AP PHOTO - Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from West Virginia cornerback Hakeem Bailey (24) during the first half of a Big 12 Conference football game Saturday night at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

AMES — Based on rankings, it should have been the Mountaineers looking elite. But with Iowa State’s defensive force Saturday, it was the Cyclones who defeated No. 6 West Virginia in Ames 30-14.

“That right there, that was amazing,” said defensive end JaQuan Bailey, who had two sacks in the game.

The Cyclones defense ended the game with seven sacks against West Virginia’s Will Grier, who has been brought up in Heisman trophy discussions. The domination is pretty clear once you throw in an additional nine tackles for loss and an interception.

The Cyclones’ defense ended West Virginia’s first two drives of the game with two sacks on third down. But the Cyclones’ offense was nowhere to be found.

Midway through the first quarter, Iowa State had seven total yards and a Brock Purdy interception on the first play of the second offensive drive. West Virginia capitalized and got on the board first with a touchdown off a Grier pass to David Sills V.

Then David Montgomery did what David Montgomery does. He brought life to the Iowa State offense — even after sitting out the last game for an injury. The rest of the first half was all Cyclones on offense and defense. Almost.

With a few minutes to go in the half, West Virginia nearly intercepted the ball, but the call was overturned on a review. It may have been better if it wasn’t overturned for the Cyclones because West Virginia blocked the field goal attempt and Derrek Pitts Jr. took it to the house.

The Mountaineers didn’t carry the momentum into the second half. West Virginia only went for 40 yards in the half and couldn’t get on the scoreboard.

Iowa State’s offense was plagued with penalties in the second half, but was still able to convert on the long yardage to get a wild touchdown to Deshaunte Jones with a two-point conversion after. The Cyclones defense got a safety to add on the final points for Iowa State.

Hakeem Butler had six catches for 107 yards. He said Purdy’s the best quarterback in the country. Montgomery said he’s impressed that Purdy is able to “be the general” at such a young age and bounce back from adversity after the early interception.

It was Purdy’s first start at home after he led Iowa State to a win against then-No. 25 Oklahoma State on the road in a Big 12 Conference that is not easy to win in. The Iowa State fans rushed the field after knocking off a ranked team for the second week in a row. They weren’t the only ones rushing the field. Montgomery rushed for 189 yards, including 37- and 21-yard rushes. Kene Nwangwu also rushed for 26 yards on five carries.

October has been a good month for the Cyclones the past two seasons, with big wins against ranked teams.

“You guys may have counted us out, in here we knew we had it coming,” Butler said.

The Cyclones improve to 3-3 on the season, 2-2 in the Big 12.

“All anyone’s ever wanted is something that gave them hope and I really hope that our team is starting to give this fan base hope that we can get this done here,” Campbell said.

Iowa St. 30, No. 6 West Virginia 14

At Ames

West Virginia 7 7 0 0 — 14

Iowa St. 13 7 0 10 — 30

First Quarter

WVU–D.Sills 18 pass from Grier (Staley kick), 6:47

ISU–Butler 4 pass from Purdy (Assalley kick), 4:24

ISU–Montgomery 2 run (kick failed), :13

Second Quarter

ISU–Kolar 19 pass from Purdy (Assalley kick), 9:21

WVU– (Staley kick)

Fourth Quarter

ISU–D.Jones 32 pass from Purdy (Eaton pass from Purdy), 12:17

TEAM STATISTICS

WVU ISU

First downs 9 25

Rushes-yards 27-52 46-244

Passing 100 254

Comp-Att-Int 11-15-1 18-25-1

Return Yards 45 49

Punts-Avg. 8-38.87 4-40.0

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 9-103 10-95

Time of Possession 22:39 37:21

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–West Virginia, McKoy 9-55, Pettaway 8-30, Grier 10-(minus 33). Iowa St., Montgomery 28-189, Purdy 11-39, Nwangwu 5-26, (Team) 2-(minus 10).

PASSING–West Virginia, Grier 11-15-1-100. Iowa St., Purdy 18-25-1-254.

RECEIVING–West Virginia, Jennings 4-38, McKoy 2-28, D.Sills 2-22, Simms 2-8, Wesco 1-4. Iowa St., Butler 6-107, Milton 4-36, Kolar 2-36, Eaton 2-24, D.Jones 1-32, Nwangwu 1-11, Akers 1-8, Montgomery 1-0.

MISSED FIELD GOALS–Iowa St., Assalley 40, Assalley 47.