ARLINGTON, Texas – The No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones (10-3, 7-2 Big 12) faced a challenging defeat against No. 15 Arizona State (11-2, 7-2 Big 12) in the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship game on Saturday, with a final score of 45-19.
The game began promisingly for the Cyclones as they scored on their initial two drives. Quarterback Rocco Becht connected with Carson Hansen for a three-yard touchdown on their opening drive, followed by a successful field goal by Kyle Konrardy. However, Iowa State fell behind at halftime, trailing 24-10.
The prospects of a comeback diminished in the third quarter, where the Cyclones struggled significantly. Iowa State turned the ball over on their first three possessions of the second half, which Arizona State capitalized on, scoring touchdowns that extended their lead to 45-10.
Becht completed 21 of 35 passes for 214 yards, contributing two touchdowns to the effort. Notable performances included Jayden Higgins with 115 yards on seven receptions and Jaylin Noel, who gathered five catches for 64 yards and one touchdown.
Arizona State featured a standout performance from Cam Skattebo, who rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to making two receptions for 38 yards and another score. Quarterback Sam Leavitt finished with 12 completions on 17 attempts for 219 yards and three touchdowns.
Despite the loss, Iowa State looks forward to its first 10-win season in program history and is now awaiting news on its bowl game destination. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments by visiting cyclones.com.
This season marks a significant milestone for Iowa State, demonstrating the team’s potential and resilience. The Cyclones have built a strong foundation this year, which bodes well for future competitions.