FIRST QUARTER

Confidence in the newbie: On fourth-and-goal at the Iowa State 1-yard line, Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson followed true freshman left guard Patrick Lewis for an easy TD on a keeper.

One too many times: Jerome Tiller's four completions on ISU's first two drives were to Josh Lenz, a Wes Welker look-alike. A&M safety Jordan Pugh took note and locked on Lenz to pick off his first pass of the season.

Key stat: A&M's offense had five plays of 10 yards or more.

SECOND QUARTER

Questionable fourth-down call: The Cyclones went in to the Wildcat formation for only the second time of the game on a crucial fourth-and-1 at the A&M 22. Running back Alexander Robinson, who rushed for 72 yards in the first half, suffered his only rushing loss of the half when Kyle Mangan filled the hole and Pugh followed him to catch Robinson 1 yard behind the line of scrimmage.

Give an assist to the official: A&M could've asked for a flag on an official for setting a screen when Lenz used the "screen" to catch a pass for 12 yards with 12 seconds left before halftime. Two plays later, ISU's Grant Mahoney kicked a 29-yard field goal for the Cyclones' only points of the half.

Key stat: A&M just missed its first first-half shutout since blanking Kansas in 2007.

THIRD QUARTER

Touchdown to touchback: A&M freshman receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu, who has six touchdowns, nearly made it seven on what would've been a 27-yard TD catch, but Nwachukwu fumbled at the goal line after a hard hit by ISU linebacker James Smith. ISU cornerback Leonard Johnson recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback, which stood after a booth review. Nwachukwu stayed on the ground by the pylon for a couple of minutes after the hit.

Fumble! ... Never mind: On the Cyclones' longest play from scrimmage, Tiller hooked up with Darius Darks for 45 yards. As Pugh tackled Darks, the Kyle Field crowd roared thinking Darks had fumbled the ball. He hadn't. He'd just lost his shoe.

Key Stat: ISU ran 12 of its 15 third-quarter plays in A&M territory but didn't score.

FOURTH QUARTER

Unpatriotic official: After A&M receiver Howard Morrow scored on his 7-yard catch, he was flagged for unsporstmanlike conduct for saluting the crowd -- it was Military Appreciation Day at Kyle Field. Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA played over the loud speakers on the following play. Morrow said he did it because he has family in the military. He also admitted getting an earful from A&M head coach Mike Sherman afterward.

Putting out the white flag: The Cyclones, who went for it on fourth down three times, elected to punt on fourth-and-1 at their own 38 with just under 9 minutes to play. ISU trailed 35-10 at the time.

Key Stat: A&M's Cyrus Gray had nine carries for 55 yards in the period.

-- Richard Croome