No. 18 Iowa State took down Houston 20-0 Saturday to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2000.
Here are some takeaways from the game, in quick hit form.
Rocco Becht had some misfires early.
The sophomore quarterback was 4/9 in the first quarter and just missed a touchdown ball to tight end Tripp Walsh on Iowa State’s first drive of the game.
The slow start extended to the entirety of the offense, and Iowa State went into the halftime break with a slim 3-0 lead.
If a slow start happens again against Baylor, it may be time for concern, but ultimately the Cyclones escape Houston with a 4-0 record – a big, big win.
Three running backs played substantial snaps for Iowa State in this one.
In the first seven plays, each of the trio took handoffs in a drive that went down the field.
Carson Hansen lived up to his “receiving back” label, and both Abu Sama & Jaylon Jackson rattled off big runs that helped put this game away. It’s evident the Cyclones are rolling with three running backs for the time being, and it’s working.
Iowa State’s already thin group at linebacker got thinner on Saturday. John Klosterman was injured with an apparent leg injury during the first quarter and never returned to the game. He had been backing up Jacob Ellis at the Sam linebacker spot.
Jayden Higgins picked up a touchdown reception for a program-record sixth straight game.
At times during Saturday’s game, Higgins felt like a cheat code for the Iowa State offense. The talented wideout looked as good as he has all year, catching eight passes for 79 yards. Iowa State fans are watching a NFL talent in No. 9
Malik Verdon iced the game with that forced fumble.
Say what you will – Houston wasn’t going to score in this game. As bad as the Iowa State offense looked in the first half, the defense shined in certain occasions. Not long before the fumble, Houston elected to punt while facing a 4th and 11 on the Iowa State 39. Even when the Cougars were the closest they had been to the end zone, Jontez Williams picked off a pass. Give Verdon a game ball – that pushed the Cyclones over the edge.
Lastly, Matt Campbell becomes the winningest coach in Iowa State history.
Campbell’s 57th win comes as the Cyclones move to 4-0 for the first time since he took over as head coach. In his ninth season, Campbell and Co. continue to hit achievements and have a great thing cooking in Ames right now. For this group, bring on Baylor.
