The Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida featured two teams that were one game away from the College Football Playoff. The Big12’s #18 Iowa State Cyclones and the Atlantic Coast Conference’s #13 Miami Hurricanes offered a Top 20 ranked pairing. But for all the novelty that comes with sprinkles painted on the sidelines, an edible mascot, and a trophy that doubles as a toaster to warm Pop-Tarts for the victor, the football game delivered plenty of fireworks in a 42-41 Cyclones shootout win.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell called this a culmination of the team learning lessons throughout the season. “This team has faced a lot of adversity from some really tough injuries that we’ve had to deal with all year, and they have never flinched.”

Miami’s Heisman Trophy Candidate All-American quarterback Cam Ward completed 12 of his 19 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns for the Hurricanes in one half of play. ISU’s Rocco Becht connected on 22 of his 35 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns and fell in for the game-winner on a quarterback sneak that made him the Player of the Game.

On the game’s opening play, Miami attempted a direct snap to running back Damien Martinez that was mishandled. Linebacker Cael Breznia recovered the fumble for the Cyclones on the Miami 22. Becht found tight end Gabe Burkle for the game’s first touchdown on a nine-yard pass to put the Hurricanes in a state of emergency inside of the first four minutes.

From that point on, both sides combined for eight straight touchdown-scoring drives. Ward connected on his touchdowns passing during that time with support from Martinez streaking for a 75-yard score the next offensive play after his fumble. Becht had two touchdown passes with running back Carson Hansen punching in two touchdowns of his own.

Martinez finished with 179 yards on 14 carries before leaving the game with an arm injury in the 4th quarter. Hansen was the Cyclone’s leading rusher with 82 yards on 16 carries as well as a 13-yard touchdown catch.

The play before Miami capped off that eighth scoring drive in the game with a 40-yard bomb to tight end Elijah Arroyo, Iowa State’s leading tackler defensive back Beau Freyler was injured and left the game.

After that with 8:04 left in the half, the Cyclones kicked the game’s first punt but were able to get the ball back when Ta’shawn James recovered the defense’s second fumble of the game. ISU, however, turned the ball over on downs in Hurricane territory.

The Hurricanes then took the ball for their final drive of the first half 55 yards to make it 31-28 on a 30-yard field goal from Andres Borregales.

Miami opened the scoring in the second half with quarterback Emory Williams taking snaps. Mark Fletched Jr. capped off a 70-yard drive bashing in a one-yard touchdown. The Cyclones completed the touchdown trade when Becht took one in on a QB sneak. to make the game 38-35 with 2:20 left in the third quarter.

Miami got a first and goal early in the 4th quarter but was forced to settle for a Borregales field goal from 21 points out to extend the lead 41-35 with 9:40 left in the final quarter.

ISU made it to the red zone with help from wide receiver Jaylin Noel. Noel was a 1,000-yard receiver that many thought would opt out of the game. His impact was huge as the contest’s only receiver more than 100 yards recording 117 yards on eight catches. His 29-yard catch put his squad into position to eventually secure the winning points when Becht scored with 56 seconds left. ISU Drew Surges intercepted Williams on the games final play to close out the contest.

The Cylcone’s defense made Miami a one-dimensional team as the game went on with Williams at quarterback. They were unable to score any points in the game’s final nine minutes despite the Hurricanes setting a school record for rushing as a team in a bowl game with 308 yards.