AMES, Iowa — Rocco Becht threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and Carson Hansen ran for two scores as No. 20 Iowa State posted a 52-7 win over Arkansas State on Saturday.

Becht’s 1-yard run put the Cyclones up 14-0 late in the first quarter, and his TD passes of 10 yards to Tyler Moore and 16 yards to Jayden Higgins put the Cyclones (3-0) up 31-0 into halftime.

Hansen, who struggled to find playing time his freshman year, rushed for 58 yards on nine attempts and forced a fumble after an interception by ISU backup quarterback Connor Moberly late in the third quarter.

The Cyclones rushed for 237 yards and finished with 490 yards of total offense, their most since 2021.

The Cyclones opened the game with a total of 175 yards on 50 carries in their wins over North Dakota and Iowa.

Iowa State held the Red Wolves (2-2) to zero until late in the fourth quarter, allowing just 182 yards.

Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor struggled for the second straight week against a ranked opponent, completing 5 of 16 passes for 68 yards with two interceptions. He threw for 140 yards and was intercepted in last week’s loss to Michigan.

Timmy McClain threw a 27-yard pass to Hunter Summers for the Red Wolves’ lone score.

The takeaway meal

Arkansas State: The Red Wolves struggled on all fronts against a second straight top-tier opponent, committing four turnovers.

Iowa State: The Cyclones finally got their running game going and the defense recorded four sacks in a dominant performance.

Survey implications

Iowa State hopes to move up after an easy win.

Next

Arkansas State: hosts South Alabama next Saturday.

Iowa State: Visits Houston next Saturday.

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