Iowa State

Five Takeaways: Iowa State barely survives scare against Arkansas State

Don Watz

Sometimes, you just have to find a way to win. For No. 14 Iowa State, Saturday night in Jonesboro, AR was one of those times. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t dominant, but it was a win. The Cyclones survived a major scare from a fired-up Arkansas State team, escaping with a 24-16 victory to move to 4-0 on the season.

It was a game that felt like a classic “trap game” from the start. Coming off emotional wins, the Cyclones found themselves in a dogfight against a Red Wolves team that played with nothing to lose. For every step forward Iowa State took, it seemed to take another one back with sloppy penalties, special teams miscues, and an opponent that simply wouldn’t go away. But when the clock hit zero, Iowa State had done just enough to keep its perfect record intact.

 

Iowa State Game-Defining Storylines

  1. Surviving the Trap: This had all the makings of a classic letdown game. On the road, against a heavy underdog, and following big wins, Iowa State played with fire but didn’t get burned. It was an ugly win, but surviving these tests is what defines a team’s character.
  2. Rocco Becht’s Resilience: It wasn’t Becht’s sharpest game—he threw his first interception of the season—but when the team needed him most, he delivered. His poise on the go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter and the crucial pass before halftime were the difference. “In the moment, you trust that guy with everything you have because of who he is,” coach Matt Campbell said of his quarterback.
  3. The Ground Game Grinds It Out: When the passing game stalled, the running backs stepped up. Carson Hansen was a workhorse, churning out 116 tough yards on 18 carries. Abu Sama III added another 69 yards and the game-sealing touchdown, proving the Cyclones can win in the trenches when needed.
  4. Special Teams Woes: The Cyclones nearly gave the game away on special teams. A missed extra point, a hooked 48-yard field goal, and a devastating penalty that led to an Arkansas State touchdown kept the game dangerously close. This will be a major point of emphasis moving forward.
  5. Historic Start: Despite the struggles, Iowa State is 4-0 for the second consecutive season. It’s the first time in school history the program has started with four straight wins in back-to-back years. It’s a testament to the team’s ability to win, even when they aren’t at their best.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Iowa State looked like it might run away with things early. dBecht capped an impressive opening drive with a 10-yard keeper for a touchdown. However, a missed extra point by Kyle Konrardy was a sign of the special teams struggles to come, leaving the score at 9-0 after an earlier field goal.

Second Quarter

The game’s momentum flipped dramatically. A costly roughing the punter penalty on backup safety Drew Surges gave Arkansas State new life, and the Red Wolves capitalized with a touchdown to take a shocking 10-9 lead. The tension was palpable. Just before halftime, Becht delivered a strike, hitting Dominic Overby for a 27-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion to running back Carson Hansen sent the Cyclones into the locker room with a shaky 17-10 lead and a collective sigh of relief.

Third Quarter

The third quarter was a tense, scoreless battle. Both defenses stiffened, and neither offense could find its rhythm. Iowa State struggled to pull away, and Arkansas State hung tough, setting the stage for a nail-biting final frame.

Fourth Quarter

The Red Wolves closed the gap to 17-16 with another field goal, and the upset alert was on full blast. Needing a response, Becht led a crucial drive, and running back Abu Sama III punched it in from four yards out to extend the lead to 24-16 with 8:34 remaining. The defense sealed the deal when cornerback Tre Bell snagged a critical interception, and a late 31-yard catch by Carson Brown allowed Iowa State to kneel out the clock on a hard-fought victory.

Statistical Summary

  • Becht (QB, Iowa State): 265 yards passing, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD, 1 INT.
  • Carson Hansen (RB, Iowa State): 18 carries, 116 yards rushing.
  • Abu Sama III (RB, Iowa State): 9 carries, 69 yards rushing, 1 TD.
  • Jaylen Raynor (QB, Arkansas State): 222 yards passing, 83 yards rushing.
  • Clune Van Andel (K, Arkansas State): 3 field goals.

Don recently returned to writing after a hiatus. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the USA Today, Tallahassee Democrat, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Detroit Free Press, and Arizona Republic.

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