AMES, Iowa — Rocco Becht played a pivotal role in leading Iowa State to a 34-17 victory against Cincinnati on Saturday night. The Cyclones, now with an 8-2 record and 5-2 in the Big 12, asserted their dominance with a strong showing in the second half, overcoming the determined Bearcats, who fell to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
Becht threw a touchdown pass and also contributed with a rushing score, solidifying his performance. His touchdown pass to Stevo Klotz, a senior tight end, covered 26 yards and set Iowa State ahead 17-10 midway through the third quarter, marking Klotz’s second touchdown in consecutive games against Cincinnati.
The quarterback’s rushing touchdown was particularly exciting, occurring after a high snap that Becht recovered and took 15 yards into the end zone, extending Iowa State’s advantage to 27-17 with just four minutes remaining. Becht not only showcased his passing ability but also emerged as the leading rusher for the Cyclones, accumulating 48 yards on seven carries.
Carson Hansen also made a significant contribution, scoring a 2-yard touchdown for the Cyclones, marking his ninth touchdown of the season and making it the team’s first score in the game. Abu Sama III helped seal the win, securing a 27-yard touchdown run with just over a minute left on the clock.
Cincinnati’s quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, had a modest passing game with 66 yards on 11 completions from 19 attempts but excelled on the ground, leading the Bearcats with 141 rushing yards on 14 carries, including a notable 41-yard touchdown run. Evan Pryor was the one to first get on the scoreboard, finishing a 12-yard rushing play for a touchdown.
The key takeaway for Cincinnati is the high number of penalties, with a total of 13 committed during the game, primarily affecting their offensive execution. Conversely, Iowa State found momentum, scoring on three of their five possessions in the second half, successfully ending a two-game losing streak and keeping their slim playoff aspirations alive.
An interesting moment occurred late in the third quarter when Iowa State opted for a fake punt on a 4th down play. Klotz took the snap and ran 22 yards, allowing the Cyclones to set up for a field goal instead of relinquishing possession to the Bearcats.
Looking ahead, Cincinnati will face No. 16 Kansas State next Saturday, while Iowa State will travel to take on Utah on the same day.