DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State’s football team entered the 2011 season picked to finish next-to-last in a league many thought might dissolve. Two months later, the Cyclones were celebrating the biggest win in school history. The victory had a major impact on the BCS national title and topped The Associated Press’ list of 2011 Iowa sports stories to remember. Iowa State’s 37-31 double-overtime win over then-No. 2 Oklahoma State on Nov. 18 was the program’s first over a top-5 team. It clinched a bowl bid for the Cyclones and knocked the Cowboys out of the national title picture.

Other top stories included Cedar Falls freshman Cassy Herkelman becoming the first girl to win a match at the state wrestling tournament and the hospitalization of 13 University of Iowa players with a muscle disorder.