Another setback of the Iowa State Cyclones was dealt in Week 9 when they lost to BYU Cougars 41-27. The loss was their third consecutive defeat that left a big gap in their Big 12 title. Iowa State started off well, but it failed to maintain that lead, and expensive errors, particularly by star quarterback Rocco Becht, hindered what would otherwise have been a statement win into another disappointing win.
Going into the game, the Cyclones were aware that this was a must win game. Winning over No. 11 BYU, which was a conference that had not been beaten yet, would have rejuvenated their season and improved their position. In the first half, matters appeared to be encouraging. Iowa State opened the firing line and they took 17-7 lead and silenced the BYU crowd. This crime was running smoothly and the defense seemed to be coordinated. But the situation started to fall apart as soon as it had gotten under way.
Rocco Becht made an interception in BYU territory midway in the second quarter as the Iowa State team was on the move. With only that play, the tide changed entirely. The Cyclones led BYU by one point but the other end scored a field goal in reply. There, the Cougars took over and scored 31-3 dominating run that changed the game upside down.
Rocco Becht, who was supposed to make the team performance a bounce back, failed miserably once more, in the second week. His decision-making was very expensive particularly at critical times. The worst play occurred towards the end of the fourth quarter when Iowa state was behind by seven. The pass by Becht was intercepted and returned as a touchdown a pick-six, which essentially killed the game.
The junior quarterback ended the night with a completion of 24 out of 36 passes; 311 yards, 1-TD, and 3-intercepted footballs. His turnovers were too expensive to be beaten even with the good yardage total. The bye week had given Iowa State hopes of ironing out their errors but their enemy was the star player and he was the center of their problems again.
The Cyclones have lost three games in a row and are in a crisis of their season. They will go home next week to face the Arizona State Sun Devils in a hope that they can end the slide before it turns into a four-game losing streak.
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