ORLANDO, Fla. –

Iowa State was 84 yards away from a historic 11th win. It was a situation the team had faced before. It was a situation the team had been preparing for since January.

To ask Cyclones coach Matt Campbell about the difference between this team and his others, it came down to leadership. It was quarterback Rocco Becht’s toughness and desire to make history for the program.

Fifteen plays later, a game that featured four scoring plays of 20 or more yards and touchdowns on eight of the game’s first nine drives came down to a single yard, and Becht rushed No. 1 for the game-winning score with 53 seconds left. 18 Cyclones’ a 42-41 victory over No. 13 Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

The victory gave Iowa State its first 11-win season in program history and capped a program-defining season.

“We’ve been in situations like this before,” Becht said. “We practice it all the time. I think our team has the poise and confidence to act in the biggest moments. And that’s what we did.”

The Cyclones (11-3) needed a last-minute go-ahead in wins over UCF and Utah this season – they gained 80 yards in 11 plays to beat UCF on a one-yard rush by Becht with 30 seconds left for 75 yards in 10 plays to defeat Utah on a 1-yard rush by Carson Hansen with 1:31 to play.

That helped Iowa State pick up wins and reach the Big 12 championship game for the second time in program history. Only a 45-19 loss to Arizona State in the conference championship game kept the Cyclones out of the College Football Playoff.

The team rebounded in the bowl game, finishing the season and leaving their mark on Iowa State history.

“This team has faced a lot of adversity with some really serious injuries that we have dealt with all year. They never batted an eyelid,” Campbell said. “Our ability to just keep playing. You only do that if the locker room demands it and the seniors who lead the football team have shown up every day since January and believe in it and work.”

Becht, the senior quarterback, finished the game with 270 yards on 22-for-35 passing. He threw three touchdowns and rushed the game-winning drive on his way to being named the game’s MVP. Jaylin Noel caught eight passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Carson Hansen rushed for 82 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns.

It took the entire team to finish this race and achieve this historic victory. The defense completed its task by intercepting backup quarterback Emory Williams’ pass after a last-second Hail Mary, securing the win.

Without the team Campbell assembled and the way they came together to build this program, this would have been unthinkable.

“You lose the lead for eternity,” Campbell said. “What you hope is that the next group learns from the great leaders and they have the ability when their turn comes to take over and continue to lead what greatness looks like.”

Campbell has led Iowa State to bowl games in seven of the last eight seasons. The program has been to just eight bowl games in the past 16 seasons.

“I love this team so much,” Noel said. “I love the coach for everything he has done for me. This team means a lot to me. There’s no better way to come out than being a champion.”