• Iowa State clinched a historic 42-41 win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, marking their first-ever 11-win season, with quarterback Rocco Becht scoring the game-winning touchdown and earning MVP honors.
• Miami’s frustrations boiled over in the first half with an on-field altercation between teammates Simeon Barrow Jr. and Marquise Lightfoot, highlighting tension after a disappointing end to their season.
• The Pop-Tarts Bowl added its signature humor, including a toaster-shaped trophy and a “toasted” mascot, as Iowa State celebrated a milestone victory while Miami reflected on missed opportunities.

Iowa State secured a thrilling 42-41 victory over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday, marking the Cyclones’ first-ever 11-win season. The game-winning moment came in the final minute when quarterback Rocco Becht scored on a fourth-and-goal run with just 56 seconds left. Becht, named the game’s MVP, delivered an impressive performance, amassing 270 passing yards and three touchdowns.

The game wasn’t without drama, however. Tensions flared on the Miami sidelines during the first half when senior Simeon Barrow Jr. and freshman Marquise Lightfoot clashed. Barrow threw a punch, and Lightfoot retaliated by shoving him, prompting teammates and coaches to intervene. This altercation underscored the frustration within the Hurricanes, who had entered the bowl game with dashed hopes after losing to Syracuse in the final week of the regular season. That loss had eliminated them from the ACC title race and the College Football Playoff.

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Despite Miami’s early struggles, including allowing 21 points in the first quarter, the Hurricanes briefly regained momentum. Star quarterback Cam Ward, a projected first-round NFL Draft pick, helped Miami take a 31-28 lead by halftime before sitting out the second half. However, the Cyclones rallied, with Becht’s decisive touchdown capping a back-and-forth contest.

Off the field, the Pop-Tarts Bowl maintained its lighthearted brand of entertainment. After the game, a Pop-Tarts mascot was ceremoniously “toasted,” and Iowa State celebrated with a unique toaster-shaped trophy.

This victory represents a historic milestone for Iowa State (11-2), a program that had never won more than nine games in a single season before this year. Meanwhile, Miami (9-4) will likely reflect on a season that began with promise but ended in disappointment, both on and off the field.

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