(Orlando, Florida) No. 18 Iowa State (11-3, 7-2 Big 12) rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to edge No. 15 Miami (10-3, 6-2 ACC) in a thrilling 42-41 victory during the high-scoring Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday afternoon at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
The defense from both teams failed to make stops in the first half with the Cyclones, and the Hurricane offenses scoring on their first four possessions. Iowa State struck first after capitalizing on a Miami turnover, as Gabe Burkle hauled in his first career touchdown reception—a 9-yard pass from Rocco Becht—seven plays later.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Miami’s Damien Martinez, who led all rushers with 179 yards, broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run on the Hurricanes’ second play from scrimmage, knotting the score at 7-7. Iowa State’s Eli Hansen powered the offense early with two first-quarter rushing touchdowns, including a 30-yard sprint that set a new Cyclones bowl record for longest rushing score.
Meanwhile, Miami quarterback Cam Ward kept pace, throwing two touchdown passes in the first half, including a 40-yard strike to Joshisa Trader to tie the game at 21-21. Hansen answered again in the second quarter, catching a 13-yard touchdown pass from Becht—his third score of the day—to put Iowa State ahead 28-21. Miami quickly responded with Ward connecting on a 33-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Arroyo, knotting the score at 28-28. The Hurricanes took a slim 31-28 lead into halftime, thanks to a 30-yard field goal by Andres Borregales in the final seconds of the second quarter.
In the second half, both defenses stepped up, but Miami’s star quarterback, Cam Ward, chose to sit out. Miami extended their lead to 38-28 with a 10-play, 71-yard touchdown drive early in the half. However, the Cyclones’ offense came alive after three stalled drives. Hansen broke free for a 27-yard rush, and Isaiah Alston hauled in a 13-yard pass near the goal line, setting up a four-yard touchdown catch by Noel from Becht to close the gap to 38-35 late in the third quarter.
Trailing 41-35 with under six minutes left, Becht orchestrated a remarkable 15-play, 84-yard drive. It culminated in a dramatic touchdown dive on 4th-and-goal, giving the Cyclones their first lead of the second half with just 59 seconds remaining. The Cyclone defense held firm, sealing a thrilling 42-41 victory.
Despite the loss Miami (Fla) totaled 524 yards of offense, 308 rushing , and 216 passing. On the flip side, the Cyclones totaled 415 yards of offense, 145 rushing , and 270 passing. Jaylin Noel caught eight passes for 117 yards, and one touchdown. Eli Hansen carried the ball sixteen times for 88 yards, and two touchdowns to lead the Cyclones ground attack. Damien Martinez led all runners for Miami with 14 carries for 179 yards, including a 79 yard touchdown run.
