Mountaineers top Cyclones, end skid

— Tavon Austin turned a touch pass from Geno Smith into a 75-yard touchdown catch with 6:31 left, and West Virginia held on to beat Iowa State 31-24 Friday to break a five-game losing streak.

In the first game between the schools, the Mountaineers (6-5, 3-5) trailed 24-23 when they took over on their 25 after Iowa State’s Edwin Arceo kicked a 49-yard field goal.

Smith took the snap in shotgun formation and immediately flicked the ball to Austin cutting in front of him. Austin, who had been held in check until then, turned the corner and easily outran the pursuit down the left sideline.

Iowa State (6-6, 4-5) then drove to the West Virginia 7, but Jeff Woody fumbled into the end zone and Karl Joseph recovered for the Mountaineers, which ran out the clock.

West Virginia became bowl eligible for the 11th consecutive season with the victory. Iowa State will await its third bowl bid in Coach Paul Rhoads’ four seasons.

Sports, Pages 27 on 11/24/2012

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