​AMES — Kyle Konrardy wins another one for Iowa State. The junior kicker connected from 34 yards as time expired to give the Cyclones a wild 51-49 victory over Oklahoma State at Jack Trice Stadium on Oct. 31. It was a night of tricks for anyone who appreciates defense, but full of treats for the offensively inclined on Halloween. Both teams eclipsed the 500-yard mark of total offense with neither defense able to do much to slow the opposition. It wasn’t a perfect evening by Iowa State, but the Cyclones repeatedly made their own luck and took advantage of Oklahoma State’s miscues.  The Cowboys went up in the final minute, but an unsportsmanlike penalty after the play and enforced on the ensuing kickoff gave Iowa State a short field and huge chance. The Cyclones made the most of it, moving quickly into range for the big-booted Konrardy, who chipped it in to give Iowa State its second Big 12 victory. It was a massive win for an Iowa State team that was reeling after back-to-back losses in which it failed to truly be competitive against BYU and Arizona. Against a Cowboys team that similarly had to reboot its roster in the offseason, the Cyclones responded to the adversity in a major way. On the verge of a third straight loss, Iowa State instead resuscitated its bowl hopes heading into the final month of the season. Playing like an underdog Iowa State’s offensive explosion was probably the most dramatic development of the day, but I thought the most refreshing aspect of the evening was what felt like a shift in approach and attitude from the Cyclones. They played like underdogs with nothing to lose. Iowa State’s play had a looser, more aggressive edge to it than I think we saw in losses at BYU and Arizona. In those games, the Cyclones seemed tight and unable to generate much in the way of energy or momentum. Against the Cowboys, the Cyclones played on the attack, and it allowed them to both create and capitalize on opportunities. Iowa State went for it on 4th down on its own 34. The Cyclones uncorked a surprise onside kick. They called two halfback passes (though this time Aiden Flora was unable to get the ball away either time). They fooled Oklahoma State by feigning an at-the-line audible only to snap the ball and catch the Cowboys napping for a huge gain. They, to a degree, threw caution to the wind. Against Oklahoma State’s high-octane offense, it was clear Iowa State felt it needed something to tilt the game in its direction, and the decision to try to maximize and steal possessions was a hugely effective equalizer. The defense struggles  As impressive and needed as Iowa State’s offensive surge was, the Cyclones’ defense continues to fall well short of its own aspirations. The Cowboys undoubtedly have one of the most electric offenses in the country and Drew Mestemaker is in line to be the top quarterback taken in the draft, but even graded on that curve, Iowa State’s defense failed its test Saturday. Oklahoma State t