5 numbers that stood out in Iowa State football’s win over Cincinnati

On November 17, 2024By Littum

AMES — Iowa State football ended its 2-game losing streak Saturday, beating Cincinnati 34-17 at Jack Trice Stadium.

For those who keep track Cyclones remain undefeated in night games this season, and Matt Campbell’s side will hope to carry that success into next week’s game against Utah – which kicks off at 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. CT.

But that’s next week.

For now, Iowa State is focused on winning over Bearcatswhich puts the Cyclones at 8-2 on the season and 5-2 in Big 12 Conference play.

Here are five numbers that stood out from Iowa State’s win over Cincinnati.

5…as the Cyclones have given up an opening drive touchdown in five of the last six games

In five of Iowa State’s last six contests, the Cyclones’ defense has given up a touchdown on the game’s first drive. Kansas was the exception last weekend, but Cincinnati managed to march down the court and score early Saturday.

The Bearcats scored the game’s first touchdown after moving 75 yards in 10 plays and draining five minutes off the clock.

Did it have a big impact?

Not really, considering the Cyclones came back and won by 17 points. But it’s an unfortunate trend, and Iowa State’s defense needs to click earlier in the game.

7.5 … as in Iowa State’s fourth quarter touchdown drive lasted over seven and a half minutes

Sure enough, Abu Sama scored a nail-in-the-coffin touchdown with just over a minute left in the game. But it was Iowa State’s earlier drive that really sealed the deal.

The Cyclones piled on 15 plays that moved 68 yards over 7:33 seconds. Quarterback Rocco Becht played the biggest role on the scoring drive. He completed passes of nine and seven yards to Jayden Higgins, 10 and five yards to Jaylin Noel, an 11-yard pass to Brett Eskildsen and rushed for a combined 20 yards — including a 15-yard rushing touchdown to cap the drive.

Not only did the drive put Iowa State up by 10 points, but it left Cincinnati with just over four minutes to try to take back the lead. And with nothing going the Bearcats’ way on offense, it wasn’t nearly enough time.

13…as in Cincinnati gifted ISU yards with 13 penalties

Iowa State took care of business with the Bearcats, but Cincinnati didn’t help itself. The Cyclones’ opponent was called for 13 different penalties totaling 87 yards.

Cincinnati’s defense played a relatively clean game – picking up a pass interference call that cost the Bearcats seven yards and a holding call that set them back 10 – compared to the offense. That unit, on the other hand, picked up six false start penalties, two holding calls, a facemask, a pass interference and a delay of game.

66 … as Iowa State’s defense limited Cincinnati to just 66 passing yards

Brendan Sorsby’s lowest passing yardage in a game — prior to Saturday’s matchup — was 180 yards against Colorado two weeks ago. Despite the relatively low yardage numbers for Sorsby, he still threw two touchdown passes against the Buffs.

On Saturday, Iowa State’s defense held him to just 66 total passing yards and he threw zero touchdowns. It marked just the second time this season he had gone without a touchdown through the air.

There’s not much more to say than the Cyclones’ defense shut Sorsby down through the air. It’s easy to believe that has to do with having players like Will McLaughlin, Malik Verdon and Domonique Orange back on the field.

105…as in 105 combined receiving yards for Gabe Burkle and Stevo Klotz

If Iowa State needed a third receiver option for Becht, the Cyclones’ staff found it in a pair of tight ends — at least against Cincinnati.

Burkle finished the game as Iowa State’s leading receiver with 73 yards on six receptions. He didn’t score a touchdown, but with a long catch of 32 yards, he played an important role with Higgins and Noel limited.

The third quarter was productive for Klotz, who finished the game with 32 yards on three receptions. He gave the Cyclones their first lead on a 26-yard touchdown reception. On Iowa State’s next drive, he was the option on a fake punt, running 22 yards to convert on fourth-and-9.

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.