The Iowa State Cyclones offense has some quality returning talent, but some significant areas to shore up entering the 2025 season.
Here was how the Iowa State offense ranked last season in FBS:
Points per game: 31.1 (Tied for No. 41)
Rushing yards per game: 160.5 (No. 70)
Passing yards per game: 255.7 (No. 39)
Total yards per game: 416.2 (No. 39).
The Cyclones reached the Big 12 championship game for the second time under coach Matt Campbell but fell short to Arizona State. They are contenders to do it again
Here are three offensive players to keep an eye on for the Iowa State Cyclones.
QB Rocco Becht
The son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht picked up his play last season, his second full year in charge of the Cyclones’ offense. With more experience came more responsibility — and bigger numbers.
He wrapped up last season with 3,505 passing yards, with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. While he’s not a dual threat quarterback, he showed a propensity for extending plays once flushed out of the pocket that wasn’t there in 2023.
He was the Pop Tarts Bowl MVP, led the Cyclones to an 11-win season for the first time in program history and was an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection.
The goal now is to finish the job in 2025 and take the Cyclones to that coveted first Big 12 title that eluded them last year.
RB Carson Hansen
The Cyclones had some struggles in their normally potent run game last season. But, by season’s end Hansen was a bona fide star.
He rushed for 752 yards and 13 touchdowns, with eight of those scores coming in eight of his last nine games.
But he never rushed for 100 yards in a game. He came close on a couple of occasions. But he never cleared it. With wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins on the edge, the Cyclones didn’t need that kind of production.
With both in the NFL, Iowa State needs it from Hansen now.
WR Xavier Townsend
With four returning starters on the offensive line, the onus is on the Cyclones to find two new receivers to pick up where Noel and Higgins left off. Both were 1,000-yard receivers a year ago.
Townsend, who transferred in from UCF last season, will probably get first crack at being the top wide receiver.
He redshirted last years, so Cyclones fans didn’t get a chance to see him in their matchup with the Knights in October. He caught 10 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. But there is potential there. In 2023 he played the full season and caught 33 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns.
Can Townsend double that? If he can, then Iowa State could be in great shape.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
