QB of the Week: Rocco Becht Leads Cyclones

Game Context

The stage was as good it gets for an opening game: No. 22 Iowa State (1-0, 1-0 Big 12) vs. No. 17 Kansas State (0-1, 0-1) in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. It was a top-25 showdown on foreign soil that gave the Cyclones a chance to prove that they belong in the Big 12 title discussion from the beginning. For Becht, it was the perfect opportunity to showcase growth after a record-breaking 2024 season, and that he did. 

Becht was efficient and resilient. He went 14-of-28 for 183 yards, two passing touchdowns and zero interceptions, while also adding a decisive 7-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter. More than the numbers, it was his poise in critical moments that separated him. His first strike came on a 23-yard touchdown to Dominic Overby in the first quarter to give the Cyclones an early 7-0 lead, setting the tone early.

When Kansas State regained momentum with a touchdown drive of their own, Becht had an answer—in the third quarter he found Brett Eskildsen for a 24-yard score, swinging the energy back to the Cyclones and a 14-7 lead. And last but not least, he sealed the win on fourth-and-3 with just over two minutes left, staying calm under pressure and connecting with Carson Hansen for a 15-yard strike to put the game away.

The Defining Moment

The defining moment came late in the fourth quarter. Kansas State was mounting a comeback and Iowa State was holding on to the narrow lead, 17-14, Becht channeled his inner running back and finished a 7-yard run into the end zone. It was a clutch touchdown in every sense—strongly displaying his will to carry his team on his shoulders. 

Becht’s combination of efficiency, decision-making, and clutch execution in a packed out stadium stood out. He didn’t just manage the game—he lead it. On an international stage against a ranked opponent, he became the steady hand that Iowa State needs to make some noise in the Big 12. 

A year ago, Becht set the program’s single-season passing record with 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns. This time around, he looks ready to turn those stats into consecutive wins. If he continues to be efficient and make sound decisions, the Cyclones will be a serious contender in the Big 12 race.

Bottom Line

Week zero belonged to Becht. With the season just underway, Iowa State’s quarterback has already set the standard on a national stage. The bar is high—and week one will tell us who can give him a run for his money.