Sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy turned in one of the best performances in the history of Iowa State football on Saturday afternoon in the Cyclones’ 72-20 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. Purdy connected on 21 of his 27 passes for 435 yards and three touchdowns, while adding another 75 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
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His 510 yards of total offense set a new school record, as were the team’s 714. Purdy’s six touchdowns also tied the program record.
Brock was Purdy good yesterday 😉😅
The @CycloneFB QB was responsible for a record 6 touchdowns yesterday vs Louisiana Monroe. pic.twitter.com/XJbigYvnFj
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2019
Purdy hails from Gilbert, Ariz., and a family of athletes. Brock’s dad, Shawn, played minor league baseball for eight seasons and joined the Sports Spectrum Podcast in June to talk about his family. Brock’s sister, Whitney, plays softball at Southeastern University, and his brother, Chubba, is a high school quarterback committed to Louisville.
The Purdys are also a family of Christ-followers. Brock and Chubba were featured in the “Heart of an Athlete” section of the Fall 2019 edition of Sports Spectrum Magazine — Brock as the college athlete and Chubba as the high schooler. Brock talked about trying to glorify God in everything he does, including football.
“Every time I play — no matter what happens — I want others to see God through my actions,” Brock said in the magazine. “Every time I step on the field I want to bring Him glory. Even when we lose, I point to God and thank Him for the opportunity. Everything happens for a reason; it’s all a lesson from the Lord. It’s a game, it’s not my life.
“It took me a long time to realize this; I used to put football in front of the Lord. I would pray for Him to keep me safe and give me a good game, but it isn’t about that. Now I pray that I would make the most of the opportunity He’s given me and, win or lose, that I would put Him first.”
Former Iowa State and NFL quarterback Seneca Wallace, a fellow believer, was in attendance for Purdy’s record-breaking performance. Wallace, who’s 493 total yards were tied for the program single-game record until Saturday, was inducted into the Iowa State Athletic Hall of Fame this weekend.
No matter how many more records Purdy might shatter in the future, he wants his faith in Christ to stand out above everything else.
“With all the success I’ve experienced, especially in a college town where football hasn’t been successful in the past, everyone glorifies what I do on the field. I’m challenged to stay humble. When others start hyping me up, I am tempted to think I’m greater than I really am. I need to remember that, just as Christ was, I’m here on earth to serve others, not myself,” Purdy said.
Purdy and the Cyclones open up Big 12 play on the road this Saturday against Baylor at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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