AMES – Iowa State (6-5, 5-3 Big 12) dropped a tight contest to #7 Texas (10-1, 7-1) Saturday night, 26-16, in the final home game of the season for the Cyclones.
Cyclone QB Rocco Becht led the way for Iowa State, passing for 323 yards and two touchdowns. He set a school freshman record of 2,444 yards and 17 touchdowns (Brock Purdy).
Texas led the game, 6-3, at halftime, in a defensive struggle. Penalties cost the Longhorns some big plays.
In the second half as Iowa State attempted to close within a field goal, Texas’ Jordan Austin returned a blocked extra point try by Iowa State for 82 yards and a safety.
Iowa State’s regular season end at Kansas State next Saturday. The Cyclones are bowl eligible.
TEAM NOTES
*Attendance: 61,500 – Iowa State’s third sellout this season at Jack Trice Stadium.
*Iowa State’s attendance mark at Jack Trice Stadium of 60,384 is the second largest in school history.
*Matt Campbell is now 52-47 at Iowa State and 87-62 overall as a head coach.
*Campbell is now 37-34 against league opponents, the most league wins by an ISU coach in school history.
*Iowa State is a perfect 25-for-25 in the red zone during Big 12 play this year and 29-for-31 on the season.
*The Cyclones allowed just five sacks at home this season, tied for the third fewest since 1996. (3 in 2020, 4 in 1998, 5 in 2000) *Iowa State’s four sacks tonight was the most its had in Big 12 play this season.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Rocco Becht
*His 17 passing touchdowns this season are the ninth-most in school history.
*With 17 passing touchdowns this season, he passes Brock Purdy (2018) for the most by a freshman in school history.
*With 323 passing yards, he passed Brock Purdy (2,250 in 2018) for the most passing yards by a freshman in a season with 2,444. *His 66-yard touchdown pass to Easton Dean was the third-longest play against Texas in Iowa State history.
*Threw for 323 yards, the sixth 300-yard passing game against Texas in school history.
Abu Sama
*Moved into ninth in school history for rushing yards by a freshman with 334 this season.
Eli Sanders
*His 14-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter was the first of his career.
Jaylin Noel
*Has caught a pass in 30-straight games, just the fifth player in school history to do so. *Is now tied for seventh in school history with 156 career receptions.
Jayden Higgins
*Tallied 104 yards receiving, the ninth 100-yard receiving game in school history against Texas.
Benjamin Brahmer
*Made his first career start for the Cyclones.
Easton Dean
*His 66-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was the third-longest play against Texas in Iowa State history. *Caught his second touchdown pass of the season and fourth of his career.
Joey Petersen
*Tallied a pair of sacks in the first quarter, more than his 1.5 in his career entering the game.
Gerry Vaughn
*Played in his 61st game as a Cyclone, the third-most in school history.
Will McLaughlin
*Recorded a career-high seven tackles, including five solo stops. *Grabbed his second career fumble recovery.
Caleb Bacon
*Tallied a career-high eight tackles.
Beau Freyler
*Started his 20th-straight game for the Cyclones.
Malik Verdon
*Recorded a career-high 10 tackles.
Jeremiah Cooper
*Forced his first career fumble.
Chase Contreraz
*Made 12-straight field goals before missing in the second quarter, the third-longest streak in school history. *His 19 field goals this season are tied for the third-most in school history.
*Moved into sixth in school history with 86 points kicking this season.
*His nine field goals of 40 or more yards this season are the second-most in school history.
