Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht took the opportunity in front of him and ran with it. Becht was the backup to Hunter Dekkers coming out of a 4-8 season but won the starting job after Dekkers was sidelined by a gambling investigation. He was named the Big 12 freshman of the year on offense and the Cyclones take a 7-5 record into Friday’s Liberty Bowl against Memphis.

Becht says he and the team have made great strides since coming out of the 4-8 season in 2022.

With Cartevious Norton and Eli Sanders in the transfer portal freshman Abu Sama rushed for 276 yards and three touchdowns in a win at Kansas State. He will get the bulk of the work against Memphis.

Beck says the running backs as a group are talented.