AP PHOTO - Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) catches a touchdown pass in front of Baylor safety DJ Coleman (33) during the second half of a Big 12 Conference football game Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Iowa State won 43-21.

AMES — Rocco Becht threw for 277 yards and two touchdown to lead No. 16 Iowa State to a 43-21 win over Baylor on Saturday night.

The Cyclones (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) wiped out an early deficit and another in the third quarter and are off to their best start since 1980. Baylor (2-4, 0-3) lost its third straight game.

“I think it’s the mental toughness that everybody has and the ability to stay consistent,” Becht said. “The ability to keep our head down and keep driving no matter what the score and record is”

Becht’s TD passes were 10 yards to Benjamin Brahmer and 11 yards to Jayden Higgins, who extended his streak of games with a touchdown reception to seven. Becht was 16 of 25 for 277 yards.

“I can’t say enough about what this kid has done for us,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “He’s playing as good as anyone right now and I’m really proud of what he’s done.”

Jaylon Jackson led the Cyclones rushing attack with 107 yards and his first two touchdowns for Iowa State since transferring from Eastern Michigan.

“It felt amazing,” Jackson said. “Shoutout to the offensive line and all my teammates and coaches that allowed it to happen.”

The Cyclones rushed for 265 yards, their third straight game over 200, and finished with 542 yards total, their most in two seasons.

Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. His TD passes were 4 yards to Josh Cameron, 8 yards to Michael Trigg and 25 yards to Ketron Jackson Jr.

“We started fast and with a lot of good energy and execution, but at times we had some missed executions,” Baylor head coach Dava Aranda said.

The Takeaway

Baylor: The Bears came into the game off two straight close losses, and they opened this game with two long touchdown drives and another to start the second half. Then the offense stalled. The Bears managed just 63 yards on its final four possessions, which included an interception and three three-and-outs.

Iowa State: Becht continues to be a steady presence, and the emergence of Jackson has upgraded the running game.

Poll Implications

Iowa State is poised to move up a spot or two after losses by teams ahead of it.

Block party

Iowa State’s blocked punt for a touchdown in the second quarter was the first since 2004 against Northern Illinois. Myles Mendeszoon got the block and Caden Matson ran it back 25 yards.

Up next

Baylor: visits Texas Tech next Saturday.

Iowa State: visits West Virginia next Saturday.

No. 16 Iowa St. 43, Baylor 21

At Ames

Baylor 7 7 7 0 — 21

Iowa St. 3 16 14 10 — 43

First Quarter

BAY–Cameron 4 pass from Robertson (Hankins kick), 6:32.

ISU–FG Konrardy 45, 3:19.

Second Quarter

BAY–Trigg 8 pass from Robertson (Hankins kick), 13:46.

ISU–FG Konrardy 38, 10:34.

ISU–Brahmer 10 pass from Becht (kick failed), 6:10.

ISU–Matson 25 punt return (Konrardy kick), 4:46.

Third Quarter

BAY–K.Jackson 25 pass from Robertson (Hankins kick), 12:55.

ISU–J.Jackson 10 run (Konrardy kick), 10:33.

ISU–Higgins 11 pass from Becht (Konrardy kick), :40.

Fourth Quarter

ISU–J.Jackson 20 run (Konrardy kick), 11:31.

ISU–FG Konrardy 22, 2:16.

A–61,500.

TEAM STATISTICS

BAY ISU

First downs 21 27

Total Net Yards 337 542

Rushes-yards 20-79 45-265

Passing 258 277

Comp-Att-Int 25-44-1 16-25-1

Punts 5-37.8 0-0.0

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 6-74 4-55

Time of Possession 24:06 35:54

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING–Baylor, Washington 8-28, Pendergrass 9-27. Iowa St., J.Jackson 15-107, Hansen 15-97.

PASSING–Baylor, Robertson 25-44-1-258. Iowa St., Becht 16-25-1-277.

RECEIVING–Baylor, Trigg 6-61, K.Jackson 5-66, Presley 5-57. Iowa St., Higgins 8-116, Noel 5-98, Brahmer 2-49.