Iowa State received ample time to think about what’s gone wrong in the month of October thanks to a much-needed bye week after two consecutive conference losses.
Still, that doesn’t mean the journey ahead is any easier, as freshman phenom Bear Bachmeier and No. 11 BYU will try to block the Cyclones’ road to Big 12 redemption on Saturday in Ames, Iowa.
Last time out, the Cyclones (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) were keen on avenging a one-possession loss to Cincinnati. Much of the same happened at Colorado as they went scoreless in the fourth quarter while losing 24-17.
With a week off, Iowa State has been focusing on healing and rejuvenating with BYU (7-0, 4-0) coming to town.
“I say this every year, you’re going to have adversity, you’re going to have tough days … and how we respond to it defines who we become,” Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said. “I look forward to the challenge. It’s what I love about it and what I love about our kids.”
The bye week allowed running back Carson Hansen to return to full health after missing the second half against Cincinnati and all of the Colorado game with a concussion. Hansen has had a productive season so far with 348 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Having the two-headed ground attack of Hansen and Abu Sama III will be a sign of relief for Campbell and the Cyclones. Sama was one of the bright spots against the Buffaloes, piling up 177 yards on 24 carries while scoring both of Iowa State’s TDs.
The Cyclones are 3-0 this season when Sama and Hansen have 10 or more carries each. Doing so would take the pressure off quarterback Rocco Becht, who has thrown for 1,622 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions in seven games.
Iowa State, however, could be without star defensive tackle Domonique Orange, who was considered questionable after missing practice on Tuesday.
The potential loss of the hard-nosed interior linemen could be costly for the Cyclones as they brace for the Cougars’ smash-mouth football.
BYU ranks 10th in the country in rushing yards per game (232.9) and 17th in yards per carry (5.54). The running attack is spearheaded by the one-two punch of LJ Martin and Bachmeier.
Martin has the fourth most rushing yards in the country (774), while Bachmeier is tied for 15th with right rushing TDs. The Cougars have run the ball at least 34 times in every game this season.
Bachmeier also is a weapon when passing, proving to be composed and collected. He has passed for 1,386 yards while completing 62.7% of his passes to go along with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
“We just need to make sure that we keep putting him in position where he can really thrive and stay humble and stay hungry,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “The standard that we’ve set, … he does that automatically.”
The Cougars will try to register their first-ever victory over Iowa State. BYU is 0-5 in a series that dates back to 1968. In the most recent matchup, Iowa State cruised to a 45-13 victory in November 2023 at Provo, Utah.
