The Iowa State Cyclones made their much-anticipated season-opener a business-like one in their 30-9 win over UNI. Much was made coming into the game as Iowa State need to replace key players such as last year’s starting QB in Hunter Dekkers, starting RB Jirehl Brock, starting TE Deshawn Hannika, and starting OT Jake Remsburg.
Despite the questions on offense, it was the Cyclone defense that made the early statement with Jeremiah Cooper picking off Theo Day on UNI’s opening drive and running it back 58 yards for a touchdown to put ISU up 7-0. A UNI punt on the ensuing drive led to a big return by Jaylin Noel, which eventually led to starting quarterback Rocco Becht sneaking in a 4th and goal play to put Iowa State up 14-0. Becht was given the start, going 10-13 with 113 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The 2nd quarter went on without much action, until the Cyclones put together an excellent 2-minute drill, capped off by a Rocco Becht touchdown pass to tight end Tyler Moore to put the Cyclones up 20-0 after a botched PAT. UNI tried to air it out and get a score before half, but Jeremiah Cooper’s 2nd INT of the day set up kicker Chase Contreraz for a 56-yard field goal as time expired, to give Iowa State a 23-0 halftime lead.
Iowa State quickly added on to their lead in the 2nd half, with the Cyclones marching down field in 4 plays, capped off with Becht’s 2nd touchdown pass of the day to true freshman tight end Benjamin Brahmer to put Iowa State up 30-0. From there, UNI would get a couple of scores, one a Matthew Cook 31-yard field goal, the other a Theo Day touchdown pass to former-Hawkeye Desmond Hutson, in the end UNI didn’t have the fire power to compete with the Cyclones offensively in the 30-9 victory.
The Cyclones are back next Saturday when they take on Iowa in the annual Iowa Corn CyHawk Series at 2:30 PM at Jack Trice Stadium.