Iowa State jumped out to a quick double-digit lead and dominated in a 45-13 win over BYU late Saturday night in Provo, Utah.
Rocco Becht passed for 203 yards with two touchdowns to Jaylin Noel (98 yards receiving), and Abu Sama III rushed for 110 yards and two scores as the Cyclones became bowl-eligible with their sixth victory. Eli Sanders (57 yards) and Cartevious Norton (42 yards) had rushing touchdowns.
Iowa State (6-4, 5-2 Big 12 Conference) capitalized on two BYU turnovers for a 10-0 lead 3 1/2 minutes in and never looked back after taking a 31-7 halftime lead. The Cyclones amassed 443 yards and didn’t turn the ball over while winning for the fourth time in five games.
Jake Retzlaff, starting for the second straight week for injured QB Kedon Slovis, completed 10 of 27 passes for 104 yards with two interceptions. BYU (5-5, 2-5) gained only 318 yards in a third straight blowout loss.
The game got off to a disastrous start for the Cougars, who are struggling in their first Big 12 season.
After BYU fumbled and recovered the opening kickoff, Retzlaff threw an interception, which led to a quick 4-yard touchdown pass from Becht to Noel. The Cougars coughed up the ensuing kickoff, leading to Chase Contreraz’s 31-yard field goal.
BYU responded with a 75-yard drive capped by Jojo Phillips’ 5-yard touchdown reception from Retzlaff.
The rest of the first half was as rough as the start for BYU.
The Cyclones struck again three times before halftime. Sanders scored on a 4-yard run, Norton capped an 80-yard drive with an 11-yard rushing touchdown, and Sama made several nifty cuts during a 13-yard touchdown rush.
BYU had only 6 yards passing and 97 yards of offense in the first half compared to ISU’s 235 yards.
The Cougars opened the second half with a successful trick play when receiver Parker Kingston tossed a 26-yard TD to Isaac Rex, who set a BYU record for career touchdowns by a tight end (23).
Iowa State quickly regained momentum when Becht connected with Noel on a 66-yard TD strike. Soon after, Sama broke loose for a 59-yard touchdown for the final score.
–Field Level Media