By : Sabri Haidar
(Photo/Eli Douglas- The Mojo Network)
CINCINNATI — Behind a blistering start and a balanced offensive attack, Cincinnati took down No. 14 Iowa State 38-30 on Saturday, earning its first home win over a ranked opponent since 2021.
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns, while Evan Pryor added 111 yards and two scores on the ground as the Bearcats (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) exploded for a 17-point first quarter and never trailed.
Cincinnati led 31-7 late in the second quarter before Iowa State (5-1, 2-1) clawed back within one score in the final two minutes. The Bearcats sealed the win by recovering the onside kick to cap off a statement victory.
“It’s a different team,” head coach Scott Satterfield said afterward. “Different players. Different energy.”
Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 314 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing scores in a gutsy performance. But Sorsby’s 82-yard bomb to Caleb Goodie in the fourth quarter — the Bearcats’ longest pass since 2015 — proved the dagger.
Penalties proved costly for the Cyclones, one of the nation’s least-flagged teams. An early offsides call on third down extended Cincinnati’s opening drive, setting up Pryor’s 30-yard touchdown to open the scoring.
Becht answered with a pair of short rushing touchdowns and an 11-yard strike to Brett Eskildsen, keeping the Cyclones alive. Still, with 16 players sidelined — including All-Big 12 defensive backs Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams — Iowa State’s depleted roster couldn’t finish the comeback.
“Rocco Becht is a warrior,” Satterfield said. “We went toe-to-toe with one of the best programs in this league, and our guys never flinched.”