Likes, dislikes from Iowa State football's win over Oklahoma State

AMES — Halloween candy tasted even sweeter this year for the Iowa State football team.After a costly penalty put Oklahoma State in position to score and take the lead, the Cyclones managed to march down field with less than a minute to go.Iowa State got in position for standout kicker Kyle Konrardy, who converted the game-winner from 34 yards out. Cue the field-storming to top off a thrilling 51-49 shootout over the visiting Cowboys at Jack Trice Stadium on Oct. 31.Iowa State and Oklahoma State traded the lead three times in the first half, with the Cyclones taking a narrow lead after Konrardy had a last-second field goal to give Iowa State a 24-21 edge going into halftime.Both teams traded scores until the final whistle, but the Cyclones were able to stay in front nearly the entire way, fending off the Cowboys to improve to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in Big 12 play.Here are some likes and dislikes from the Iowa State-Oklahoma State game:LikesCyclones' mettle: In a back-and-forth game that had Cyclone fans' hearts racing, Iowa State gave up the go-ahead score with less than a minute to go after leading the entire second half. But the Cyclones responded, getting in range for Kyle Konrardy for the game-winning field goal and a field storming.Iowa State true freshman Jamal Polite Jr.: The young wide receiver worked his way into the rotation early in the season and has become a mainstay in the receiver corps, playing 40-plus snaps in each game since Big 12 play started. He had the biggest game of his young career, logging a season-high six receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown. With injuries piling up to receivers, Polite came through at a key time. Perhaps it's a case of riding the hot hand, but Jaylen Raynor went to Polite more than any other receiver on Saturday, targeting him 11 times, double the targets of the next-highest receiver (Ty Claiborne, 5).Iowa State was able to get the ground game going: The Cyclones' offense is undoubtedly at its best when they're able to get a push up front and gain yardage on the ground. The Cyclones tallied 258 yards (5.3 yards per carry) as a team. Aiden Flora carved up the Cowboys for 221 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Jaylen Raynor also had some crafty scrambles and chipped in 12 carries for 48 yards and a score.Special teams made an impact: From a surprise onside kick (that was booted and recovered by Kyle Konrardy) to long snapper Caleb Schmidt recovering a muffed punt, special teams helped give momentum surges that eventually led to scoring plays, and of course, the decisive game-winner at the end.Jaylen Raynor's response to getting benched last week: How would the senior quarterback respond to getting benched after shaky offensive performances? Connor Moberly was ruled out, so the offense was in his hands. Raynor had one of his better games of the year. The first-quarter interception was ugly, but he bounced back from that, had a season-high 309 passing yards and completed 18-of-28 passes. He had three touchdown passes. He showed improved footwork, made an impact with some scrambles and rushing plays and was a positive presence.Iowa State's third and fourth down conversion rates: The Cyclones have had a hard time with third and fourth down, but they were able to move the chains at a higher rate. Iowa State went 7-for-14 on third down and converted on its only fourth down try.Iowa State's offense: The Cyclones' offense had struggled in recent games, but they were rolling behind Flora, Polite, Raynor and the offensive line. Iowa State racked up a season-high 581 yards and it only punted four times, the fewest against a Big 12 opponent.DislikesIowa State defense continues to give up avoidable, explosive scoring plays: Caleb Hawkins made the Cyclone defense pay in a big way twice. For his first scoring play, he caught a pass, made a couple defenders miss and went upfield for a 59-yard touchdown reception. Later in the game, he bounced off a tackler en route to a 75-yard touchdown run. There were avoidable mistakes that could have potentially prevented a score and they felt especially weighted when the Cowboys managed to keep it close all throughout.Iowa State defense misses its defensive goals: The Cyclones were well off the mark once again, when it came to their goal of holding opponents to 14 points or fewer. A tip of the hat to Drew Mestemaker and the high-powered Cowboy offense, but it is now the fifth game in a row where the Cyclones have surrendered 400-plus yards and the third contest where they allowed 500 or more yards. Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker had too much time in the pocket/Cyclone defense didn't capitalize on chances to force turnovers as much as it could have: You can't let a standout quarterback get that comfortable. He was never sacked and the Cyclones only truly got to him once (outside of a play that resulted in a Cyclone penalty), hitting him while he threw a pass that was later incomplete due to a dropped interception. Speaking of which, the Iowa State defense had three drops that could have been interceptions going the other way, but couldn't hang on to the ball to punish the Cowboys' quarterback. The Cyclones did get the turnover when it mattered most, when Beau Goodwin was able to pick off Mestemaker late in the fourth quarter which led to an insurance field goal.More injuries to key players: Linebacker Sullivan Schlimgen went down midway through the fourth quarter and appeared to be struggling to walk. After being tended to in the medical tent, he went into the locker room and never returned to the game. Beau Goodwin and Trey Verdon also went down towards the end of the game.Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Likes, dislikes from Iowa State football's win over Oklahoma State