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    • 5 numbers that stood out in Iowa State football’s win over Baylor
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    5 numbers that stood out in Iowa State football’s win over Baylor

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

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    AMES – A special teams touchdown, hundreds of yards of offense and an undefeated start in five games.

    Iowa State football’s game against Baylor on Saturday had a lot to offer as the Cyclones overcame an early deficit to defeat the Bears 43-21. Iowa State is off to a 5-0 start to the season and a 2-0 record in the Big 12 Conference.

    Here are five numbers that tell the story of Iowa State’s win over Baylor.

    1…as in a (blocked) punt that was returned for a touchdown

    Iowa State scored its first touchdown of the game with 6:10 left in the second quarter. Less than two minutes later – one minute and 22 seconds to be exact – the Cyclones scored again.

    That’s how it happened. Baylor’s snap on the punt went a little too deep, and the Bears punter caused the ball to wobble. He picked it up and tried to deflect the punt, but Myles Mendeszoon rushed in and blocked the kick.

    Right place, right time as the ball bounced right into Caden Matson’s path as he got past his blocker. He grabbed the ball and returned it 25 yards to the end zone. Matson’s touchdown gave Iowa State its first lead of the game.

    4 … as the lead changed hands four times

    Baylor started with a touchdown. Iowa State added a field goal before the end of the first quarter, then took the lead with two touchdowns and another field goal in the second quarter – although the Bears went into the end zone again.

    The Bears responded with a third touchdown on the first drive of the second half, but it didn’t take long for the Cyclones to be back on top. Iowa State stayed there and added two more touchdowns: one in the final minute of the third quarter and another early in the fourth.

    Add another field goal and Iowa State ensured the Bears couldn’t mount a comeback.

    7…like the seventh game in a row with a Jayden Higgins touchdown

    The streak stays alive.

    Looking back to last season, Higgins scored at least one touchdown in seven straight games. And he shows no signs of slowing down. That touchdown came late in the third with the Cyclones already leading 26-21.

    Three plays after converting the 4th-and-2 pass – on a 22-yard pass to Higgins – Rocco Becht found Higgins on an 11-yard pass for another touchdown. Higgins led all Cyclones receivers with 116 yards — an average of 14.5 yards per catch — and a touchdown. He caught a long throw from 25 yards.

    44…as in 44 years since Iowa State’s last start was 5-0

    Iowa State’s five-game unbeaten start is historic. The last time the Cyclones were 5-0 was in 1980, and this is just the fifth time ever that Iowa State football has gotten off to a flawless start in its first five meetings.

    Saturday’s win also marked the first time since 2020 that the Cyclones started conference play 2-0.

    500…so more than 500 yards of total offense

    Iowa State finished the game with 542 yards of total offense: 277 passing yards and 265 rushing yards. It was the first time since November 26, 2021, when the Cyclones amassed 541 yards against TCU.

    Becht passed to Jayden Higgins for 116 yards, to Jaylin Noel for 98 yards, to Ben Brahmer for 49 yards and sent a 14-yard pass to Tyler Moore.

    On the ground, Jaylon Jackson led the way with 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Carson Hansen ran for 97 yards, Becht added 28 yards on three keepers – including a long of 15 – and Abu Sama, Easton Miller and Noel combined for 33 yards.

    Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

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    Madoc Meredith
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