Quarterback Rocco Becht faced a challenging moment during the Big 12 Championship as his No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones took on the No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Despite his efforts to lead Iowa State to victory, Becht was briefly sidelined after a hard hit during the game.
Arizona State’s Dominance in the Championship
Arizona State (11-2, 7-2 Big 12) clinched the Big 12 Championship with an impressive 45-19 win over Iowa State (10-3, 7-2). The Cyclones started the game with enthusiasm, but they struggled to keep pace with the Sun Devils’ explosive offense and solid defense. The turning point came early in the fourth quarter when Arizona State defensive back Shamari Simmons delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit on Becht, leading to a targeting call and Simmons’ ejection from the game. As per NCAA rules, Simmons will also miss the first half of Arizona State’s upcoming College Football Playoff quarterfinal game.
Becht’s Resilience and Performance
After being evaluated for the hit, Rocco Becht returned to the field to finish the game. He showcased his determination by throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaylin Noel with 7:27 left in the fourth quarter. However, the Cyclones were unable to overcome Arizona State’s commanding lead. Becht completed 21 of 35 passes for 214 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Despite the loss, he remained focused on rallying his teammates as they walked off the field.
Rocco Becht’s Post-Game Reflections
In the aftermath of the game, Becht addressed the media, expressing his pride in his teammates and their hard work throughout the season. He emphasized the importance of learning from this experience and vowed that Iowa State would return to the Big 12 Championship next year.
“These guys put in a lot of work to get to what we did today, and it just didn’t fall into what we wanted it to, and you know, we got to be better,” Becht remarked. “We are a team that I feel like can handle adversity really well, and today at some points we just couldn’t, and we have to fix that.”
Becht’s confidence was evident when he added,
“But at the end of the day, I told everybody coming out of the tunnel, the ones that are coming back, that you know, remember this feeling because we will be back in this game next year. I promise you that.”
A Motivating Loss for the Cyclones
The setback in the Big 12 Championship could serve as a significant motivator for the Cyclones as they look ahead to next season. With a strong foundation and a talented roster, Iowa State has the potential to build on their experiences this year. The loss may ignite a fire within the team, pushing them to work harder and refine their skills in preparation for another shot at the championship.
The Road Ahead for Iowa State
Looking forward, the Cyclones will need to focus on key areas for improvement, particularly in handling high-pressure situations. With Becht at the helm, Iowa State has a promising future. His leadership and resilience, combined with the team’s collective effort, could pave the way for a successful campaign next year.
The Cyclones have shown they can compete at a high level, and with the right adjustments, they could very well find themselves back in the Big 12 Championship, aiming to secure the title that eluded them this season. The journey to greatness is often filled with challenges, but it’s how teams respond to those challenges that ultimately defines their legacy.
As the offseason approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Iowa State prepares for the next chapter. Will they learn from their mistakes and come back stronger? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: Rocco Becht and the Cyclones are determined to make their mark in college football.
