First-half domination carries Iowa State past Kansas

Field Level Media|published: Sat 22nd November, 15:33 2025

Iowa State Cyclones' defensive back David Coffey (18), defensive line Ikenna Ezeogu (88) and defensive line Domonique Orange (95) takes down Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Isaiah Marshall (8) during the first quarter in the senior day on Nov. 22, 2025, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa

Rocco Becht completed 18 of 23 pass attempts for 241 yards and three touchdowns as Iowa State earned a 38-14 Big 12 win over Kansas on Saturday in Ames, Iowa.

Carson Hansen rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown, Brett Eskildsen caught six passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns, Benjamin Brahmer caught a touchdown pass and Aiden Flora ran for a score.

Marcus Neal had an interception and Kyle Konrardy made a 55-yard field goal for the Cyclones (7-4, 4-4 Big 12).

Jalon Daniels completed 13 of 23 pass attempts for 154 yards and an interception for the Jayhawks (5-6, 3-5). Boden Groen had five reception for 76 yards and a touchdown, while Leshon Williams had a rushing touchdown.

The Cyclones' opening series was a 12 play, 75-yard scoring drive. Becht connected on all four passing attempts including a 9-yard touchdown pass to Eskildsen as Iowa State took a 7-0 lead.

On the first play of the second quarter, Hansen's 4-yard rushing touchdown put the Cyclones up 14-0. After Kansas missed a field goal, Konrardy's 55-yard field goal gave Iowa State a 17-0 lead it would carry into halftime.

Four Iowa State first-half drives featured 38 plays and 19 minutes in time of possession. The Cyclones held a 202-94 advantage in total yards and shut out a team in the first half for the first time this season.

It took Kansas four plays to get on the board in the second half. Williams' 4-yard rushing touchdown, to cap a four-play drive, cut the Jayhawks' deficit to 17-7.

Becht answered with a 20-yard TD strike to Eskildsen and the Cyclones took a 24-7 lead with 8:52 left in the third quarter. With 7:58 left in the third quarter, Daniles was hurt on a rushing attempt and missed one play.

Kansas' backup Cole Ballard fired a 21-yard TD on his first pass to Groen and the Jayhawks trailed 24-14 in the third quarter. A 12-yard touchdown reception by Brahmer extended the Cyclones advantage to 31-14 with 2:18 left in the third.

Neal's interception in the red zone came with 7:01 remaining and Flora tacked on a 38-yard TD run with just over a minute to play.

In order to become bowl eligible, Kansas faces a must-win game on Friday against Utah.

-Field Level Media

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