Football <\/p>\n
After falling one win short of the College Football Playoff a season ago, Associated Press No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones<\/a> (1-0, 1-0) began its 2025 season by once again establishing itself as a Big 12 contender in a 24-21 win over No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats (0-1, 0-1). <\/p>\n Iowa State overcame a sloppy start to the annual kick-off game in rainy Dublin, with the two teams combining for four fumbles lost.<\/p>\n Quarterback Rocco Becht<\/a> came on strong in the second half, going 8-of-13 for 105 yards and a touchdown on a beautifully placed ball to wide receiver Brett Eskildsen. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n\u2014 Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) August 23, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/center>\n\t<\/div>\n Becht closed the game with five consecutive completions, including a massive 4th-and-3 completion that allowed the Cyclones to end the game in victory formation.<\/p>\n Afterward, head coach Matt Campbell discussed his gutsy fourth-down call, praising Becht.<\/p>\n “Our quarterback gives me a lot of confidence,” Campbell told ESPN. “He’s a great football player… It wasn’t perfect all day long, but when we needed it the most, it was really good.”<\/p>\n Arguably more impressive than Becht’s performance down the stretch was Iowa State’s defense in short-yardage situations.<\/p>\n The Cyclones stopped two Wildcats drives on 4th-and-1, the first in the red zone early in the second quarter and the next midway through the fourth at the Kansas State 30-yard line.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n K-State fails to convert on 4th and 1 and Iowa State gains possession back<\/p>\n The refusal of programs to not just QB sneak with less than a yard to go always confuses me#Cyclones<\/a> #EMAW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SAAKwChC8v<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 College Football Carter (@BigTenBadgers) August 23, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/center>\n\t<\/div>\n A HUGE FOURTH DOWN STOP FOR THE CYCLONES! pic.twitter.com\/zmHlyicoOM<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) August 23, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/center>\n\t<\/div>\n Iowa State is coming off one of the best seasons in program history, setting a program record for wins in a season and finishing the year 11-3. It reached the Big 12 championship game with an opportunity to earn an automatic CFP bid but lost handily to No. 11 Arizona State, ending the year with a thrilling 42-41 Pop-Tarts Bowl win over No. 10 Miami.<\/p>\n Despite the excellent season, Iowa State entered 2025<\/a> seventh in odds (+1100) to win the Big 12, and its over\/under win total was set at 7.5. But thanks to a huge conference win in its opener, it could be just as legitimate a contender this year.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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