Iowa State football: Cyclones' offense shines in Pop-Tarts Bowl win ...

Show Caption

Hide Caption

Iowa State football: Carson Hansen on Pop-Tarts Bowl win over Miami

Iowa State running back Carson Hansen discussed the emotions of the Cyclones thrilling win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Throughout Iowa State football's first-ever 11-win season, the Cyclones have willed their way to victory in a variety of ways.

There were dramatic comebacks, stingy defensive efforts, resilience after injuries, clutch plays on either side of the ball. Saturday's 42-41 Pop-Tarts Bowl win over Miami provided the Cyclones a new way to win — an offensive shootout.

"Let me just say, obviously, again what an awesome week it was," said coach Matt Campbell. "It's rewritten history every step of the way and to put a great exclamation point on it tonight was really, really awesome. Proud of our team and think the world of Coach (Mario) Cristobal and obviously that Miami team, but great opportunity for us to finish the season the right way."

The Cyclones had been applauded for their defensive efforts throughout the year, and deservedly so. But on Saturday, they proved they could hang with the nation's top offense in a back-and-forth battle.

Quarterback Rocco Becht was named the Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP after completing 22-of-35 passes for 270 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had the decisive rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak with 56 seconds left in the game.

More: Pop-Tarts Bowl: The best memes and social media reaction from the 2024 game

"We've been in these situations before," Becht said of the final scoring drive. "We practice it all the time. I think our team just has the poise and the calmness to just execute in the biggest moments and that's what we did."

He orchestrated the Cyclones' fifth late-game go-ahead scoring drive of the season, as they finished with a program-best 11-3 record. They also amassed 42 points, marking the most points by an Iowa State team in bowl game history.

Iowa State may have had its inconsistencies on offense recently, but Saturday was the first time it crossed the 40-point mark since the win over Baylor on Oct. 5.

Unlike that game, though, Becht's unit didn't have any turnovers. The Cyclones were also without one of their go-to targets, Jayden Higgins, who opted out of Saturday's game. An NFL Draft prospect, Higgins had a team-best 87 receptions for 1,183 and nine touchdowns in 2024.

Iowa State's other standout receiver, Jaylin Noel, finished Saturday's victory with eight receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown in his final game as a Cyclone.

He had a couple of crucial receptions to set up the game-winning touchdown as well.

"Since January, we have put ourselves in those situations to be ready for those moments, so when that time came, we were ready for it," Noel said. "It has not hit me yet (that this is my last game). I love this team so much. I love coach for everything he's done for me. This team means the world to me, and there's no better way to go out than a champion."

While he had a great performance to end his Iowa State career, there are questions regarding how the team would be able to turn the page next season offensively. Higgins and Noel accounted for more than 60% of the team's receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns this season.

After that leading receiving tandem, tight end Gabe Burkle was the next-highest producer, entering Saturday's contest with just 22 receptions and 242 yards this season.

However, the most productive wide receiver after Higgins and Noel was Carson Brown. He had logged just nine receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown entering Saturday.

The Cyclones gave fans a glimpse of what next year's offense could potentially look like Saturday. Although the other receivers may have not had the number of targets like Noel or Higgins, they stepped up and got in rhythm with Becht against the Hurricanes.

More: Iowa State football: 5 numbers that stood out in the Cyclones' win in the Pop-Tarts Bowl

Burkle had his first touchdown reception and had four catches for 54 yards. Isaiah Alston made a couple of crucial grabs, his first two receptions since transferring from Army, and finished with 52 receiving yards on two catches. Eli Green and Brown also had a couple of receptions to sustain scoring drives.

There's also no overlooking running back Carson Hansen, who had 95 yards of total offense and accounted for three touchdowns.

Miami entered Saturday's game leading the country in numerous offensive categories, including an FBS-best 44.2 points per game and 538.2 total yards per game.

Although Heisman Trophy finalist and projected first-round draft pick Cam Ward only played in the first half Saturday, the Cyclones' offense kept up with the high-powered Hurricanes.

Both teams exchanged touchdowns on a total of eight straight drives between them.

"It's just next drive, and we're going in and out," Hansen said of the back-and-forth battle. "It was still a team win. The defense held in the later part of the game and it was just a great win."

The Hurricanes snatched the lead entering halftime with a last-minute field goal, but the Cyclones were right behind.

More: Hines: Iowa State football wins 11th game with Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over Miami

Iowa State trailed for a majority of the second half but delivered when it mattered most. The Cyclones went step-for-step with the nation's top offense and overtook them in the final minute.

While they'll miss offensive catalysts like Higgins and Noel next season, there were glimpses into a bright future.

For now, though, they'll embrace the present, salute the seniors who paved the way and enjoy a celebratory Pop-Tart.

"When we took the job and we came to Iowa State, they said, 'Man, you're going to the coaching graveyard,'" Campbell said. "To be able to now, nine years later, sit here and look at what these young men stand for and what so many before them have done. (In) 2017, David Montgomery and Joel Lanning and Allen Lazard. Then Brock (Purdy) comes along and what he was able to do with Breece Hall, Charlie Kolar, Chase Allen and Will McDonald and some great players.

"Now to be able to sit here today, they are going to talk about Jaylin Noel forever, and they are going to talk about Beau (Freyler) forever and they are going to talk about Rocco forever. That's just a lot of great value."

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.