AMES, Iowa – New quarterback Rocco Becht made an immediate impact at Jack Trice Stadium, igniting the Cyclones with a sensational start.
Becht opened the game with a 54-yard pass on the first play and followed it up with a 21-yard touchdown pass on the next, setting Iowa State on course for a 21-3 victory over North Dakota on a pristine Saturday afternoon.
After a redshirt freshman season where he threw for 3,120 yards, Becht continued to impress by adding a second touchdown pass and scoring another himself, leading Iowa State to its fourth consecutive season-opening win at MidAmerican Energy Field.
Becht completed 20 of 26 passes for 267 yards, with Jaylin Noel being his primary target. Noel’s eight catches moved him past Charlie Kolar to fifth place on ISU’s career receiving list with 173 receptions. Noel finished with 135 receiving yards and is just three catches away from overtaking Todd Blythe for fourth place.
Iowa State relied on Becht’s precision to fend off a determined North Dakota team. Ranked 22nd in the preseason FCS rankings, North Dakota reached the playoffs last year and challenged Iowa State with a ball-control strategy, running 72 plays to ISU’s 48.
However, the Cyclones’ defense made crucial stops, including an interception by Beau Freyler, keeping the Fighting Hawks out of the end zone. North Dakota’s only points came from a 26-yard field goal by C.J. Elrichs, following a lengthy 23-play drive that spanned nearly the entire second quarter.
Becht wasted no time connecting with his favorite target. On the game’s first play, Noel caught a 54-yard pass between two defenders, setting up a touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins on the next play, giving the Cyclones a 7-0 lead just 38 seconds into the game.
This marked Iowa State’s first opening drive touchdown since an 85-yard drive in the 2022 season opener against Southeast Missouri.
After North Dakota’s field goal late in the first half, the Cyclones responded with a 65-yard drive, capped by Becht’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Noel, leading to a 14-3 going into the break.
Iowa State’s final touchdown came on a 96-yard drive after a mishandled snap by North Dakota’s punter resulted in a 49-yard kick downed at the ISU 4-yard line. Becht was flawless on the drive, completing all seven of his passes for 73 yards and finishing it off with a 2-yard sneak. Earlier in the drive, a 21-yard touchdown pass to Higgins was nullified due to an illegal formation penalty.
Higgins finished with five receptions for 75 yards, and both he and Noel were perfect, catching all 13 of their combined targets.
North Dakota State transfer Eli Green also contributed, catching four passes for 44 yards.
Iowa State will face Iowa in their annual Cy-Hawk matchup next Saturday at Kinnick Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on CBS.
