Iowa State Cyclones

Game recap, highlights: Iowa State makes history, wins Pop-Tarts Bowl over Miami

Rocco Becht leads late TD drive that results in first 11-win season in Iowa State history

Dana Becker

Carson Hansen runs in for one of his three touchdowns in the Pop-Tarts Bowl for Iowa State Saturday vs. Miami.
Carson Hansen runs in for one of his three touchdowns in the Pop-Tarts Bowl for Iowa State Saturday vs. Miami. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Iowa State football team puts a wrap on the 2024 season when they take on Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

Following a long few weeks, the Cyclones (10-3) and Hurricanes (10-2) square off in one of the marquee non-College Football Playoff bowl games. Iowa State comes in ranked 18th in the nation while Miami is 13th. 

Both had chances to secure a spot in the CFP, as the Cyclones made it to the Big 12 Conference title game before losing to Arizona State. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, fell to Syracuse in the final week of the regular season, knocking them from the ACC title game. 

Each team also features talented seniors who have opted to play in the bowl game instead of prepare for the NFL Draft. That includes Miami quarterback and Heisman finalist Cam Ward, along with ISU wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. 

Final Stats, Analysis

It was a record-breaking day all around during the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Miami quarterback Cam Ward set a new Div. I record for career passing touchdowns before leaving at the half with his team ahead. Iowa State, though, got the last laugh, scoring the most points in school history in a bowl while winning 11 games in a season for the first time.

Rocco Becht put together a memorable day, scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard plunge with under a minute to go. Becht finished 22 of 36 passing for 270 yards with three touchdowns while Carson Hansen ran for 82 yards and two scores, catching a third TD. 

Playing without Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel stepped up, catching eight passes for 117 yards and a TD. Gabe Burkle had four for 54 and scored the first touchdown of the game. The Cyclones found the end zone on their first four possessions, taking advantage of two Miami turnovers during that time.

Ward had 190 yards passing and three TDs in a half of work, completing 12 of 19. Damien Martinez ran for 179 yards and a 75-yard touchdown, but missed much of the second half with an injury. Mark Fletcher Jr. had a rushing touchdown.

Check out our live coverage with in-game highlights from Iowa State vs. Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl:

Live Fourth Quarter Updates

End of fourth quarter: Iowa State 42, Miami 41

The defense delivers again! Like they did late in the season, the Iowa State defense made plays when needed, preserving the lead and securing the win. The Cyclones forced a pair of field goals earlier in the game, which was huge for the victory. On the final drive of the game, they put pressure on Williams, forcing a desperation throw that came up short and was intercepted.

Touchdown Iowa State! On fourth-and-1 after Hansen is stopped short, the Cyclones leave it in the hands of Becht and he delivers, plunging in for the potential game-winning touchdown. Kyle Konrardy’s extra-point gives Iowa State a 42-41 lead with 56 seconds left.

Key plays on the drive: Becht with an NFL-level pass, hitting Noel down the sideline for 29 on third-and-1. Abu Sama III finally came to play, rushing for 10 yards and Becht had an 11-yard scramble for a first on third-and-6 early in the drive. Iowa State covered 84 yards on 15 plays in over five minutes.

Rocco magic! Becht takes off on third-and-6 for 11 yards, somehow eluding several would-be Miami defenders. The Cyclones have momentum down 41-35 with under five to go.

ISU defense steps up! Needing a quick three-and-out, the Iowa State defense delivers, forcing Miami to punt as we go under seven minutes remaining in the game. Miami maintains a six-point advantage on the scoreboard.

Three-and-out for ISU: The offense has sputtered here in the second half, going three-and-out here as we go under nine minutes left in the game. Becht made an incredible play to avoid a big loss but it was still not enough to pick up the first. Miami takes over leading 41-35 with 8:53 to go in the game.

Miami field goal: The Iowa State defense bends but does not break, forcing a field goal after a long drive by the Hurricanes. Miami takes a 41-35 lead with 9:40 to go as Andres Borregales connects from 21. But they had it first-and-goal from the 7 and were denied on two runs and a pass by Williams. The Hurricanes had marched 72 yards over 14 plays, taking up 7:40 of the clock.

Damien Martinez out: The Oregon State transfer was forced out of the game with an apparent injury early in the fourth. Martinez, who ran for a 75-yard touchdown after a fumble on the first drive for Miami, has a game-high 179 yards on 14 attempts. 

Live Third Quarter Updates

En of third quarter: Miami 38, Iowa State 35

Trick play works for ‘Canes: Seeming to need a boost, Miami turns to special teams, pulling off a perfect trick play to record a first-down and maintain possession of the ball. Iowa State just went down the field, covering 75 yards, and the Hurricanes were looking at a quick possession. Now, thanks to the Elija Lofton 28-yard run on fourth-and-6, they are marching with the lead.

Iowa State touchdown: After getting stopped on runs twice from the 1, Becht hits Jaylin Noel for a score from the three, making it Miami 38, Iowa State 35 with just over three to play in the third quarter. The Miami defense made stops on first-and-goal from the 1 and second-and-goal, knocking Hansen back three yards on the latter. 

Big plays helped the drive starting with a 27-yard run by Hansen. Miami was flagged for roughing the passer on what would have been third-down and Becht hit Burkle for 22. Just prior to the touchdown, Becht kept it himself on fourth-and-1, initially getting into the end zone before replay changed it to a first-down.

Miami touchdown: Even with Cam Ward stepping out for the rest of the game, the Hurricanes march right down the field. Led by Emory Williams and the ground attack, Miami finishes off a 10-play, 71-yard drive as Mark Fletcher Jr. runs in from a yard out. Miami 38, Iowa State 28 with 8:09 left in third quarter.

Halftime stats, analysis

What a wild start to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, as Miami fumbled on the first snap and Iowa State pounced on it. The Cyclones scored touchdowns on their first four drives of the game, but it was the Hurricanes who answered back late to take the lead. 

Rocco Becht was 14 of 22 passing for 180 yards with two touchdowns, hitting both Gabe Burkle and Carson Hansen. Hansen also ran in two scores while rushing eight times for 54 yards. Jaylin Noel was the top receiver for ISU, catching four passes for 62 yards, as Becht hit seven different players in all.

For Miami, Heisman finalist Cam Ward set a new career record for passing touchdowns, surpassing the previous mark set by Houston’s Case Keenum. Ward completed 12 of 19 for 190 with three TDs, as Damien Martinez rushed for 132 yards including a 75-yard TD. Joshisa Trader, Elijah Arroyo and Jacolby George all with receiving scores.

The defenses seemed to find their footing late in the second quarter, which could be a sign of a more typical second half in terms of scoring. Iowa State will get the ball to start the third quarter.

Live Second Quarter Updates

End of second quarter: Miami 31, Iowa State 28

Miami field goal: The Iowa State defense steps up inside the red zone, forcing a Miami field goal to give the Hurricanes a 31-28 lead just before the half. Miami marched 55 yards over 12 plays, putting together the longest drive of the game in terms of time, but the Hurricanes settle for a 30-yard field goal by Andres Borregales.

Iowa State denied: After two timeouts, the Cyclones still go for it on fourth-and-4 from the Miami 34, coming up just short of converting. Other than moving the ball, the second turnover does not hurt the Hurricanes this time, as we are still tied at 28 with 3:51 to go.

Turnover Miami! For the second time this half, Iowa State forces a turnover, stopping a Miami drive that was nearing the end zone. They also gained 15 more yards on a personal foul, setting the Cyclones up with great field position and just over six minutes to go with the game still tied at 28-all.

First punt of the game: Following a pass short of the first-down marker and a personal foul on Iowa State, we have our first punt of the game. The penalty is a big one, pushing the Cyclones back, allowing a strong return by Miami to the other side of the 50.

Iowa State loses key player: One of the top Cyclone defenders, Beau Freyler, has been transported to the back following an injury. One play after Freyler’s injury, Miami QB Cam Ward went over the top for the game-tying touchdown. Freyler appeared to suffer a serious injury to his right leg. He was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which goes to college football’s top scholar-athlete/

Miami touchdown: One play after a big run from Damien Martinez, Cam Ward hits Elijah Arroyo for his third passing TD of the day, tying it back up at 28-all with 9:25 to go in the quarter. Ward continues to add to his now-recording setting number for career passing touchdowns. 

Touchdown Iowa State! Make it three TDs for Hansen on four Iowa State drives, as he slips out of the backfield and goes in untouched from 13 yards out. Iowa State leads 28-21 with 10:43 left before half. Hansen has two rushing scores and the receiving one, as the Cyclones have scored on all four drives to start the game for the first time in two decades.

Alston steps up! With no Higgins, Army transfer Isaiah Alston has stepped up, hauling in a big 39-yard pass on second-and-12 for his first reception as a Cyclone. Iowa State marching again against this suspect Miami defense with the ball at the 13. 

Miami touchdown: If you give Ward time, he will break you. Using his athleticism, Ward gets away from pressure, finding Joshisa Trader for a 40-yard touchdown to tie it at 21-all with 13:33 to play before half. Trader hauled in the pass and broke free from the defender for the score. Miami went 75 yards over nine plays, covering just under four minutes between the first and second quarters.

Miami imploding? Members of the defense for the Hurricanes are getting frustrated, and showing it on the sidelines. Two players actually threw punches at one another and had to be separated by teammates. 

Live First Quarter Updates

End of first quarter: Iowa State 21, Miami 14

What a wild opening quarter of action that was, as the Cyclones scored on each possession. Rocco Becht was 6 of 9 passing for 87 yards with a TD to Gabe Burkle, who caught three passes for 32. Jaylin Noel had two for 52 while Carson Hansen already has 36 yards rushing and a pair of TDs. For Miami, who fumbled on its first play from scrimmage, Cam Ward has become the NCAA Div. I leader for career passing touchdowns, hitting Jacolby George for a score. Ward is 4 of 5 for 44 while Damien Martinez broke free for a 75-yard rushing score, giving him 84 yards on the ground.

Touchdown Iowa State! Following the decision by replay, Hansen makes it two touchdowns in the first quarter, plunging in from a yard out to give Iowa State the 21-14 lead with 2:23 left in the first quarter. The Cyclones covered 65 yards on five plays, highlighted by the 49-yard pass-and-catch by Becht to Noel.

First-and-goal Iowa State! Rocco Becht finds Jaylin Noel, as he uses a double-move to get by the Miami defensive back. The play was originally called a touchdown on the field, but replay leaves the ball just short of the end zone. There was also a penalty for a hit to the head on Becht after. 

High-flying teams, Pop-Tarts! We should have known when this happened we were in for a score-fest, as the Pop-Tarts came flying out.

Offenses rolling: Through 11 minutes, there have been 10 first downs and 224 total yards of offense so far with 28 points and a turnover. Iowa State is averaging 7.7 yards per rush with Miami averaging 17.6 thanks to the 75-yard TD run by Damien Martinez. 

Miami touchdown: Cam Ward showing why he was a Heisman finalist, breaking the career DI record for passing touchdowns with his 156th to Jacolby George. The 4-yard touchdown ties this one up at 14-14 with 4:12 left in the first. Ward was 4-for-4 for 44 yards on the drive, finding George twice for 24 yards. 

Touchdown Iowa State! And we have ourselves an old-fashion shootout going, as Carson Hansen breaks away from the Miami defense and runs into the end zone. That is the third touchdown in three straight possessions for the two, as Iowa State ow leads Miami 14-7 with 8:34 to play in the first quarter. Hansen’s TD run covered 30 yards, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive that took up 2:36 with Becht running for 12, completing two passes and Jaylin Noel adding 12 yards on a reverse.

Miami touchdown: The Hurricanes answer right back, this time getting the snap and handing off to Damien Martinez. From there, the Oregon State transfer breaks free, going 75 yards to the end zone. Martinez was able to run through the first wave of defenders and out-sprint the rest. Iowa State 7, Miami 7 with 11:10 to go in the first quarter. 

Iowa State minus star WR: Jayden Higgins, one-half of the talented wide receiver due with Jaylin Noel, is not dressed and will not play today. Big loss for Rocco Becht and the Iowa State offense. Darien Porter, another senior for the Cyclones, also took part in warmups but will not play. 

Touchdown Iowa State! The Cyclones take advantage of the Miami turnover, as Rocco Becht hits Gabe Burkle in the back of the end zone for six. Iowa State leads Miami, 7-0, with 11:23 left in the first. A seven-play, 22-yard drive ends in a touchdown as Becht completed 3 of 4 to two different receivers. That was the third straight game ISU has started with an opening drive TD.

Conversion Iowa State! On fourth-and-short, the Cyclones opt to go for it, with Carson Hansen converting with a 4-yard run to the Miami 9.

Iowa State Turnover! On the very first place from scrimmage, Miami fumbles the ball on a bad snap from center to QB Cam Ward. The Cyclones pounce on it, as they will take over at the Miami 22. Cael Brezina was the Iowa State player to fall on it.

Pregame Updates

After opening as a favorite due to the likely factor that Cam Ward would not play, Iowa State enters the game an underdog. Miami is favored by four points with the over/under now set at 57.5 points for the game.

The forecast is perfect, as it will be in the 70s throughout with plenty of sunshine and no signs of rain for the duration of the game.

The viral sensation known as the Pop-Tarts Bowl has definitely taken over social media in the hours leading up to kickoff.

More Iowa State & Big 12 Analysis

* Scouting Iowa State's bowl opponent, the Miami Hurricanes

* Bowl predictions for the entire Big 12 Conference

* Miami head coach on what Iowa State is as a program

* College Gameday crew offers Pop-Tarts Bowl predictions

Published |Modified
Dana Becker
DANA BECKER

Dana Becker has been a sports writer in Iowa since 2000, writing for The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others. Dana resides in north-central Iowa.

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