Cincinnati runs over No. 14 Iowa State in first half, goes over the top to clinch first ranked win since 2021

Cincinnati poured on more than 600 yards against FCS Northwestern State. The Bearcats eclipsed that mark again to open Big 12 play while pulling off a dramatic victory over Kansas.

Their offense couldn't be stopped in the first half Saturday against No. 14 Iowa State, either.

The Cyclones entered Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium undefeated. They had trailed just 28 seconds the entire year and allowed 14.2 points per game over their 5-0 start.

Then Cincinnati spun Iowa State around and thrust itself into the Big 12 title conversation.

The Bearcats (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) scored on all five of their first-half possessions, piling up four touchdowns and 342 yards along the way. Iowa State (5-1, 2-1) threatened a comeback, at one point turning a 24-point deficit into a nine-point game in the second half, but Cincinnati held on to win 38-30.

Cincinnati rode a three-pronged rushing attack to their first victory over an AP Top 25 opponent since 2021, a season in which the Bearcats made the four-team College Football Playoff.

Running back Evan Pryor led the way with 111 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Tawee Walker wasn't far behind with 89 yards on the ground.

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby found pay dirt with a 20-yard keeper that put the Bearcats up 31-7 late in the second quarter. He put Iowa State away in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass to speedster Caleb Goodie, who caught a deep ball and raced for an 82-yard, catch-and-run score.

Sorsby entered the day ranked sixth among all FBS players in total offense per game. He accounted for 278 yards against Iowa State, throwing for 214 yards and rushing for 64 more.

Both of Iowa State's first-half touchdowns arrived on quarterback runs, which bookended the second quarter. Rocco Becht cut back for a 14-yard score on the first play of the frame and then surged forward for a 4-yard score on an untimed down just before intermission.

His second trip to the end zone followed a defensive pass interference penalty that extended the first half. Becht, who missed some time the previous drive after he was the victim of face mask and targeting penalties on a flag-ridden sack, made the most of the opportunity for points. The Cyclones dove into their bag of tricks for a two-point conversion that made it a 31-15 game at halftime.

Becht finished 30 of 48 for 314 yards through the air to go along with his four total touchdowns.

The first of his two passing scores came on a 11-yard throw to wide receiver Brett Eskildsen midway through the third quarter.

Becht's second aerial touchdown strike was too little, too late. After Goodie took the top off Iowa State's defense, Becht converted three fourth downs: a fourth-and-5, a fourth-and-11 and a fourth-and-goal that saw him fire a 3-yard score to wideout Chase Sowell.

Although 6-foot-7 tight end Benjamin Brahmer played some basketball in the end zone for a two-point conversion reception, the Cyclones' onside kick was easily recovered by Cincinnati.

Kicking didn't do Iowa State any favors. Walk-on Chase Smith also pushed a 35-yard field goal right in the second quarter, rendering a 14-play, 58-yard drive that took up 7:12 of clock obsolete.

Iowa State began Saturday with the second-fewest penalties per game (2.6) and third-fewest penalty yards per game (22.6) in the country this season.

But Matt Campbell's team committed eight penalties for 60 yards against Cincinnati. Campbell himself was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after Becht's third-and-7 pass fell incomplete and Iowa State went three-and-out on its first drive of the fourth quarter.

Cincinnati had a bunch of dirty laundry, too. The Bearcats were flagged 13 times for 128 yards. Plus, Walker fumbled an option pitch in the third quarter.

But timely fourth-down stops and a fourth-quarter haymaker that saw Goodie reel in a downfield pass and sprint for six proved sufficient for the Bearcats, who dominated the first half.

Cincinnati fans stormed the field, celebrating a team that's suddenly demanding attention in the Big 12.