Jack Trice Stadium has a way of swallowing visitors whole. If you were sitting in those stands on August 30, 2025, you didn't just see a football game; you saw a clinic. The final score read 55-7, and honestly, it felt every bit that lopsided.
People often look at Iowa State vs South Dakota football matchups as simple "cupcake" games. You know the narrative. Big 12 powerhouse hosts an FCS school, collects the win, and moves on. But that’s a shallow way to look at it. This specific game was a statement of intent for a Cyclones team that had just returned from a season-opening victory over Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland.
Coming off the jet lag of a trans-Atlantic flight, Matt Campbell’s squad could have easily slept-walked through this one. They didn't.
The Rocco Becht Accuracy Clinic
Rocco Becht is a name that’s going to be etched in Ames lore for a long time. Against the Coyotes, he wasn't just good; he was surgically precise. He started the game completing his first 14 passes. Just think about that. In a game of inches and high-speed collisions, he didn't miss a target until deep into the contest.
Becht finished 19-of-20 for 278 yards. That’s a 95% completion rate. He threw three touchdowns, and curiously enough, every single one of them went to a tight end.
- Benjamin Brahmer caught two scores (4 yards and 3 yards).
- Gabe Burkle broke two tackles on a 16-yard rumble to the end zone.
It’s sorta rare to see a team lean that heavily on the big guys in the red zone, but South Dakota simply had no answer for the size mismatch. The Coyotes came in ranked No. 4 in the FCS preseason polls, but the gap between top-tier FBS and top-tier FCS looked like a canyon that afternoon.
The 63-Yard Bomb You Had to See to Believe
While the touchdowns were flashy, the real highlight that had everyone’s jaw on the floor happened right before halftime.
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Kyle Konrardy stepped up for a field goal. Now, usually, when a kicker comes out with seconds left on the clock from his own side of the field, it’s a prayer. Konrardy didn't pray; he delivered. He blasted a 63-yard field goal that set both a school and a stadium record.
The ball didn't just clear the crossbar. It cleared it with room to spare.
That kick sent Iowa State into the locker room up 27-7, and you could practically feel the air leave the South Dakota sideline. If a team can score from 63 yards out with no time left, how do you stop them?
South Dakota’s Missed Opportunities
Honestly, South Dakota didn't play "bad" football in the first quarter. Aidan Bouman, their quarterback, led a really impressive 12-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game at 7-7 early on. Larenzo Fenner caught a 6-yard touchdown pass that made things look like we were in for a shootout.
But then the Iowa State defense adjusted.
The Coyotes were held to just 209 total yards. Their rushing attack, which had been a powerhouse in the FCS the previous year, was stifled to just 83 yards.
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- Aidan Bouman: 15/29, 126 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
- Charles Pierre Jr.: 49 rushing yards on 13 carries
Once Jamison Patton snagged his third career interception, the momentum flipped for good. You've got to give credit to the Cyclones' defensive coordinator, Jon Heacock. His "cloud" coverage and 3-man fronts made the windows for Bouman look like portholes on a submarine.
Why This Game Actually Mattered
If you’re just a casual fan, you might think a 48-point blowout is meaningless. You’d be wrong.
For Iowa State, this was about depth. We saw Dylan Lee lead the team with 81 rushing yards. We saw freshman quarterback Alex Manske come in and look poised, even scoring a rushing touchdown of his own.
It was also the 100th career victory for Matt Campbell. He’s the third-longest tenured coach in the Big 12, and he’s basically rebuilt the identity of Iowa State football from the ground up. Winning your 100th game by nearly 50 points in front of a packed home crowd? That's the stuff of movies.
Breaking Down the Numbers (The Prose Version)
Iowa State dominated almost every statistical category. They notched 28 first downs compared to South Dakota’s 11. They outgained the Coyotes 529 to 209 in total yardage.
Perhaps the most telling stat was third-down efficiency. The Cyclones converted 9 out of 10 third downs. That is an absurd number. It means the offense was never "behind the sticks." They were consistently in 3rd-and-short or 3rd-and-medium, making it easy for Becht to find his tight ends over the middle.
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South Dakota, meanwhile, struggled to stay on the field, winning only 5 of their 12 third-down attempts. They punted five times. Iowa State? They didn't punt a single time. Not once.
Key Performance Nuggets
- Brett Eskildsen: Caught a 66-yarder on the very first play of the game.
- Aiden Flora: Nearly had a 99-yard punt return touchdown, but his toe just barely grazed the sideline at the 33. He still finished with 117 return yards.
- Tyler Moore: Another tight end who chipped in with two catches for 33 yards.
Historical Context of the Series
This wasn't the first time these two met, but it was the first time in a generation. Before the 2025 game, the last matchup was all the way back in 1959.
Iowa State has actually won all ten meetings between these schools dating back to 1899. It’s a lopsided history, sure, but the Coyotes came into this 2025 matchup with more hype than they’d ever had. They were fresh off an FCS semifinal run in 2024. They had a veteran QB.
The reality is that Iowa State is currently operating at a level where "trap games" don't really happen under Campbell. They treat an FCS opponent with the same film-study intensity they give to Kansas State or Iowa.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at future Iowa State vs South Dakota football matchups or similar Big 12/FCS pairings, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Tight Ends: Iowa State’s offensive identity is built through the "Y" position. If they have a height advantage, they will exploit it until the defense proves they can stop it.
- Accuracy Over Arm Strength: Rocco Becht’s success isn't just about throwing it through a brick wall. It’s about timing. Look for completion percentages over 70% as a sign of a blowout.
- Special Teams Matter: A kicker like Konrardy who can hit from 60+ is a weapon that changes how coaches manage the end of halves.
- The "Ireland Effect": Don't assume a team will be tired after a long trip. Sometimes the bonding of an international game actually sharpens a team's focus for the home opener.
The 2025 clash was a reminder that while South Dakota is a formidable force in their own right within the FCS, the Cyclones are currently a well-oiled machine. Between Becht’s record-setting accuracy and a defense that doesn't know how to quit, Iowa State is proving they belong in the upper echelon of the new-look Big 12.
Keep an eye on the development of the younger guys like Dylan Lee and Alex Manske. If this game was any indication, the cupboard in Ames is far from empty.