AP Photo – Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins, 9, poses with Baylor safety DJ Coleman during the second half of a Big 12 Conference football game Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. (33 years old) caught a touchdown pass in front of him. Iowa State won 43-21.
AMES — Rocco Becht threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night, leading No. 16 Iowa State to a 43-21 victory.
The Cyclones (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) erased an early and third-quarter deficit and are off to their best start since 1980. Baylor (2-4, 0-3) has lost its third straight game.
“I think it’s the mental strength that everyone has and the ability to be consistent,” Becht said. “The ability to keep your head down and keep running no matter what the score or record is.”
Becht’s TD passes went 10 yards to Benjamin Brahmah and 11 yards to Jayden Higgins, extending his record for consecutive games receiving touchdowns to seven. Becht completed 16 of 25 for 277 yards.
“I can’t say enough about what this kid has brought to us,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “He’s playing better than anyone right now and I’m really proud of his accomplishments.”
Jaylon Jackson led the Cyclones’ rushing attack with 107 yards and two touchdowns at Iowa State since transferring from Eastern Michigan.
“It felt great,” Jackson said. “I want to thank the offensive line and all my teammates and coaches for making it possible.”
The Cyclones gained 265 yards, their third consecutive game with over 200 yards, and finished with 542 total yards, the most in the past two seasons.
Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, including one interception. His TD passes were 4 yards to Josh Cameron, 8 yards to Michael Trigg and 25 yards to Ketron Jackson Jr.
“We started fast and had great energy and execution, but at times we made mistakes in execution,” Baylor head coach Dava Aranda said.
takeout
Baylor: The Bears came into the game coming off a two-game losing streak and opened this game with two long touchdown drives and one to start the second half. After that, the attack stalled. The Bears gained just 63 yards on their final four possessions, including one interception and three three-and-outs.
Iowa State: Becht continues to be a steady presence, and the arrival of Jackson has further upgraded the running game.
Impact of public opinion polls
Iowa State is poised to move up a spot or two after the teams ahead of them lose.
block party
It was the first time Iowa State had a blocked touchdown punt in the second quarter since 2004 against Northern Illinois. Miles Mendezorn got the block and running back Kayden Matson ran it 25 yards.
to the next
Baylor: Visits Texas Tech next Saturday.
Iowa: Visits West Virginia next Saturday.
No. 16 Iowa Street 43, Baylor 21
at Ames
Baylor 7 7 7 0 — 21
Iowa Street 3 16 14 10 — 43
1st quarter
Bay – 4 passes from Cameron Robertson (Hankins kick), 6:32.
ISU-FG Conradi 45, 3:19.
2nd quarter
Bay – Trigg 8 pass from Robertson (Hankins kick), 13:46.
ISU-FG Conraldi 38, 10:34.
ISU-Brahmah 10 Pass from Becht (kick missed), 6:10.
ISU vs. Matson 25 punt return (Conrady kick), 4:46.
3rd quarter
BAY–K. Jackson 25 pass from Robertson (Hankins kick), 12:55.
ISU-J. Jackson 10 runs (Conrady kick), 10:33.
ISU-Higgins 11 passes from Becht (Conraldi kick), 40 minutes.
4th quarter
ISU-J. Jackson 20 runs (Conradi kick), 11 minutes 31 seconds.
ISU-FG Conradi 22, 2:16.
A – 61,500.
team statistics
Bayis
First down 21 27
Total net yards 337 542
Rush Yards 20-79 45-265
passing 258 277
Comp-at-Into 25-44-1 16-25-1
Punt 5-37.8 0-0.0
Lost fumble 0-0 0-0
Penalty Yards 6-74 4-55
Possession time 24:06 35:54
individual leader
Rushing – Washington State Baylor 8-28, Pendergrass 9-27. Iowa Street, J. Jackson 15-107, Hansen 15-97.
Passing – Baylor, Robertson 25-44-1-258. Iowa Street, Becht 16-25-1-277.
Receiving – Baylor, Trigg 6-61, K. Jackson 5-66, Presley 5-57. Iowa Street, Higgins 8-116, Noel 5-98, Brammer 2-49.
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