AP PHOTO - Iowa State wide receiver Landen Akers (82) runs back a blocked punt before being tackled by Baylor punter Issac Power, center during the second half of Saturday’s game in Ames.

AMES — It sure didn’t start out like a good Saturday night for the No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones against the Baylor Bears at Jack Trice Stadium.

Three first-half interceptions for Brock Purdy — one of them returned for a touchdown in the second quarter — and a fumble to start the second half from Greg Eisworth on a punt return set Baylor (1-4) up with a 24-10 lead.

It was the 28-point second half from the Cyclones that saved their Big 12 Championship hopes and resulted in a 38-31 victory. The 5-2 (5-1) Cyclones are in first place in the conference.

PURDY’S NIGHTMARE

The weirdest season of Purdy’s career continued against the Bears. The junior quarterback had three first half interceptions and was off-rhythm from the opening kickoff.

Head coach Matt Campbell said Purdy was on “the tough side of the mountain” in his struggles of the first half as the Cyclones struggled to pass the ball. It continued Purdy’s odd trajectory in 2020, as he’s been more turnover-prone and has six interceptions through seven games.

Campbell said he was impressed by Purdy’s ability to turn things around in the second half, when he threw three touchdown passes and helped complete the team’s comeback to victory. The first of those touchdown passes gave Purdy the school record for his career with his 51st career touchdown throw.

“And I think it’s pretty poetic that on a night like tonight, where things didn’t maybe start out the best, he kept climbing and persevering,” Campbell said.

His 164 yards on 15 completions were another sign of his lack of explosiveness in the passing game, as Breece Hall has become the focal point of the offense.

SECOND-HALF DEFENSE

After giving up 21 first-half points — all of them coming directly from Iowa State turnovers — and getting a field goal on the first drive of the third quarter thanks to a fumble, the Cyclones were able to largely shut down Charlie Brewer and the Bears’ offense.

Outside linebacker Mike Rose said the team wasn’t worried about the situation at the half, despite the deficit they faced.

“We’ve all been in that situation before, especially as a team,” Rose said. “So no one was freaking out. They threw some stuff at us on the first couple of drives that took us by surprise on the defensive side and you obviously can’t turn the ball over an offense. So we knew coming out, if we don’t do those things [we did in the first half], we got a good chance.”

The Cyclones gave up points at inopportune times in their last losses. But despite giving up more yards than they gained (366 to 362), Iowa State held firm in the second half — and a pick from Rose sealed the game, a big confidence boost for the Cyclones heading into the final stretch.

SPECIAL TEAMS MAGIC

For the first time since 2009, Iowa State’s punt team came up with a block. That punt block came at a big time, too, as the Cyclones held a one-score lead and were looking to put distance between themselves and the Bears.

Senior wide receiver Landen Akers got the block. Long-renowned for his special teams work, it was somewhat fitting that he was the one to break the streak.

Campbell said it was shocking to hear the stat.

“We’ve been inches away in some moments and to be honest with you, I thought we were able to make a play in a critical moment,” Campbell said. “So a bad stat that you brought up, positive result for the Cyclones. We don’t have to talk about that stat anymore, so I appreciate it.”

WIth that monkey off their back, Iowa State’s special teams can look forward — and continue to make small improvements that will be critical to help shore up the team’s weaknesses and make the Big 12 title game.