Andrew BellFormer Perry Puma Brock Purdy returned home and made history on Saturday, leading the Iowa State Cyclones to its first New Year’s Six Bowl Game victory in school history by winning the Fiesta Bowl against the Oregon Ducks 34-17. The Cyclones dominated time of possession and wore down Oregon to take home the trophy in State 48.
In the first half, the former Perry star was nearly spotless, going 13-16 for 131 yards and a touchdown for a passer rating of 170.7. He also had a rushing score, making Purdy the career leader in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in Cyclones history. When the final horn sounded, he finished going 20-29 for 156 yards, earning Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP.
“When I went out to the field to warm up and saw the nice tight grass and just driving to the stadium and seeing State Farm Stadium, I was like, ‘Man, I really am home,'” Purdy said after the win. “…To be able to play on that field, I don’t have words for it. It was amazing to win and be able to have that performance as a team. For me, it’s everything…Being able to look back, this is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Purdy➡️Kolar for the 16th time in school history.
🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/6JW3SUwh4L
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) January 2, 2021
On the Oregon side, former Chandler standout wide receiver Johnny Johnson III also led all Ducks receivers with four receptions for 41 yards, including this highlight reel toe-tap on the sideline in the first half.
This toe-tap 😮 pic.twitter.com/TFsjWnl1BG
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2021
Former Hamilton Husky Tyler Shough also went 7-9 for 79 yards, but split time at quarterback with fellow Ducks signal-caller Anthony Brown throughout the game.
Although it was a bizarre college football season, Purdy was able to put a finishing stamp on his 2020 season in Ames while playing under head coach Matt Campbell.
“I couldn’t think of a greater way for Brock to end his junior year and I couldn’t think of a greater way for this football team to etch its name in the history books of Iowa State football, then for Brock Purdy to come home and to win the Fiesta Bowl and be the offensive MVP,” Campbell said. “I’m so happy for him and I’m happy for his family. I know when Brock said he was going to come to Iowa State, I said it’s going to be a leap of faith. It’s come full circle and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
