Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On November 6, 1993, Cyclone center Tony Booth made a critical catch in a 27-23 Iowa State win over eighteenth-ranked Kansas State. On down 17-12 late and facing a 3rd and 6 at the KSU 49, Booth caught a deflected pass and rumbled for eight yards to set up a come-from-behind victory for the Cyclones.
Amid an otherwise bleak 3-8 campaign under head coach Jim Walden, the Cyclones entered a home match-up against heavily favored Kansas State with only a single previous win in Big 8 play. Iowa State got down early and trailed 17-6 late in the third quarter when a streaker cutting across the field at Cyclone Stadium stopped the game temporarily. On the next play, Calvin Branch gained 19 yards on an end-around to spark an 80-yard Cyclone touchdown drive.
With the Cyclones down 17-12, the Iowa State defense got a stop, and the offense looked to keep the comeback alive. As the clock ticked down to erase half the fourth quarter, the Cyclone offense faced 3rd and 6 near midfield. Iowa State quarterback Todd Doxzon let a pass fly, and Kansas State defensive lineman Kelly Greene deflected the ball. “I was blocking at the time, and I just happened to look up,” Booth said. “The ball was just kind of fluttering in the air.” The center went on to make the first catch of his college career while helping keep the drive alive.
The Cyclones went on to cap the 68-yard drive with a touchdown to take the lead 20-17. Another late score helped seal the deal, and the Cyclones pulled off the upset over eighteenth-ranked Kansas State 27-23. “I think Tony Booth should be the star of the game,” Walden said. “That’s about as big a play as a lineman is going to make in a situation where you need it.” #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
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