It’s not often a quarterback loses yards rushing and still scores three times. But that’s exactly what Rocco Becht did Saturday night.

Despite finishing with nine carries for minus-10 yards, the junior kept finding daylight at the goal line, sneaking in for three short touchdowns to lead still-No. 14 Iowa State (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) past Arizona (3-1, 0-1 Big 12), 39–14.

Becht, who threw for 243 yards on 14-of-20 passing, also orchestrated a balanced attack that showcased the Cyclones’ versatility. Carson Hansen added two short touchdown runs, while tight ends Gabe Burkle and Ben Brahmer contributed with creative plays – a direct snap 2-point conversion for Burkle and a 45-yard pass from Brahmer to Brett Eskildsen that set up Iowa State’s final score.

The Cyclones got an early boost when punter Tyler Perkins pinned Arizona inside the 10 three times on his first three kicks, and the defense forced key turnovers, including interceptions by Jontez Williams and Jamison Patton. Williams’ 42-yard pick set up a first-half touchdown that helped Iowa State carry a 22-7 lead into halftime, with Arizona getting its score just before the break.

After halftime, the Cyclones opened with a 75-yard drive in seven plays to regain momentum, capped by Becht’s 52-yard hookup with Chase Sowell and a short quarterback sneak into the end zone. Iowa State never looked back, with Hansen and Becht pounding the ball in short-yardage situations, while receivers such as Sowell stretched the field for big gains.

By the final whistle, Becht’s unusual rushing stat line – nine carries for minus-10 yards – had become a quirky footnote. What mattered most: three touchdowns and a dominant performance that kept Iowa State unbeaten as Big 12 play ramps up.

The No. 14 Cyclones play at the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday at 11 a.m. In injury news, Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams – who tore his ACL late in Saturday’s victory – are out for the season.

No. 14 Iowa State 39, Arizona 14

• Arizona: 0 7 7 0 – 14
• Iowa State: 8 14 14 3 – 39

First Quarter

• ISU: Becht 1 run (Burkle run), 5:56

Second Quarter

• ISU: Hansen 1 run (Ch. Smith kick), 12:41
• ISU: Hansen 3 run (Ch. Smith kick), 2:52
• Arizona: Hutson 9 pass from Fifita (Salgado-Medina kick), 0:22

Third Quarter

• ISU: Becht 1 run (Ch. Smith kick), 11:30. ISU-Becht 1 run (Ch. Smith kick), 8:08
• Arizona: Spivey 1 pass from Fifita (Salgado-Medina kick), 2:46

Fourth Quarter

• ISU: FG Ch. Smith 34, 0:43

Individual Statistics

Rushing

• Arizona: Mahdi 13-85, Fifita 6-17, Craig 4-6, Hutson 1-(minus 1)
• ISU: Hansen 19-63, Moberly 4-29, Sama 12-26, Lee 1-5, Team 1-(minus 1), Townsend 1-(minus 2), Becht 9-(minus 10)

Passing

• Arizona: Fifita 32-48-2-253
• ISU: Becht 14-20-1-243, Brahmer 1-1-0-45, Moberly 0-1-0-0

Receiving

• Arizona: Hutson 6-67, C. Hunter 5-59, Whatley 4-27, S. Olson 4-24, Wysong 3-31, Mahdi 3-8, Spivey 2-10, Mizell 1-7, Craig 1-6, Phelps 1-6, Burnett 1-5, Richardson 1-3
• ISU: C. Sowell 4-146, Eskildsen 3-54, Hansen 3-31, Brahmer 2-29, Burkle 2-19, Townsend 1-9

Missed field goals

• Arizona: Salgado-Medina 46