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Editor’s note: The ninth installment of a nine-part series examining the Iowa State football squad in advance of the August 23 start of the season.
AMES Rocco Becht is transparent.
When things get rough, Iowa State’s soon-to-be third-year starting quarterback never avoids the spotlight. Regardless of the general success of the Cyclones, he nevertheless frequently discusses his own flaws candidly.
Therefore, it’s not shocking that Becht doesn’t focus on her prior achievements or shortcomings.
He is all about the future, and in this case, it means playing Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday at 11 a.m. (Iowa time) to start the season.
Becht spoke of the special Big 12 game against the Wildcats, “This rivalry has shown me how great it is for these fans in both programs.” We’ll see how it goes next week, but I’m eager to get a third (like this game) in the rounds.
For the third consecutive season, Becht is equally excited to see the quarterbacks behind him vie for the backup position. Redshirt freshman Connor Moberly probably secures that No. 2 place due to his experience and development, but Alex Manske, a four-star true freshman, has impressed coaches with his skills following a good recovery from a surgery-related UCL injury.
Regarding Manske, ISU offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser remarked, “That guy can extend plays.” He’s a good runner. He checks all the boxes because of his incredible arm strength, but what really stands out is how that person appears when he’s playing for our offense. You would have assumed that he had been in (our) system for a few years.
As he advances into his second season with Mouser’s scheme, Moberly has shown equally excellent play. He also satisfies every need by combining cunning with quickness and arm strength, which he demonstrated during his limited playing time as Becht’s backup the previous season.
ISU quarterbacks coach Jake Waters stated, “He’s learning how crucial our decision making is at quarterback and everything that we have to do.” He’s handling it really well. For him, every element has been enormous. Seeing his growth has been amazing.
From making decisions and identifying weaknesses in opposing defenses to calming down emotional outbursts and growing as a leader, Becht has been honing every aspect of his broad skill set. No returning FBS quarterback has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 18 straight games, including the past Big 12 offensive freshman of the year.
Becht, who won MVP in last year’s 42-41 Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over Miami, said, “He’s a master of everything we throw at (him).” While he’s tossing things way over my head, Coach Waters has done a fantastic job of just breaking down that guy’s inches from foot angles.
Becht had been attempting to completely escape her own thoughts. Flushing both good and poor plays. maintaining composure for the rest of the Cyclones offense each week, regardless of the opponent or the stakes.
Becht stated, “I believe I’ve matured significantly.” That, in my opinion, comes from deepening my trust a little more and realizing that, despite my occasional poor play, practice, or game, I will learn from it and become more self-assured as a result. So, keeping my chin up and not feeling horrible about myself when something bad happens is absolutely something I’ve been focusing on. Simply keeping in mind the next play mentality, knowing that there will be something better in the future.
Perhaps that stoic mindset will help them defeat the Wildcats on the Emerald Isle next Saturday. Due to early difficulties and a few errors, Becht could have to rely on it. The 6-1, 210-pound junior from Wesley Chapel, Florida, won’t be taken by surprise in any case. From a humiliating defeat in the Big 12 championship game to leading his team to an unprecedented 11-win season, he has seen and done it all.
ISU head coach Matt Campbell described him as a man who is unrelenting in his quest to reach his full potential. I have always thought that curiosity kills complacency, and it has for Becht, as long as you have it.
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