Rocco Becht throws for a score and runs for a score in Iowa State's 34-17 win over Cincinnati
Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) carries the ball up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
AMES, Iowa — Rocco Becht threw for a score and ran for a score to lead Iowa State to a 34-17 win over Cincinnati on Saturday night.
The Cyclones (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) used a second-half push to help overcome the tenacious Bearcats (5-5, 3-4).
Stevo Klotz caught Becht's only touchdown pass, a 26-yarder that gave Iowa State the lead for good at 17-10 with 10:04 left in the third quarter. Klotz, a senior tight end, has two touchdowns in as many games against Cincinnati.
Becht's rushing touchdown came from a high snap, in which he took it 15 yards to the house to give Iowa State a 27-17 lead with about 4 minutes to play. He finished the game as the leading rusher, as Becht ran for 48 yards on seven attempts.
Carson Hansen ran in a 2-yard score for the Cyclones' first touchdown of the game, his team-high ninth touchdown this season, and Abu Sama III capped the scoring with a 27-yard TD run with 1:09 to play.
Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby had 66 yards on 11-of-19 passing but led the Bearcats with 141 yards rushing on 14 carries with a 41-yard score. Evan Pryor opened the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run.
The Takeaway
Cincinnati: The Bearcats committed a season-high 13 penalties on Saturday, with 11 of those coming against the offense.
Iowa State tight end Gabe Burkle (84) runs from Cincinnati defensive end Darian Varner (24) after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
Iowa State: The Cyclones found a way to score on three of their five second-half possessions, which helped end their two-game skid and kept their slim playoff hopes alive.
It's a Fake!:
With 5:19 left in the third quarter, the Cyclones prepared to punt the ball back to the Bearcats but ran a fake with Klotz, who ran it 22 yards to get Iowa State in range for an eventual field goal.
Up Next
Cincinnati: visits No. 16 Kansas State next Saturday.
Iowa State: visits Utah next Saturday.
