Despite a slow start, No. 17 Texas A&M clutched a 33-17 victory Saturday over the scrappy Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, Iowa.

The first quarter was particularly alarming as the Aggies managed only 3 points against one of the worst defenses in the Big 12. Though A&M came up with an early takeaway – an interception by senior safety Trent Hunter on the Cyclones’ first play from scrimmage – the Aggies high-octane offense sputtered on a short field.

After several offensive miscues in the opening stanza, the A&M offense began to look like its old self in the second quarter. The Aggies pounded the ball and made key throws – specifically touchdown passes to senior receiver Jeff Fuller and junior tight end Michael Lamothe – to put themselves ahead 20-7 at the end of the first half.

The Aggies scored 10 straight, including a 9-yard touchdown scamper by junior running back Christine Michael, to start the second half.  However, the Aggies lulled on both sides of the ball late in the third quarter, allowing Iowa State to score 10 straight points of their own.

Up 30-17 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Aggies opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 within field goal range, resulting in a 2-yard loss by senior running back Cyrus Gray. The Aggie defense stepped up to blank the Cyclones in the final quarter, including a nail-in-the-coffin stop on fourth down.

Even with the periodic offensive lulls, the Aggies pounded the Cyclones with their bread-and-butter rushing attack, earning 247 yards on the ground.  Gray had 21 carries for 127 yards while Michael touched the ball 18 times for 142 yards.

With the victory the Aggies move to 5-2 (3-1 Big 12) and look to stay in the Big 12 title hunt. The Aggies kick off at 11a.m. Saturday against Missouri at Kyle Field.