Nov 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) runs for a touchdown against the Utah Utes during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Iowa State took down Utah 31-28 on Saturday in Salt Lake City to improve to 9-2 on the year and set up a big opportunity next week against Kansas State. Let’s dive into the takeaways.
Overcoming self-inflicted mistakes
Whether it was the muffed punt return, the blocked punt, or the pick six that went off the hands of an Iowa State receiver, it was far from a perfect game.
However, with each hit, the Cyclones took it in stride. That’s a trait required for great teams, and it certainly stuck out Saturday.
Defensive Adjustments
Iowa State’s defense had a number of adjustments to make throughout this one.
Utah tried to keep the ball on the ground, running 17 times with Micah Bernard, who was limited to 42 yards.
Jon Heacock’s group got thrown a curveball later on in the game, with fourth-string quarterback Luke Bottari coming in – and showing off his speed.
Bottari ended with 47 yards on the ground, many of which came on the drive where Utah took a 28-24 lead in the fourth quarter, but the defense came up big when it mattered.
Jayden Higgins seemingly had a big catch at every point Iowa State needed it. The senior ended the game with a team high nine catches, going for 155 yards.
It’s Higgins’ best game of the season so far, coming at maybe the best time it could in the first 11 games.
Despite ending with only two receptions, Gabe Burkle was another integral piece to the Cyclones’ passing attack – and for the second straight week.
They needed every bit of what they got, and more importantly escaped with the win and – nearly – controls it’s own destiny to reach the Big 12 championship game.
Here’s to the biggest Farmageddon game ever, and maybe the biggest game in Jack Trice Stadium history.
And who thought a late-game field goal would bounce Iowa State’s way?
