Iowa State Dominates Arkansas State, 52-7, as Matt Campbell Ties Win Record

Matt Campbell, the head coach of Iowa State University's football team, now shares the top spot on the Cyclones' all-time victory list. He earned his 56th win with the 20th-ranked Cyclones in their 52-7 victory over Arkansas State on Saturday, September 21, 2024, tying him with Dan McCarney for the most wins among ISU football coaches.

The Cyclones made sure their coach didn't have to sweat this one out, even in the 88-degree heat. They jumped to a 31-0 halftime lead behind Rocco Becht's big-play passing and a revived running game that included Carson Hansen's career day. The Cyclones cruised through the second half, adding to their lead and eventually reaching a 52-7 win.

A Dominant Offensive Performance

Iowa State's offense was firing on all cylinders, outgaining Arkansas State 490-182 and scoring six touchdowns. The Cyclones finished with season highs of 490 total yards and 237 rushing yards. It was their biggest scoring outburst since a 59-7 rout of Kansas on Oct. 2, 2021.

The Cyclones also displayed a balanced attack, with both the passing and rushing games contributing significantly. Rocco Becht led the passing attack, hitting on 11 of 18 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He also scored on a 1-yard sneak. Carson Hansen, who normally serves as the team's short-yardage back, had a breakout performance with career highs of nine carries and 58 yards. He scored the first two touchdowns of his career.

Defense Shuts Down Arkansas State

The Iowa State defense played a crucial role in the win, blanking the Red Wolves (2-2) until less than 5 minutes remained in the game. The Cyclones held ASU to 64 yards rushing and 182 total yards, making it a difficult game for the Red Wolves offense. They also made several key plays, including interceptions by Jeremiah Cooper and Malik Verdon, Darien Porter's fourth punt block of his career, and four sacks.

A Strong Start and an Impressive Finish

The Cyclones started the game strong, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. Darien Porter, one of the heroes of the Cy-Hawk win over Iowa earlier this month, blocked a punt that gave the Cyclones excellent field position. Rocco Becht then connected with Benjamin Brahmer for a 28-yard pass, setting up Carson Hansen's first career touchdown.

Iowa State continued to dominate the game throughout the first half, with the defense forcing two turnovers and limiting Arkansas State to a 1-for-7 effort on third downs. The Cyclones extended their lead to 31-0 by halftime, with Rocco Becht throwing two touchdown passes and running for another. They added to their lead in the second half, allowing Arkansas State to score only a single touchdown. The game ended with freshman Aiden Flora scoring his first career touchdown, a run that put the exclamation point on an impressive victory.

Looking Ahead to the Next Challenge

With the victory, Iowa State moves to 3-0 on the season. They will jump into Big 12 action next week, when they travel to Houston for a game against the Cougars. This will be another challenging game, but the Cyclones will be looking to build on their momentum from the dominant win over Arkansas State. It will be interesting to see how the team responds to this new challenge and if they can maintain the same level of performance on the road.

A New Era for Iowa State Football

With Matt Campbell tying Dan McCarney's record for the most wins as Iowa State's head coach, it's clear that a new era for Cyclone football has arrived. The team has been consistently competitive under Campbell, achieving winning records in six of the last seven seasons. The team is now ranked in the Top 25, and it's looking to make a deep run into the postseason. Campbell has proven himself to be a successful head coach, and the future looks bright for Iowa State football.

The Future is Bright

The Cyclones' success against Arkansas State wasn't just about tying a record. The team displayed a level of talent and depth that bodes well for the future. The performance of Carson Hansen and the emergence of Aiden Flora show the team's potential. It will be interesting to see how they develop and contribute as the season progresses. With a strong core of players returning, and a young and talented group of newcomers, the Cyclones are poised for continued success. This is a team that is built for the long haul, and the future looks very bright for Iowa State football.