Regardless of any perceived talent edge, rivalry games rarely go as expected. In this year’s Cy-Hawk showdown, Iowa controlled the tempo, especially in the second half, stringing together long, methodical drives that kept the ball out of No. 16 Iowa State’s hands. At one point in the second half, Iowa asserted its dominance on the ground with 12 consecutive run plays. Meanwhile, Iowa State struggled to push the ball downfield, limiting quarterback Rocco Becht to just 134 passing yards. Yet, the Cyclones still managed to find a way to win.
After dropping six straight Cy-Hawk rivalry games, Iowa State finally broke through with a 16-13 win, improving to 3-0 on the season. It was a gritty, momentum-shifting victory that could set the tone for the Cyclones heading back into Big 12 play. Here are the top three takeaways following Iowa State’s win over the Hawkeyes.
Mistakes Allow Iowa to Hang Around in First Half
Despite throwing for just 48 yards and tossing an interception in the first half, Iowa managed to hang around, trailing just 13-10 at the break. Iowa State’s miscues played a major role, including a costly special teams turnover and five penalties, two of which were especially damaging. A holding call followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave Iowa a first-and-goal opportunity, which the Hawkeyes turned into a touchdown to close the half.
If Iowa State hopes to climb back to the top of the Big 12, those kinds of mistakes must be cleaned up. The Cyclones also need to be more aggressive vertically, as Rocco Becht finished the half with just 61 passing yards, more than half of which came on a single 35-yard strike to Brett Eskildsen.
Becht’s Clutch Gene on Full Display Again
Although Becht struggled to find a rhythm for much of the game, he delivered when it mattered most, showing the poise of a seasoned veteran. Iowa State went 5-1 in one-score games last season, and we’ve already seen Becht engineer a game-sealing drive in the Week 0 win over Kansas State. He marched the Cyclones down the field and into field goal range, setting up a go-ahead 16-13 lead with 1:52 remaining, ultimately sealing the win.
Once again, Becht proved he’s more than capable of closing out tight games under pressure. His ability to execute in crunch time continues to be a major asset for this team. If Iowa State is going to contend in a deep and unpredictable Big 12, Becht’s clutch gene may be the difference in getting them over the top.
Iowa State’s Pass Rush Delivers When It Matters Most
After struggling to generate consistent pressure for most of the game, Iowa State’s pass rush came alive when it mattered most. Back-to-back sacks on Iowa’s final drive clinched the victory for the Cyclones, slamming the door on any hopes of a late Hawkeyes comeback. It was a clutch defensive stand that capped off a gritty performance and highlighted the Cyclones’ ability to finish in tight games. Iowa State’s skill to win ugly shows its legitimacy. Even when things aren’t clicking, the Cyclones find ways to capitalize, and that kind of toughness could carry them deep into Big 12 play.
