Rocco Becht is leading Iowa State football, even when it isn't easy

AMES – Rocco Becht probably would have preferred to spend the evening hurling the ball all over the field from a clean pocket. The Iowa State football quarterback probably would have liked to have completed 70% of his passes for 350 yards and a couple of touchdowns en route to an easy, quiet victory.

That's how he would have liked to put it.

However, this being football, the clean and easy route is not always the successful route.

So Becht had to do it differently.

“Whatever I have to do to get the win,” Becht said, “I will do it.”

More: Hines: Iowa State football remains perfect with an exciting win against UCF

Becht put together one of the most impressive performances of his career on one of his worst nights throwing the ball in his career. That is, when the most direct path to victory was blocked, Becht found another way.

He ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns. He made incredible plays in crucial moments. That left his 20-of-46 record with two interceptions (both essentially pick-sixes) as a footnote in the Cyclones' 38-35 victory Saturday over UCF, which remained a perfect 7-0.

When things were ugly, Becht's ability to win came through.

“There was another guy here who had similar qualities,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said, referring to the program’s winningest quarterback, Brock Purdy. “The reality is that you have to be mentally strong. The quarterback position – no one can tell me there is another position in sports that is more difficult to play than this.

“It’s a great testament to him. As a quarterback, you're not always going to win by throwing the football. Sometimes you have to use your feet, extend plays and put your team in a good position.”

Becht simply wasn't at his best against the Knights. His throws missed the target. His feet seemed comfortable in the pocket. One interception was returned for a touchdown. It should have been next, but UCF defender Braedan Marshall inexplicably dropped the ball at the 1-yard line (the Knights scored on the next play).

More: Iowa State football recovers from a 14-point deficit against UCF to remain undefeated

That probably should have put Becht in shutdown mode. Play it safe. Come to the bye week. Live to fight another day.

Yeah right.

Instead, it seemed to bring out the best in Becht.

He fought for meters. He tried to keep the plays alive.

“He looked like Mike Vick out there,” wideout Jaylin Noel said.

More: Hines: Iowa State football remains perfect with an exciting win against UCF

When Becht took a fourth-and-3 at the UCF 18, it looked like his helmet was going to be ripped off with his head inside when a UCF defender exposed himself. But instead he dropped the sack, ran to the sideline and threw a first-down throw to Jayden Higgins.

“This is the best game I’ve seen in this stadium since I’ve been here,” Campbell said.

The Cyclones scored on that drive, getting a three-pointer from UCF and getting the ball back.

Becht picked up a fourth down with his feet. Then, on third-and-9, he dropped another potential sack, darting 26 yards down the field to running back Abu Sama.

Three plays later, Iowa State scored again.

“These are championship games,” Campbell said. “It's at stake. Whatever the game was, it's not perfect and you have to extend the game, use your feet and put the team in the best situation to move forward.

“In both plays Rocco did it and I think it says everything about who he is and what his character is.”

Becht finished 20 of 46 (43.5%) for 274 yards, one touchdown and two picks. This stat line should belong to the losing quarterback. Not the guy who was perhaps most responsible for the victory.

Actually, it boils down to one single truth about Becht.

“When we needed it, he put everything on the line,” Noel said. “He did everything he could to help this team win tonight.”

Becht is not the perfect quarterback. He doesn't have a big size. He has no canon. Despite Noel's observation, he is not a great runner.

But he is a gamer. A winner. A guy who will look for any path to victory and take it, no matter how bloody and bruised he will be on the other side.

More: Iowa State football's Jontez Williams wins game against UCF with interception, his fourth in a row

“When you see a guy like that putting his heart on the line,” Noel said, “it just makes us want to do the same thing.”

Iowa State is not an incredibly talented football team. The Cyclones are not overwhelming with their size and speed.

They win by pushing their players to play their best on every down every week. Not doing what is easy or easy, but doing what is necessary to win.

When the quarterback can exemplify that, you have something special.

Which, of course, the Cyclones succeed in achieving the best start in program history. We have an upcoming football month with the highest stakes Iowa State football has ever had.

Who knows how it will turn out, but I imagine the Cyclones will do whatever it takes with Becht at the helm.

Iowa State columnist Travis Hines has covered the Cyclones for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune since 2012. Contact him at [email protected] or (515) 284-8000. FFollow him on X at @TravisHines21.

Rocco Becht is leading Iowa State football, even when it isn't easy

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