“I knew I was going to score:” ISU QB Rocco Becht's late touchdown seals 38-35 win over UCF – CycloneFanatic.com

Oct 19, 2024; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) celebrates after scoring late in the game to beat the UCF Knights at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones beat the Knights 38 to 35. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

AMES – Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht Earlier this week, he joked that when he runs the ball, he wants to gain four yards every time.

But on Saturday night against UCF, a one-yard plunge would be enough.

Becht's short run to the end zone with 30 seconds left helped the No. 9 Cyclones to a surprising 38-35 comeback triumph – bringing his team to 7-0 for the first time since 1938.

“I knew I was going to score,” said Becht, whose team is 4-0 in Big 12 Conference play for the first time ever. “There was no doubt. I went in there with everything I had and we had the look we had and (quarterbacks) coach (Jake) Waters told me in the helmet, 'Go get this.' Go win it.' I just took my pads off and did it for this team.”

The 61,500 spectators at Jack Trice Stadium erupted. A 14-point second-half rally was almost complete, and after a successful two-pointer and interception by cornerback Jontez Williams in the final seconds, ISU was able to collectively breathe a sigh of relief — and take stock of the program's best start in the season 133 season to have reached history.

“I think the (team’s) leadership and determination just showed,” Cyclones head coach said Matt Campbellwho watched Becht drive his team 80 yards in 1:18 to win the game. “I don't think there are many words that could put what happened into perspective, but it is a credit to our children to believe in critical moments and implement them. Sometimes a game doesn't go the way you want it to. That certainly wasn’t the case tonight, but I thought our ability to just have determination and kind of persevere — that’s kind of what you had to do.”

ISU trailed 35-27 with 11:38 left after Becht's second interception set up Knights tailback RJ Harvey's one-yard run. But ISU's defense stepped up as Becht got to work. A promising drive failed in the red zone, according to the Cyclones kicker Kyle Konrardy With 8:53 minutes left, he scored a 30-yard field goal to make it 35:30. The defense finally got the stop it needed with 1:48 left when it forced UCF (3-4, 1-3) to punt, setting the stage for Becht's heroics. Then Williams — who intercepted a pass in four straight games — secured the victory and ensured ISU remains tied with BYU at the top of the conference standings.

“I barely heard the crowd,” Williams said. “But I just looked at my teammates and loved those guys. These guys give me all the confidence in the world to go out and play.”

Becht completed 20 of 46 passes for 270 yards – including 226 in the second half. He also rushed 20 times for a career-high 97 yards and two touchdowns. Cyclone jam Carson Hansen ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns before apparently suffering an injury that Campbell doesn't consider serious. ISU receiver Jaylin Noel And Jayden Higgins managed 153 and 58 yards through the air, respectively, and Higgins caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Becht.

The Cyclones — who gave up a whopping 354 rushing yards — outgained the Knights 172 yards to 71 in the fourth quarter to win their eighth straight regular-season game, dating back to last season.

“It literally just comes down to the faith and love we have for each other,” senior captain and defensive tackle said JR Singleton. “(And) not only the trust that we have for each other as players, but (also) the trust and love that we have for the coaches, which I think is really hard to achieve these days because coaches are just trying .” Carry on like the players are just trying to get money. You know, what we have here is special.”

None of this was lost on Becht, who endured his least efficient game as a Cyclone in the passing game but shined with his arms and legs when it mattered most.

“It feels good going into a bye week,” said Becht, whose team is sidelined until a Nov. 2 home game against Texas Tech (5-2, 3-1). “The dynamic is great for us. We needed this win. We needed that tough win, you know, that adversity.”