AMES — He galloped for a handful of key this-down conversions. And he stutter-stepped and stiff-armed his way to a few fourth-down conversions. Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht exhibited an ability to run the football at a level that likely surprised a lot of Cyclones fans — and each carry loomed large in Saturday’s tense, but thrilling 38-35 win over UCF at a sold-out Jack Trice Stadium.
“We had a few QB-designed runs but not all of those rushing yards were QB-designed,” said Becht, who rushed for a career-high 97 yards and the game-winning touchdown to send ISU (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) into its second bye week still tied atop the league standings. “So I just kind of let (loose) and played the game and played it like backyard football. It eventually did help us out on third downs and fourth downs and as long as it helps the team out, and keep moving he ball, I’ll keep doing it.”
Becht’s quick-cutting ability — whether designed or improvised — adds a new and necessary wrinkle to the Cyclones’ offense, which totaled a season-high 530 yards. ISU also overcame a slew of miscues, including two costly interceptions by Becht that turned into eventual touchdowns. The Cyclones’ defense gave up 354 rushing yards — the most in a win since at least 1996. So these are heady times for ISU, which danced on the razor’s edge of defeat all night before making all the critical plays needed in the final four minutes.
“Our seniors have powerful stories,” said Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell, whose team is 7-0 for the second time in program history — and the first time in 86 years. “And their stories are of resolve, toughness and character. When that group has a powerful story to tell and they demand a standard of excellence in the program, then you get what you saw tonight, and that’s a really courageous football team.”
It’s also a banged-up football team, so ISU’s second and last bye week of the season comes at a good time. Standout sophomore tight end Ben Brahmer left the game after sustaining a lower-body injury and stood on crutches on the sideline in the second half. The Cyclones have played 11 different linebackers because of injury and several other key players are dealing with minor physical ailments that have limited their productivity.
“I think a lot of (Brahmer’s situation) was precautionary, which I think, hopefully, we dodged a bullet,” Campbell said. “Obviously Ben’s critical to our football team and a huge piece of it, but I think some of those guys stepped up and played really good tonight, but I don’t think it’s serious.”
So what is serious? ISU’s ongoing Big 12 title hopes. The Cyclones are tied with BYU at 4-0 in league play and will face Texas Tech (5-2, 3-1) coming off the bye week. The Red Raiders fell for the first time in conference play on Saturday against Baylor.
“If we want to be a great team at the end of the season, (we) have to get better,” Campbell said. “You can’t give up 300 yards rushing. You can’t throw two pick-sixes. Those things aren’t what champions do, but you’re ability to respond to it’s awesome. Now come back and practice and continue to get ourselves better — those are things that are gonna be fun to watch this team keep growing.”
That’s true for everyone on ISU’s roster, and it’s particularly true for Becht, who threw those aforementioned two pick-sixes (though one was ruled down at the Cyclones’ one-yard line). Backyard football can take center stage when a team’s trust and belief form a bulwark against adversity. No game is out of reach, but no game is a gimme, either. That’s where the “resolve, toughness, and character” Campbell spoke of comes in, and so far, it’s carried ISU to dizzying heights.
“I think mental toughness is my superpower,” said Becht, who threw for 270 yards in the win. “I think that’s my biggest strength that I have and that just comes with reps in practice and the way I grew up.”