Tag: Cyclones

Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Carson Hansen (26) scores a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the second quarter during the Pop Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

No. 18 Iowa State clips No. 13 Miami for first 11-win season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rocco Becht scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak on fourth down with 56 seconds left and No. 18 Iowa State edged No. 13 Miami 42-41 on Saturday in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Orlando, Fla.

Becht also passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns as the Cyclones (11-3) overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half to secure their first 11-win season in school history.

The Hurricanes (10-3), who lost for the third time in four games after starting the season with a 9-0 record, rushed for 308 yards – most in school history in a bowl game. However, they had virtually no passing attack in the second half with backup Emory Williams under center.

Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns for Miami. The first TD was the 156th of his career, breaking the Division I (FBS and FCS) record he shared with Houston’s Case Keenum (2007-11) – before sitting out the second half of his last college game.

Williams, who was intercepted on the final play of the game, finished 5-for-14 passing for 26 yards. He was 3-for-8 for 20 yards when the Hurricanes got the ball back one final time at their own 20 with 47 seconds left.

Both offenses combined to deliver an electric first half that featured 59 points and 625 total yards.

After the Hurricanes fumbled the ball away on an errant snap on the game’s first play, the teams scored touchdowns on eight consecutive possessions, starting with Becht’s 9-yard throw to tight end Gabe Burkle on third-and-goal.

Damien Martinez raced 75 yards to the end zone on Miami’s second offensive play, and Carson Hansen answered with a 30-yard rushing touchdown. Ward knotted the score again with a 4-yard pass to Jacolby George.

Becht, a Tampa area native, and Jaylin Noel connected for a 49-yard completion to the 1 and Hansen charged in the next play for a 21-14 lead with 2:23 left in the first quarter.

The onslaught continued with three more touchdowns in the next eight minutes.

Ward threw a 40-yard score to Joshisa Trader, Hansen caught a 13-yard pass from Becht for his third touchdown, and Ward hit Elijah Arroyo for a 33-yard score. Andy Borregales kicked a 30-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in the half for a 31-28 Hurricanes lead.

Miami went up by 10 on Mark Fletcher Jr.’s 1-yard touchdown run with 8:09 left in the third quarter. Iowa State answered with Becht’s third TD pass, a 4-yarder to Noel, the ensuing drive.

Borregales knocked in a 21-yarder to put the Hurricanes up 41-35 with 9:40 remaining in the game.

–Field Level Media

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) reacts after made a first down against UCF during the first quarter in the week-8 NCAA football at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

Texas Tech tries to contain Rocco Becht, No. 11 Iowa State

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Texas Tech started its Big 12 Conference schedule strong, winning three straight, but now head to Ames, Iowa, on a two-game losing streak to face No. 11 Iowa State.

While Iowa State (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) was on a bye week, the Red Raiders (5-3, 3-2) lost a heartbreaker to TCU 35-34, giving up 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to fall to sixth in the conference.

In its past two losses, Texas Tech allowed 94 points to its opponent, forcing head coach Joey McGuire to challenge his defense.

“We’ve got to continue to play better on defense,” McGuire said. “I felt like we got out tackled in space the last two games with Baylor and TCU, those are things we’re going to challenge the guys at.”

A hurdle Texas Tech was able to jump was the loss of quarterback Behren Morton, who left at halftime after injuring his non-throwing left shoulder. True freshman Will Hammond stepped up to both throw and rush for a touchdown, throwing for 121 yards on 10-for-15 passing without an interception.

“I’ve just been so impressed with the young man who’s their quarterback he goes out,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said. “And at halftime, the first drive I think he’s 9-for-9 right down the field for a touchdown. This young freshman comes in, I think it shows how well dedicated they are at teaching their system.”

McGuire didn’t rule Morton out of Saturday’s game, saying that anyone questionable on the injury report will be ready to play. Practice this week will determine if Morton starts over Hammond.

Iowa State has its own impressive quarterback in Rocco Becht, who led the Cyclones over UCF 38-35 on Oct. 19. With 30 seconds remaining, Becht scored on a 1-yard run to cap a 11-play, 80-yard drive where the sophomore quarterback either ran or passed on every play. The drive only lasted 78 seconds.

“He’s got a quarterback that’s playing at high level. They’ve got two NFL receivers. They’ve got three running backs that they rotate,” McGuire said about Iowa State’s offensive threats.

Adding to that group is the potential return of tight end Ben Brahmer, who left in the second quarter of the win over UCF. Brahmer averages 17.9 yards per catch and is important in Iowa State’s balanced rushing attack, providing blocking for the trio of Cyclones running backs.

Iowa State may get others back who were able to recover during the bye week, putting the team in the best spot it has been health-wise since September.

“A week off was such a pivotal time for our football team,” Campbell said. “We’ll probably be as close to as strong as we’ve been since probably the Arkansas State game (on Sept. 21).”

An Iowa State win would secure its best start to a season, eclipsing a 7-0 start in 1938. It also would keep Iowa State atop the Big 12 standings, tied with No. 9 BYU, which is idle this week.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) runs with the ball as Houston Cougars defensive back Kentrell Webb (8) attempts to make a tackle during the first half at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

No. 18 Iowa State stifles Houston in shutout win

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Rocco Becht completed 17 of 28 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown, and No. 18 Iowa State earned a shutout on the road with a 20-0 win over Houston on Saturday night.

Abu Sama III finished with 11 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown for Iowa State (4-0). The Cyclones’ defense limited the Cougars to 241 total yards and stopped nine of 10 third-down attempts.

Stacy Sneed had 10 carries for 79 yards to lead Houston (1-4). Cougars quarterback Donovan Smith completed 8 of 12 passes for 71 yards and an interception.

The Cyclones finished with a 34:55 to 25:05 advantage in time of possession. They also had three penalties for 20 yards, compared with seven penalties for 77 yards for Houston.

Iowa State took a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Kyle Konrardy made a 23-yard field goal to finish an 11-play, 65-yard drive.

The next eight possessions of the first half — four for Houston and four for Iowa State — each ended with punts. The Cyclones held on to a three-point lead at the break.

Iowa State finally scored the first touchdown of the game with 2:12 left in the third quarter. Becht connected with Jayden Higgins on a back-shoulder throw for a 12-yard touchdown.

The play marked Higgins’ fourth touchdown in as many games this season. He has 10 receiving touchdowns in one-plus seasons with Iowa State after notching 13 touchdown receptions in his first two seasons with Eastern Kentucky.

Konrardy struck again, this time from 34 yards, to increase the Cyclones’ lead to 13-0 with 11:39 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Sama finished the scoring with a 77-yard rushing touchdown with 5:39 to go.

The sophomore running back from Des Moines, Iowa, took a handoff and sprinted up the middle into heavy traffic, and it appeared that he might be stuffed for a short gain. But none of the Houston defenders brought him down, and Sama III broke loose for a sprint into the open field for his first touchdown of the season.

–Field Level Media

Iowa State’s Rocco Becht (3) hands off the ball to Abu Sama III (24) against Iowa during the CyHawk game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Last-second field goal lifts Iowa State over No. 21 Iowa

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Kyle Konrardy converted a 54-yard field goal Saturday with six seconds left, capping an Iowa State comeback from a 13-point halftime deficit as it defeated in-state rival No. 21 Iowa 20-19 in Iowa City.

The Cyclones (2-0) drove 42 yards in five plays after taking possession at their 22 with 34 seconds left. The big play was Rocco Becht’s 30-yard completion to Jaylin Noel that got Iowa State to the Hawkeyes’ 38. Two plays later, Konrardy hit the game-winner.

Becht was 23 of 35 for 272 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Noel caught five passes for 133 yards as the Cyclones outgained Iowa (1-1) 361-303.

Kaleb Johnson starred in defeat for the Hawkeyes, rushing for 187 yards and both of Iowa’s touchdowns on 25 carries. Quarterback Cade McNamara hit just 13 of 29 passes for 99 yards and tossed two interceptions.

Konrardy also hit a 46-yard field goal with 11:32 remaining to pull Iowa State within 19-17, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

Iowa controlled the first half, allowing no first downs and only 18 total yards in the first quarter while controlling the ball behind Johnson’s big runs.

The Hawkeyes initiated scoring on their second possession, cashing in a 43-yard field after a short jump. Johnson covered the final 27 yards for a 7-0 lead at the 6:29 mark of the first quarter.

Iowa nudged the lead to 13-0 at halftime as Drew Stevens converted second-quarter field goals of 23 and 21 yards. The Hawkeyes failed to get six points on the first field goals after getting possession at the Iowa State 12, then drove 77 yards before the next scoring drive stalled out at the 4.

Trailing 13-0 at halftime, the Cyclones cranked up their offense in the second half. Becht got them on the board via a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins, then answered Johnson’s 3-yard scoring jaunt by connecting with Noel for a 75-yard touchdown at the 4:31 mark of the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Iowa State’s linebacker Caleb Bacon talks to media during the university football media day at Jack Trice Stadium on Friday, August 2, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State LB Caleb Bacon (leg) out indefinitely

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Iowa State linebacker Caleb Bacon underwent surgery Sunday after suffering an injury to his lower left leg in the Cyclones’ season opener.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said Monday that Bacon could “have the opportunity” to return later this year.

Bacon sustained the injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s 21-3 win over North Dakota. A redshirt junior and former walk-on, Bacon had 60 tackles (6.5 for loss) and three sacks last season.

“I do think he’ll be back at some point later this season, or have the opportunity to get back later in the season, based on recovery,” Campbell said. “Obviously, that’s a tough blow for Caleb, just because he’s done such a great job, but the great news is from what it could have been and what it was, there’s a lot of positivity around it, too.”

Iowa State’s next game is the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game, Saturday on the road against No. 21 Iowa.

–Field Level Media

Memphis' Demeer Blankumsee (0) catches a pass for a touchdown in the opening drive during the game between the University of Memphis and Iowa State University in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Dec. 29, 2023.

Strong passing attack lifts Memphis over Iowa State in Liberty Bowl

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Seth Henigan passed for four touchdowns and ran for another to lead Memphis to a 36-26 victory over Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.

Henigan completed 24 of 34 passes for 364 yards with no interceptions against an Iowa State defense that had 16 picks during the regular season. Blake Watson rushed for 107 yards on 15 carries and Roc Taylor had eight catches for 102 yards for Memphis (10-3).

Henigan hit Sutton Smith for a 48-yard touchdown to put Memphis up 36-13 midway through the third quarter. Rocco Becht answered with a 15-yard scoring strike to Easton Dean to bring the Cyclones within 36-20.

Becht hit Jaylin Noel with a 23-yard scoring pass with 9:55 left, but the two-point pass failed, leaving Memphis up by 10.

Becht, the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, completed 22 of 38 passes for 446 yards with three touchdowns for Iowa State (7-6). The Cyclones were held to 0 yards rushing on 20 attempts.

Henigan completed two long touchdown passes and ran for another score to put the Tigers up 19-0 after one quarter.

Memphis struck quickly when Henigan connected with Demeer Blankumsee on a 70-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the game. The PAT was missed.

The Tigers made it 13-0 on their second possession, converting a fourth-and-1 to set up Henigan’s 11-yard touchdown scramble on the following play.

On Memphis’ next possession, Henigan capped a four-play, 84-yard drive with a 51-yard scoring strike to Joe Scates.

The Cyclones got on the board early in the second quarter when Becht hit Jayden Higgins with a 29-yard scoring pass to make it 19-7.

Iowa State pulled within 19-10 when Becht connected again with Higgins for 53 yards to set up Chase Contreraz’s 22-yard field goal.

Contreraz added a 39-yard field goal with 35 seconds left in the half to make it 19-13. But the Tigers went 44 yards in four plays and Tanner Gillis hit a 49-yarder on the final play for a 22-13 halftime lead.

Watson’s 55-yard run to the Cyclones’ 5-yard line on Memphis’ first series of the second half set up Henigan’s short scoring pass to Anthony Landphere to put the Tigers in front 29-13.

–Field Level Media

Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs for a touchdown against Iowa State during the first quarter at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.

Kansas builds big lead, holds on at Iowa State

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Jason Bean was 14 of 23 for 287 yards as No. 21 Kansas hung on to defeat Iowa State 28-21 Saturday night in Ames, Iowa. Bean found Lawrence Arnold for an 80-yard score midway through the fourth quarter to ice the victory.

The Jayhawks (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) moved into a five-way tie for second place in the Big 12.

Rocco Becht was 20-for-26 with a key interception for Iowa State (5-4, 4-2).

Devin Neal scored a 1-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the second half to give Kansas a 21-3 lead, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive.

Eli Sanders finally scored the Cyclones’ first touchdown with 3:26 left in the third quarter. He ran around the right corner from 6 yards out. He then ran almost the identical play for a 2-point conversion, trimming the deficit to 21-11.

Iowa State forced Kansas to punt and then went 90 yards in 12 plays. Becht ran it in from the KU 2-yard line with 8:09 remaining.

But on the first play of the ensuing drive, Bean found Arnold behind the ISU secondary for an 80-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-18.

Chase Contreraz trimmed it to 28-21 with a 29-yard field goal with 4:53 left, but Kansas did not give up the ball again.

After forcing a three-and-out on Iowa State’s first possession, Kansas marched 87 yards on nine plays to take a 7-0 lead. Bean found Arnold for a first down on fourth-and-10 to keep the drive alive. Neal punched it in from the 6-yard line for the score.

In the second quarter, Ra’Mello Dotson picked off Becht at the 50 and raced untouched to the end zone. It was Dotson’s second pick-6 in as many games, and it gave Kansas a 14-0 lead.

Contreraz hit a 35-yard field goal for Iowa State with three seconds left in the half to prevent the Cyclones from going scoreless in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State trending upward ahead of visit to Baylor

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Prior to its bye last weekend, Iowa State displayed a stifling defense and added two more interceptions to its total while climbing into a tie for second place in the Big 12 Conference.

The Cyclones hope to continue their effective defense and keep pace in the league race Saturday afternoon when they visit Baylor in Waco, Texas.

Iowa State (4-3, 3-1 Big 12) begins this week tied with Texas, Oklahoma State and Kansas State and one game behind unbeaten No. 6 Oklahoma.

Since a 30-point loss to those Sooners on Sept. 30, Iowa State has earned wins over TCU and Cincinnati with the help of six interceptions. Iowa State’s 12 picks are tied with Oklahoma for the most in the league, including a pair in a 30-10 win at Cincinnati on Oct. 14.

“We’re starting to mature,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “We’re starting to play games in the style that we need to play to win football games.”

Besides seeing a defense constantly getting in the passing lanes, Iowa State is starting to see continued development from Rocco Becht. Becht threw touchdowns to Benjamin Brahmer and Stevo Klotz and also ran for a score against the Bearcats.

Baylor (3-4, 2-2) bounced back from its 39-14 home loss to Texas Tech on Oct. 7 by holding on for a 32-29 win at Cincinnati last weekend.

Isaiah Hankins made four field goals — all from at least 43 yards — while Blake Shapen threw for 316 yards behind a retooled offensive line after being sacked six times against Texas Tech.

Baylor was outscored 15-3 in the fourth quarter and nearly blew a 29-14 lead before getting two defensive stops in the final 90 seconds. The Bears also allowed 288 yards on the ground and are allowing a league-worst 199.1 rushing yards per contest.

“The run game is kind of a gut punch. I feel that pretty strong right now,” Baylor coach Dave Aranda said. “For us to have success, for the rest of the time we’ve got this year, we’ve got to stop the run and do it at a better clip than any form or fashion today. That’s a challenge for us.”

–Field Level Media

Isaiah Lee stands for a photo during Iowa State Football media day at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.

DL Isaiah Lee leaves Iowa State after charge in betting probe

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Isaiah Lee has left the Iowa State football program after being charged in a student-athlete gambling probe last week, the school confirmed to multiple media outlets Monday.

A defensive lineman who played in 12 games for the Cyclones last season, Lee was charged with tampering with records in an effort to place sports wagers online without being identified, according to the latest criminal complaint in the state of Iowa’s probe.

Lee is accused of betting on 12 Iowa State football games. He allegedly placed a moneyline bet on Texas to beat Iowa State when the Big 12 programs played in 2021; Iowa State won the game.

Lee is one of seven current or former Iowa State football players facing charges thus far, a group that includes last year’s starting quarterback and running back, Hunter Dekkers and Jirehl Brock.

Lee, who’s alleged to have placed 115 total bets for more than $885, is the second player to leave the Cyclones’ football program over the scandal, following offensive lineman Dodge Sauser.

–Field Level Media

Iowa State football head coach Matt Campbell (22) celebrates with running back Deon Silas (22) after a touchdown against Southeast Missouri State during the fourth quarter in the season opening home game at Jack Trice Stadium Saturday, Sep. 3, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State seeks first win over Iowa with Matt Campbell at helm

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Iowa State travels east on Saturday looking for its first win over the host Iowa Hawkeyes since Matt Campbell took over as Cyclones head coach for the 2016 season.

Could this be the year? Iowa State (1-0) opened its season last week by pulling away from a 21-10 halftime lead to throttle visiting Southeast Missouri State 42-10.

Iowa (1-0) had a decidedly more difficult time in Iowa City, with the defense (two safeties) outscoring the offense (one field goal), but still beating perennial FCS power South Dakota State 7-3 last Saturday.

Perhaps it’s not such a surprise that one of the questions for Campbell at his weekly press conference was about Iowa’s punter, Tory Taylor, who averaged 47.9 yards on 10 punts.

“He’s an outstanding player. … Talk about the ability to change field position,” Campbell said. “They’re also really good in their coverage units. They also have 10 other guys who do a great job around him.”

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said he was impressed with Iowa State’s Hunter Dekkers, a first-year starter at quarterback. Dekkers completed 25 of 31 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in the season opener.

“He really looked poised. Made good throws the other day, and they hit some big plays,” Ferentz said. “They’ve got a good group of receivers. Tough to defend. But the biggest thing, he just looked like he was totally under control … and he can pull it down and run it, too.”

Eight of Dekkers’ completions, and three of his touchdowns, went to wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson.

“He’s a really good football player, and then on top of it they do a really good job of moving him around, so he’s not always in plays,” Ferentz said. “You don’t know where he’s going to show up, and they did a nice job the other day of getting a personnel mismatch and they made the opponent pay for it.”

Iowa starting quarterback Spencer Petras completed only 11 of 25 passes for 109 yards last Saturday, and Ferentz fell far short of endorsing him as the long-term starter over junior Alex Padilla.

“Our intention right now is to go out and play, and we’ll evaluate everything as it comes,” Ferentz said.

The sputtering offense drew some boos from the home crowd over the weekend.

“Everybody on the team is human, so I’m sure they hear it,” Ferentz said of his players. “I’m going to say it’s unfortunate, but it’s just — it is what it is. It’s sports and that’s the world we live in today.”

Campbell said Iowa’s absences on offense make it difficult to know what to expect this weekend.

“First games are first games, so it’s really hard to evaluate, especially when you have a lot of guys out, but I think there’s a lot of impressive pieces with that,” he said.

–Field Level Media