The Cyclone offense couldn’t get anything going in the second half, losing 24-16 to Arizona State on Saturday. The Cyclones have now lost four straight games.
After losing to the Sun Devils, the Cyclones fall to 5-4 and 2-4 in conference play, giving them more losses through nine games this season than they did in all of 2024 when they went 11-3. It is also the first time Iowa State has lost four straight games since 2022, when it lost five in a row.
Following the past three losses for the Cyclones, redshirt junior quarterback Rocco Becht has been critical of his play and how he needs to be better. On Saturday, Becht threw for 186 yards on 50% completion, his third lowest throwing number and tied for his lowest completion percentage. Becht also threw one touchdown and one interception.
Despite it being one of Becht’s slower passing performances, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell believes Becht played a very complete game, even more so than his recent performances.
“I thought he was spectacular today,” Campbell said. “I thought he did a great job taking care of the ball. We said we had to win the turnover margin, which we did, and again, I thought some of the plays that were there he was able to make.”
After dropping a fourth straight game and having under 200 passing yards for just the third time this season, Becht was not as impressed with himself and not as descriptive of it.
“Not good enough,” Becht said. “That’s all I got for that.”
A bright spot for the Cyclones’ offense was junior running back Carson Hansen, who had 113 rushing yards on 18 carries. It was Hansen’s second straight game with at least 100 yards rushing and the third time he has done that this season.
“Man, we ran the ball again really well today in some critical moments,” Campbell said.
The Cyclones were only able to tally 175 yards and three points in the second half, falling short of the 210 yards and seven points the Sun Devils put up. 44 of the Cyclones’ second-half yards came in the final possession, when they were stopped short of the line to gain on fourth and six.
One of the biggest moments of the game came during the fourth quarter with a little under nine minutes left to play. Becht targeted junior tight end Benjamin Brahmer, and as he reached out for the ball, an Arizona State defender laid a hit on him. Brahmer took his time getting up, but as he started walking, it appeared that Brahmer collapsed. He was then carted off the field on a stretcher and brought to Mary Greeley Medical Center.
“You know it’s really scary seeing a brother go down like that,” Hansen said. “We’re just praying for him right now. He’s alert, you know, so it’s good to hear.”
There is no further status on Brahmer, other than that he was evaluated and treated and has been discharged from the hospital.
“I think the reality of it is, hopefully, when Tuesday comes, I can give you maybe a better update of what happened with the situation,” Campbell said.
For a team that was already struggling to get into a rhythm offensively, an injury like that can bring the morale down even more.
“Obviously, you want to play for that guy,” Becht said. “After that happened, it hurts you, and you want to go out and win the game for them. Unfortunately, the ball just isn’t bouncing our way right now.”
With five wins, the Cyclones are still fighting for bowl eligibility, but the offense cannot figure out the root of the struggles. Iowa State has three games remaining on the schedule and needs to win one in order to qualify for a bowl game.
“It’s frustrating, you know, because we come in here, just hours upon hours throughout the day,” Hansen said. “It’s frustrating to not see the result.”
