Cyclones try to snap out of funk

By DANA BECKER

dbecker@messengernews.net

AMES — The Iowa State football team will look for a little Jack Trice Stadium good fortune on Saturday night when they return home to face Cincinnati.

Coming off back-to-back losses, the Cyclones (7-2 overall, 4-2 in the Big 12) need a victory over the Bearcats (5-4, 3-3) to keep any hope alive of reaching the conference title game.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the game airing live on FOX.

After starting the season with seven consecutive wins, everything seemed to be going smoothly for ISU head coach Matt Campbell’s squad. But injuries have hit the Cyclones hard, resulting in losses at home to Texas Tech and on the road last week vs. Kansas in Kansas City

“Sitting here on Saturday night, you can say whatever you want,” Campbell said following the loss to the Jayhawks. “But the reality is what shows up (this) Saturday. The kids didn’t quit, and that’s one thing I love about our kids is they have great character, we have great leadership and great coaching.

“But the reality is how are you when things are not going great.”

The night-time setting has been good to Iowa State this year, as the Cyclones are 4-0 in night games and 2-0 at home.

Rocco Becht, coming off a 300-plus yard passing game at Arrowhead Stadium last week, has thrown for 2,394 yards and 16 touchdowns, completing 61 percent of his passes. Jaylin Noel has 892 yards receiving with five TDs, while Jayden Higgins has 791 and seven scores.

Cincinnati has gone 3-4 in games decided by 11 points or less this year, including a one-point setback to Pittsburgh. Brendan Sorsby, a transfer from Indiana, has thrown for over 2,300 yards with 16 touchdowns. He had 441 yards vs. Texas Tech with three passing TDs earlier this year.

At Indiana, Sorsby had almost 1,600 yards passing and 15 scores.

“I think it goes to that word that all these great quarterbacks are having right now,” Campbell said. “It’s multiplicity. He’s a really good runner. I think that at first glance, he’s big, he’s got great confidence in the pocket, and an ability to extend plays in the red zone.”

The only other meeting between the two game last season, with Iowa State winning at Cincinnati, 30-10. Campbell is 2-1 all-time vs. the Bearcats.