Five takeaways from Iowa State's win against UCF to improve to 7-0 for the first time ever

AMES — For the first time since Sep. 7 against Iowa, the Cyclones faced a second-half deficit. Just like in Iowa City, late-game heroics lifted Iowa State to a 38-35 win.

Now the Cyclones are 7-0 for the first time in school history. Here are five takeaways from the game: Rocco Becht is rewriting the narrative he is strictly a pocket-passer. Facing multiple third and fourth downs, Becht relied on his legs.



Becht led the Cyclones with 97 rushing yards on 20 attempts. He scored two touchdowns on sneaks and rushed for a critical 2-point conversion to give ISU a three-point lead with 30 second remaining in the game. A football cliché for effective defense is “Bend, but don’t break.

” Saturday, the Cyclones didn’t bend, but UCF broke them twice. ISU dominated time of possession by almost 15 minutes, but UCF gashed the defense on quick hitters. The Knights offense scored 80-yard and 67-yard touchdowns.

Those big plays filled out a run of 21 unanswered points from the start of the second quarter to the start of the third, putting the Cyclones behind. Iowa State defensive lineman J.R.

Singleton reacts after stopping Central Florida before a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. UCF running back RJ Harvey broke an 80-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.

Point to safety Malik Verdon staying with his in-cutting receiver for too long, poor gap discipline from Jacob Ellis on the left side of the play and defensive back Cam Smith taking a faulty angle as reasons for that play. On UCF’s first possession of the second half, quarterback Jacurri Brown ran through the middle of the ISU defense untouched for a 67-yard touchdown. Matt Campbell, when asked earlier this week if he felt confident about stopping UCF’s rushing game, he said he’d find out Saturday.

The Cyclones found out, all right. UCF, the top rushing team in the Big 12, ran for 354 yards against the Cowboys. A thing Campbell pointed out Tuesday is the multiplicity of UCF’s running game.

Saturday, running back RJ Harvey and quarterback Jacurri Brown got in on the action. It was the most rushing yards ISU has allowed in a game this season, with the next most 265 to Baylor. Iowa State won the coin toss and deferred the ball to the second half.

Perhaps Matt Campbell was trying to reverse a pattern that has become a trend: Iowa State takes a drive to settle in. UCF got the ball and drove 75-yards in six plays. Brown punctuated a 12-yard completion and a 46-yard run from Harvey by bowling over ISU defensive back Malik Verdon for a 6-yard score.

Trouble stopping opponents on their first drive is a pattern that can perhaps be upgraded to a trend. Out of the gate two weeks ago, West Virginia scored a touchdown on a 14-play, 75-yard drive. Last week, Baylor scored a touchdown after a nine-play, 84 yard drive.

Carson Hansen is the definitive leader of the Cyclone backfield at this point. Matt Campbell said he determines the pecking order based on production in practice — behind closed doors. When the lights are on, the redshirt sophomore is making his case as well.

Saturday, he carried the ball nine times for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Hansen has scored five touchdowns in the past two games. The problem for ISU occurred when Hansen left the game.

He didn't touch the ball after ISU scored a touchdown midway through the third quarter. Other Cyclone running backs were a step down from Hansen's production. Senior Jaylon Jackson rushed eight times for 15 yards.

Sophomore Abu Sama converted 10 rushes and two receptions into 89 yards. Iowa State defensive lineman J.R.

Singleton reacts after stopping Central Florida before a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. Central Florida quarterback Jacurri Brown warms up before an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock and head coach Matt Campbell arrive with the team before an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel takes a selfie with Blair Walker of Charles City before an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell and Central Florida head coach Gus Malzahn greet at midfield before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, October 19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

Get local news delivered to your inbox!.