Iowa State football holds on to beat Oklahoma State: 3 takeaways from the Big 12 opener

AMES — Iowa State’s defense looked unusually soft. The Cyclones’ offense appeared unusually potent. And by halftime of the Cyclones’ Saturday afternoon Big 12 season-opener against Oklahoma State everything seemed to be oddly askew — in both good and bad ways.

No matter. The defense tightened up somewhat and the offense kept whirring along, helping ISU hold on for a 34-27 win before a crowd of 59,022 at Jack Trice Stadium.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Rocco Becht compiled the first 300-yard passing game of his young career as the Cyclones (2-2, 1-0) opened conference play with a win for the first time since 2020. ISU also scored its most points in a conference game since it beat TCU, 48-14, on Nov. 26, 2021 at home.

Becht completed 27 of his 38 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Jaylin Noel caught eight passes for a career-high 146 yards and a touchdown. Fellow wideout Daniel Jackson gathered in a single-game career-best six catches for 90 yards and scored two touchdowns. Running back Eli Sanders scored his first career touchdown in a 7-yard leap to the pylon that gave the Cyclones a two-score lead early in the fourth quarter.

So what else went right for ISU after two straight one-score losses to Iowa and Ohio? Read on:

1. As noted, Noel returned

Iowa State’s top returning receiver was sorely missed last week against the Bobcats. The 5-10, 200-pound junior from Kansas City sat out because of an illness — and his absence hindered an already punchless offense that failed to score a point until late in the game.

Noel caught seven passes for 126 yards in the first half alone on Saturday. He scored the Cyclones’ first touchdown, flying down the field uncovered to chase down quarterback Rocco Becht’s 38-yard toss.

Simply put, ISU’s offense is severely limited when Noel — the best downfield threat on the team — isn’t on the field. Having him back against the Cowboys proved to be crucial as the Cyclones got back on a winning track.

2. Chase Contreraz rebounded

ISU’s first-year starting kicker missed two field goals in last week’s 10-7 loss at Ohio, but Contreraz got back on track Saturday.

The graduate transfer from Missouri Valley calmly drilled a 51-yard field goal with 7:12 remaining in the second quarter to put the Cyclones ahead, 17-14. He then made a 46-yarder to give ISU a 20-14 edge midway through the second quarter and the Cyclones never trailed after that.

3. Winning in the (turnover) margin

Cyclones safety Beau Freyler notched the game’s lone takeaway, as he intercepted Cowboys quarterback Alan Bowman inside the 20-yard line and returned it to the 35.

Freyler — who narrowly missed picking off a Bowman pass earlier in the game — didn’t set up a scoring drive, but did set the tone for a second half ISU mostly dominated.

Cornerback T.J. Tampa sealed the win with another interception as the Cyclones finished on the plus side of the turnover margin ledger for just the second time this season.

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com