoring pass as Texas A&M edged Iowa State, 24-21, in a Big 12 Conference game.

D'Andre Hardeman's one-yard run gave the Aggies (3-3, 1-1 Big 12 South) a 7-0 lead less than five minutes into the game before Hall's return doubled the margin with 8:02 to play in the first quarter. Kyle Bryant kicked a 42-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-0 with 1:33 remaining in the first quarter.

Iowa State (2-3, 1-1 North) closed within 17-14 as quarterback Todd Doxzon dove in from one yard out in the first half and Troy Davis dashed in from two yards 85 seconds into the second half.

Davis finished with 130 yards on 39 carries, his lowest total of the season. He has 1,047 yards on the season and his total today more than doubled what the Aggies were giving up on defense. Texas A&M entered the game third in the nation on rushing defense, allowing 60.4 yards.

Stewart, a transfer from Tennessee, then hit Albert Connell over the middle and Connell outraced the defense to give the Aggies a 24-14 lead with 7:52 to play.

Darren Davis, Troy's brother, pulled the Cyclones within 24-21 on a 27-yard touchdown reception with five minutes left. Doxzon completed 13-of-24 passes for 191 yards for Iowa State.

Hardeman rushed for 107 yards on just nine carries and had a 74-yard jaunt. Stewart completed 9-of-18 passes for 129 yards with one interception and one touchdown. Connell caught four passes for 91 yards.

Texas A&M has won all three meetings between the schools.