Brett Eskildsen celebrates Iowa State's seniors — and his two touchdowns

AMES — Brett Eskildsen notched his first career-multi touchdown game Saturday against Kansas.

And for his second score, the big-play Iowa State receiver unveiled his, uh, unique take on Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson’s “griddy” celebration.

“I’ve had that one prepared for a little bit now,” said Eskildsen, who helped the Cyclones subdue Kansas, 38-14, Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium. “I just like to have fun with it.”

Why not? Eskildsen upped his haul of touchdown catches this season to five and ISU (6-4, 4-4 Big 12) snapped a three-game skid in the series against the Jayhawks (5-6, 3-5). The Cyclones’ offense rolled all day, scoring on five of its first six possessions, and totaling 30 or more points in a game for the fourth time this season. ISU scored touchdowns on all four of its trips inside the red zone and quarterback Rocco Becht had his best game statistically in at least month.

“I went through a lot in the past six weeks,” said Becht, who threw multiple touchdown passes (three) for the 21st time in his career, but first time in the past five games. “I’ve been through a lot mentally, physically, and honestly I can say I’m still going through it. It’s hard for me to kind of go out there and enjoy the game of football, but with they guys I have around me (who) continue to lift me up, it makes it a lot easier.”

That group of guys includes Eskildsen, who’s averaging 18.9 yards per catch this season. But it’s also a lengthy list that includes fellow receiver Chase Sowell, who made a pair of key third down receptions in Saturday’s triumph.

“I’ve got all the trust in those receivers to go out there and make plays,” Becht said. “Everyone’s not gonna be perfect and I think the biggest thing is continuing to give them chances to succeed, and their confidence will just continue to rise.”

Especially Eskildsen, whose first two-touchdown game came when the program’s 16 seniors were being honored.

“It was awesome to do that for those guys,” the Frisco, Texas, native said. “Everything they’ve put in, all the sacrifices they make for us — just that (offensive) line, a lot of seniors on there. Credit to them. It’s not just me out there scoring touchdowns. They’re gotta protect it (and) Rocco’s giving me the ball.”

Three-headed monster

ISU’s Carson Hansen, Abu Sama and Aiden Flora each rushed for 50-plus yards on Saturday, and its the first time three of the team’s tailbacks have done that in a single game since a win over Kansas in 2012.

“Great to play in the rhythm that we want to play in, really, across the board,” Cyclone head coach Matt Campbell said. “Just excited for our kids and the opportunity to keep finishing forward right now."

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