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{{Short description|Football team of Iowa State University}}
{{Infobox NCAA football school
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}{{Infobox NCAA football school
| CurrentSeason = 2014 Iowa State Cyclones football team
| TeamName = Iowa State Cyclones football
| CurrentSeason = 2024 Iowa State Cyclones football team
| Image = Iowa State Cyclones logo.svg
| TeamName = Iowa State Cyclones football
| Image = Iowa State Cyclones logo.svg
| ImageSize = 125px
| ImageSize = 150
| HeadCoachDisplay = Paul Rhoads
| FirstYear = [[1892 Iowa Agricultural Cardinals football team|1892]]; {{Years or months ago|1892}}
| HeadCoachLink = Paul Rhoads
| AthleticDirector = [[Jamie Pollard]]
| HeadCoachYear = 5th
| HeadCoach =[[Matt Campbell (American football coach)|Matt Campbell]]
| HCWins = 27
| HCLosses = 36
| HeadCoachYear = 9th
| HCWins = 64 <!-- As of games through 1/1/2025 -->
| Stadium = Jack Trice Stadium
| HCLosses = 51 <!-- As of games through 1/1/2025 -->
| StadCapacity = 56,800 (Actual Seats: 44,529)
| Stadium = [[Jack Trice Stadium]]
| StadSurface = Grass
| StadCapacity = 61,500
| Location = [[Ames, Iowa]]
| StadSurface = Grass
| League = [[Division I (NCAA)|NCAA Division I]]
| Location = [[Ames, Iowa]]
| ConferenceDisplay= Big 12
| NCAAdivision = I FBS
| ConferenceLink = Big 12 Conference
| PastAffiliations = [[NCAA Division I-A independent schools|Independent]] (1892–1907)<br>Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA) (1908-1927)<br>[[Big Eight Conference|Big Six/Seven/Eight Conference]] (1928-1995)
| Conference = [[Big 12 Conference]]
| PastAffiliations = [[NCAA Division I-A independent schools|Independent]]<br />(1892–1907)<br />[[Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association|Missouri Valley]]<br />(1908-1927)<br />[[Big Eight Conference|Big Eight]]<br />(1928–1995)
| WebsiteName = cyclones.com
| FirstYear = 1892
| WebsiteURL = https://cyclones.com/sports/football
| AthlDirectorDisp = Jamie Pollard
| ATWins = 560 <!-- As of games through 10/13/2024 -->
| AthlDirectorLink = Jamie Pollard
| ATLosses = 670 <!-- As of games through 10/13/2024 -->
| WebsiteName = cyclones.com
| ATTies = 46
| WebsiteURL = http://www.cyclones.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=10700&SPID=4653&SPSID=48323
| ATWins = 507
| BowlWins = 6
| ATLosses = 610
| BowlLosses = 13
| BowlTies =
| ATTies = 46
| NatlTitles =
| ATPercentage = .456
| ConfTitles = 2 (1911, 1912)<ref name="bigeightsports.com">{{cite web|url=http://bigeightsports.com/Sports/Football/FootballChampionships.htm |title=Big Eight Conference Football Championship History Sponsored by the Big Eight Conference (1907–1995)
| BowlWins = 3
|publisher=Bigeightsports.com |access-date=2015-06-12}}</ref>
| BowlLosses = 9
| DivTitles = 1 (2004)
| BowlTies = 0
| Heismans =
| Bowl|Percentage = .250
| AllAmericans =6
| NatlTitles =
| uniform = [[File:Big12-Uniform-Iowa-State.png|250px]]
| ConfTitles = 2<ref name="bigeightsports.com">http://bigeightsports.com/Sports/Football/FootballChampionships.htm</ref>
| FightSong = [[ISU Fights]]
| DivTitles = 1
| Heismans = 0
| MascotDisplay =
| MarchingBand = [[Iowa State University Cyclone Marching Band|"Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band"]]
| AllAmericans = 3
| PagFreeLabel = Outfitter
| uniform = File:Big12-Uniform-ISU.png
| Color1 = Cardinal
| PagFreeValue = [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
| Rivalries = [[Iowa Hawkeyes Football|Iowa]] ([[Iowa–Iowa State football rivalry|rivalry]])<br />[[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]] ([[Iowa State–Kansas State football rivalry|rivalry]])<br />[[Missouri Tigers football|Missouri]] ([[Iowa State–Missouri football rivalry|rivalry]])
| Color1Hex = A71930
| Color2 = Gold<ref>http://www.cyclones.com/pdf3/91103.pdf</ref>
| Color2Hex = FDC82F
| FightSong = [[ISU Fights]]
| Mascot = Cy
| MarchingBand = [[Iowa State University Cyclone Marching Band|"Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band"]]
| PagFreeLabel = Rivals
| PagFreeValue = [[Iowa Hawkeyes Football|Iowa Hawkeyes]]<br>[[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State Wildcats]]
}}
}}


The '''Iowa State Cyclones football''' program is the [[college football|intercollegiate football]] team at [[Iowa State University]] in [[Ames, Iowa]]. The team is coached by [[Matt Campbell (American football coach)|Matt Campbell]]. The Cyclones compete in the [[Big 12 Conference]], and are a [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)]] member of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]. The Cyclones play their home games at [[Jack Trice Stadium]], with a capacity of 61,500. The Iowa State Cyclones football team drew an average home attendance of 60,384 in 2023, the 28th highest in college football.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.d1ticker.com/2023-fbs-attendance-trends/ | title=2023 FBS Attendance Trends &#124; D1 ticker | date=October 4, 2023 }}</ref>
The '''[[Iowa State Cyclones]] football''' is the [[college football|football]] team at the [[Iowa State University]] in [[Ames, Iowa]]. The team is currently coached by [[Paul Rhoads]].

The Cyclones compete in the [[Big 12 Conference]], and are currently a [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)]] member of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]. The Cyclones play their home games at [[Jack Trice Stadium]], with a capacity of 55,000.


==History==
==History==
{{Main|History of Iowa State Cyclones football}}
[[File:PopatPitt1919Owl.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Legendary coach [[Glenn Scobey Warner|"Pop" Warner]] co-coached Iowa State's earliest football teams]]
{{See also|List of Iowa State Cyclones football seasons}}
[[American football|Football]] first made its way onto the [[Iowa State University|Iowa State]] campus in 1878 as a recreational sport, but it wasn't until 1892 that an organized group of athletes first represented Iowa State in football. In 1894, college president William M. Beardshear spearheaded the foundation of an athletic association to officially sanction Iowa State football teams. The 1894 team finished with a 6&ndash;1 mark, including a 16&ndash;8 victory over what is now the [[University of Iowa]].<ref>{{cite web | year=2007|url=http://www.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/exhibits/150/template/timeline-1875.html | accessdate=2009-04-20|publisher=Iowa State University | title=History of Iowa State: Time Line, 1875-1899}}</ref>

===Early history (1892–1967)===
[[File:PopatPitt1919Owl.jpg|thumb|Legendary coach [[Pop Warner]] co-coached Iowa State's earliest football teams]]
[[American football|Football]] first made its way onto the [[Iowa State University|Iowa State]] campus in 1878 as a recreational sport, but it wasn't until 1892 that an organized group of athletes first represented Iowa State in football. In 1894, college president [[William Miller Beardshear|William M. Beardshear]] spearheaded the foundation of an athletic association to officially sanction Iowa State football teams. The 1894 team finished with a 6–1 mark, including a 16–8 victory over what is now the [[University of Iowa]].<ref>{{cite web|year=2007 |url=http://www.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/exhibits/150/template/timeline-1875.html |access-date=2009-04-20|publisher=Iowa State University|title=History of Iowa State: Time Line, 1875–1899|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410221627/http://www.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/exhibits/150/template/timeline-1875.html |archive-date=2009-04-10 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

One of the pioneers of football, [[Pop Warner]], spent time at Iowa State early in his career. In 1895 despite already being the coach at [[Georgia Bulldogs football|Georgia]] he was offered $25 per week to come to Iowa State, whose season started in mid-August while Georgia's started a month later, as well as to provide weekly advice during the rest of the season.<ref>{{Harvnb|Miller|2015|page = 19}}</ref> Soon after Warner left for Georgia, Iowa State had its first game of the season. Iowa State came into [[Evanston, Illinois|Evanston]] as the [[underdog (term)|underdog]] Iowa State then defeated [[1895 Northwestern Purple football team|Northwestern]] 36–0. A Chicago sportswriter called the team "cornfed giants from Iowa" while the&nbsp;''[[Chicago Tribune]]'''s headline read, "Struck by a [[Tornado|Cyclone]]". Since then, Iowa State teams have been known as the [[Iowa State Cyclones|Cyclones]]. Overall, the team had three wins and three losses and, like Georgia, Iowa State retained Warner for the next season. In 1896 the team had eight wins and two losses.<ref name=":0">{{Harvnb|Iowa State University|2006|page=138}}</ref> Despite leaving Cornell in 1898, Warner remained as the head coach of Iowa State for another year. During his last three years at Iowa State the team had a winning season but Warner was unable to match his 1896 triumph.<ref name=":0" /> After playing at Iowa and then serving as an assistant coach for two years, [[Clyde Williams (American football)|Clyde Williams]] came to [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]] as an assistant coach for ISU. Williams served as the Cyclones' head football coach for six seasons from 1907 to 1912. During that time, he had a coaching record of 32–15–2. This ranks him fifth at Iowa State in total wins and fourth at Iowa State in winning percentage.<ref name="Iowa State Coaching Records">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/big12/iowa_state/coaching_records.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623082856/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/big12/iowa_state/coaching_records.php|url-status=dead|title=Iowa State Coaching Records|archive-date=June 23, 2009|website=www.cfbdatawarehouse.com}}</ref> In addition, he led Iowa State to two [[Missouri Valley Conference]] football titles in 1911 and 1912, which are the only two conference football championships in school history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/big12/iowa_state/conf_champs.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706072525/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/big12/iowa_state/conf_champs.php|url-status=dead|title=Iowa State Conference Championships|archive-date=July 6, 2008|website=www.cfbdatawarehouse.com}}</ref> In addition to his football contributions Williams was the school's first [[Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball|men's basketball]] coach from 1908 to 1911, where he compiled a 20–29 record. He also served as [[Iowa State Cyclones baseball|Iowa State's]] baseball coach, and was their athletic director from 1914 to 1919. In 1914 Iowa State completed construction of their new football field and it was named [[Clyde Williams Field]] in honor of the former coach. Williams was inducted into the [[Iowa Sports Hall of Fame|State of Iowa Hall of Fame]] in 1956. He is also one of the few people inducted into both the [[University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame]] (inducted 1993) and the Iowa State athletics Hall of Fame (inducted 1997).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=605201 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828075134/http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=605201|url-status=dead|title=Williams' Iowa State Hall of Fame bio |archive-date=August 28, 2009}}</ref> The success Iowa State found in the inception of their football program was not replicated for most of the mid-20th century. In 1922 after having two different head coaches in as many years, ISU hired up-and-comer [[Sam Willaman]] away from [[East Technical High School|East Technical HS]] in [[Cleveland|Cleveland, OH]]. When Willaman came to Iowa state, he brought with him six of his former East Tech players, including [[Jack Trice]]. Trice was the first [[African-American]] player at Iowa State, and one of the first African-Americans to play football in the Midwest. Trice suffered a severe malicious injury during a game at [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] in 1923, and died from complications. In 1997, Iowa State's Cyclone Stadium was renamed Jack Trice Stadium in his honor,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/blackhistory2008/news/story?id=3242390 |title=ISU only I-A school to honor African-American in stadium name |work=ESPN |date=2008-02-15 |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> becoming the first and as of 2020, the only, major college football stadium to be named for a black man.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Longman|first=Jeré|date=2020-07-20|title=A Stadium at Iowa State Says His Name: Jack Trice|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/20/sports/Iowa-State-Jack-Trice-Stadium.html|access-date=2020-07-20|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In his first season, Willaman's team finished with a 2–6 record, but posted a winning record in each of the three years that followed. His career coaching record at Iowa state was 14–15–3. This ranks him 16th in total wins and 13th in winning percentage in Iowa State football history.<ref name="Iowa State Coaching Records"/>

[[File:George Veenker.jpg|thumb|[[George F. Veenker]] went 21–22 during his coaching career at Iowa State]]
In February 1931, [[George F. Veenker]] accepted an offer to become the head football coach for Iowa State.<ref name=CDT>{{cite news|title=Veenker Quits Michigan; Will Coach at Ames|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=1931-02-26|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/458094162.html?dids=458094162:458094162&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Feb+26,+1931&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Veenker+Quits+Michigan;+Will+Coach+at+Ames&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103085002/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/458094162.html?dids=458094162:458094162&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Feb+26,+1931&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Veenker+Quits+Michigan;+Will+Coach+at+Ames&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 3, 2012}}</ref> Under Veenker, Iowa State experienced a brief period of success. When Veenker joined Iowa State, the team was coming off a winless season in 1930 and had lost 16 consecutive games dating back to October 1929. In his first year, the 1931 team defeated [[Missouri Tigers football|Missouri]] 20–0, [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]] 13–12, and [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]] 7–6, compiling a 5–3 record and finishing in second place in the [[Big Six Conference]]. In November 1931, the ''[[Ames Tribune|Ames Daily Tribune-Times]]'' called Veenker "a veritable miracle man of football" for taking a school where "Cyclone football morale couldn't have been lower" and turning the program around in his first season. The highlight of Veenker's career as Iowa State's football coach was a 31–6 victory over the [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa Hawkeyes]] in 1934. The game was the last meeting between the two schools until 1977. Veenker resigned in 1936, leaving an overall record of 21–22–8.<ref>{{cite news|title=Veenker Quits as Grid Coach|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal|date=1935-11-30|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19361130&id=QXYxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_yEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3868,7680759&hl=en|access-date=2016-10-21|archive-date=2016-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513004446/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19361130&id=QXYxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_yEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3868,7680759&hl=en|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shortly after Veenker's death in 1959, the university-owned golf course was renamed [[Veenker Memorial Golf Course]] in his honor.<ref name=HOF>{{cite web|title=George Veenker-Hall of Fame Class of 2007 |publisher=Iowa State University |url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=885748 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808121340/http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=885748 |archive-date=2010-08-08 }}</ref> During the 1938 season, [[James J. Yeager]] was in his second year as head coach. Despite going 3–6 in 1937, the Cyclones would go on to a then-best record of 7–1–1. The team was led by outstanding senior guard, [[Ed Bock]]. At the conclusion of the season Bock became the first consensus first-team [[All-America]]n in Iowa State history.<ref>{{cite web|author=Iowa State University |url=http://www.cyclones.com/news/2004/8/2/877431.aspx |title=All-Time ISU Football Great Ed Bock Passes Away - Iowa State Athletics |publisher=Cyclones.com |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> Bock was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 1970.<ref name="footballfoundation.org">{{cite web|url=https://footballfoundation.org/news/2004/10/20/_52163.aspx?path=football|title=Bock Leaves Behind a Lasting Gridiron Legacy|work=National Football Foundation|publisher=Footballfoundation.org |date=2004-10-20 |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> In 1942, Iowa State hired former [[Green Bay Packers]] [[All-Pro]] guard and three-time [[National Football League|NFL]] champion [[Mike Michalske]] to be the new head coach. Michalske achieved moderate success in his five seasons at Iowa State, finishing with an 18–18 record. [[Abe Stuber]] took over as the Cyclones head coach in 1947 and coached the team until 1953, compiling a record of 24–38–3.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/abe-stuber-1.html |title=Abe Stuber Coaching Record &#124; College Football at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> [[Vince DiFrancesca]] was the 21st head coach at Iowa State, leading the team to a record of 6–21–1 from 1954 to 1956.<ref name="coaches">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa-state/|title=Iowa State Cyclones Coaches|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> [[Oregon State Beavers football|Oregon State]] assistant coach [[Clay Stapleton]] was the head football coach at Iowa State for ten seasons. He is known mainly for his 1959 team the "Dirty Thirty". The Cyclones' struggles continued under his tutelage. Seven-win campaigns in 1959 and 1960 were the only winning seasons of his tenure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/clay-stapleton-1.html |title=Clay Stapleton Coaching Record &#124; College Football at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> Stapleton was relieved of his duties following the 1967 season.

===Johnny Majors era (1968–1972)===
In 1968, in an attempt to turn the team around, Iowa State hired former standout [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]] running back and up-and-coming [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]] assistant [[Johnny Majors]] as the 24th head coach in program history. The rebuilding process got off to a slow start as the Cyclones finished 3–7 in his first two seasons. In 1970 the process started moving forward, and the team finished tied for 6th in the [[Big Eight Conference|Big Eight]] with a record of 5–6. The 1971 team was picked to finish last in the Big Eight, but overcame odds to finish 4–3 in the conference and 8–3 in the regular season. The only teams they lost to in the conference, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado, ended up first, second, and third in the final rankings. The team was led by junior running back [[George Amundson]], who Majors called "the finest athlete I have coached in any job I have had." Iowa State had one defensive all-conference pick, LB Keith Schroeder. Amundson rushed for 1,260 yards, including a school-record 15 touchdowns. End [[Keith Krepfle]] had 40 receptions for 570 yards and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Dean Carlson threw for a school-record 1,867 yards. These efforts were enough to earn a bid to the [[1971 Sun Bowl]], the first bowl game in program history. Iowa State was slated to play against [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] on December 18, 1971. Iowa State was outmatched by LSU and future [[NFL]] quarterback [[Bert Jones]], falling to the Tigers, 33–15. LSU was ranked 11 after the bowls, but Iowa State was left out of the top 20.<ref>{{cite web|title=1971 Bowl Games |publisher=sports-reference.com |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1971-bowls.html |access-date=2015-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222162930/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1971-bowls.html |archive-date=2015-12-22 }}</ref>
[[File:Mike Strachan run during 1972 Oklahoma at Iowa State game.jpg|thumb|Iowa State tailback Mike Strachan #33 carries the football during a 1972 game against Oklahoma]]
In 1972, Iowa State saw the loss of five starters and the move of George Amundson from running back to quarterback to replace Dean Carlson. The Cyclones lost linebacker Matt Blair to a pre-season injury, which forced him into a [[Redshirt (college sports)|medical redshirt]]. The Cyclones tied [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]] 23–23 on a missed extra point by Iowa State's Tom Goedjen. Three players went on to be named to the first team All-Big Eight team as well be honored as All-Americans, offensive lineman Geary Murdoch, defensive end [[Merv Krakau]] and quarterback George Amundson. Amundson was named Big Eight player of the year over [[Heisman Trophy]] winner, [[Johnny Rodgers]]. It was in this year that Iowa State became known as D-Tackle U, similar to [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Penn State]]'s moniker "Linebacker U". Iowa State's 5–5–1 regular season record was enough to earn them an invitation to the [[1972 Liberty Bowl]] against [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]]. Despite outstanding play, Iowa State lost 31–30 on a failed late-game two-point conversion attempt by George Amundson.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclones.com/pdf9/3655007.pdf?SPSID=48323&SPID=4653&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10700 |title=All-time Football Letterman |website=www.cyclones.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814193256/http://www.cyclones.com/pdf9/3655007.pdf?SPSID=48323&SPID=4653&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10700 |archive-date=14 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> At the conclusion of the 1972 season, Majors announced his departure from Iowa State to take the head coaching job at [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Cook |first=Ron |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ron-cook/2007/07/28/Ron-Cook-Goodbye-Johnny/stories/200707280109 |title=Ron Cook: Goodbye,Johnny &#124; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |publisher=Post-gazette.com |date=2007-07-28 |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref>

===Earle Bruce era (1973–1978)===
In order to continue the success experienced under Johnny Majors Iowa State hired [[Earle Bruce]] out of [[Tampa Spartans football|Tampa]]. With newfound excitement around ISU football, the university broke ground on a new $7.6 million stadium that would eventually become [[Jack Trice Stadium]]. Despite future [[Minnesota Vikings]] star linebacker [[Matt Blair]] being a first team [[All-American]], the Cyclones struggled to a 4–7 finish in Bruce's inaugural 1973 season. Over the next two seasons the Cyclones experienced moderate success but both seasons ended again with 4–7 records. However, Bruce's fourth team blossomed as one of the best teams in school history. En route to their 8–3 final record, the Cyclones scored wins against No. 7 [[Missouri Tigers football|Missouri]] and No. 9 [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]]. In spite of the Cyclones' finishing the 1976 season ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll, Iowa State was ultimately snubbed by the bowls. Even so, Bruce was selected as Big Eight Coach of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|author=cyclones.com |url=http://www.cyclones.com/news/2012/8/10/205571574.aspx |title=Iowa State Football History: The 1970s - Iowa State Athletics |publisher=Cyclones.com |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> Iowa State followed up their strong 1976 campaign with another eight-win season in [[1977 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1977]]. The Cyclones beat No. 9 [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]] for the second time in a row and were ranked as high as No. 16 in the AP Poll at one point. Their 5–2 conference record and 8–4 overall record were good enough for a bid to the [[1977 Peach Bowl]] against [[NC State Wolfpack football|North Carolina State]]. Ultimately Iowa State lost the game 14–24.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chick-fil-apeachbowl.com/bowl/bowl-history/ |title=History |publisher=Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl |date=2014-06-20 |access-date=2017-01-21 |archive-date=2018-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020011520/http://www.chick-fil-apeachbowl.com/bowl/bowl-history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Cyclones returned 14 starters from the [[1977 Peach Bowl]] team including [[Heisman Trophy]] candidate, Dexter Green and [[Outland Trophy]] hopeful, [[Mike Stensrud]]. Iowa State's post season hopes came down to their last game against [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]] which was nationally televised. The game was close throughout, with ISU clinging to a 17–10 halftime lead. The second half was a defensive battle, but the ISU defense came up with big plays down the stretch. Mike Stensrud had 16 stops and caused a fumble to help ISU preserve a 20–16 win over the Buffaloes. The win earned ISU a bid to the [[1978 Hall of Fame Classic]] against [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]]. Iowa State opened the game with two touchdowns, but was unable to convert the extra point on either attempt. The Cyclones were not able to contain future first round [[NFL]] draft pick [[Curtis Dickey]], who rushed for 278 yards and a touchdown, and Iowa State lost 28–12.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.12thman.com/sports/2015/3/23/FB_201506019.aspx?path=football |title=Texas A&M University Athletics - Texas A&M Football History |publisher=12thman.com |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> At the conclusion of the 1978 season, Bruce announced he would leave Iowa State to take the head coaching job at [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alexhalsted.wixsite.com/100iowastate/single-post/2015/08/26/Earle-Bruces-Iowa-State-Departure |title=100 Things Iowa State Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die |publisher=Alexhalsted.wixsite.com |date=2015-08-26 |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref>

===Donnie Duncan era (1979–1982)===
In order to continue the success found under Earle Bruce, Iowa State hired [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]] assistant [[Donnie Duncan]] as its 26th head football coach. He held the position for four seasons, from 1979 until 1982. His [[1980 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1980]] and [[1981 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1981 Cyclones]] squads both made appearances in the national rankings. The 1981 Cyclones began the season at 5–1–1 and rose to No. 11 in the [[AP Poll]]. Led by future [[National Football League|NFL]] players [[Dwayne Crutchfield]], [[Dan Johnson (American football)|Dan Johnson]], [[Karl Nelson]] and [[Chris Washington (American footballer)|Chris Washington]], the Cyclones tied No. 5 [[1981 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma]] 7–7 and downed No. 8 [[1981 Missouri Tigers football team|Missouri]] 34–13.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14964067/ex-oklahoma-sooners-ad-iowa-state-cyclones-football-coach-donnie-duncan-dies |title=Ex-Oklahoma Sooners AD, Iowa State Cyclones football coach Donnie Duncan dies |work=ESPN |date=2016-03-13 |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> However, the success was short lived, and Duncan resigned with a career record of 18–24–2 after the [[1980 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1982]] season.<ref>{{cite web|author=cyclones.com |url=http://www.cyclones.com/news/2016/3/13/210798593.aspx?path=football |title=Former ISU Grid Coach Donnie Duncan Passes Away - Iowa State Athletics |publisher=Cyclones.com |date=2016-03-13 |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref>

===Jim Criner era (1983–1986)===
Following the 1982 season Iowa State hired [[Jim Criner]], who had won the [[1980 NCAA Division I-AA football season|1980]] [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship]] as the head coach at [[Boise State Broncos football|Boise State]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ywZMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5434,2196919|title=Spokane Daily Chronicle - Google News Archive Search |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> During Criner's tenure the Cyclones experienced mild success, however they were embroiled in controversy, with multiple players arrested on different charges as well as several [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] allegations of wrongdoings. The allegations included coaches giving players cash as well as giving recruits rides and meals. Criner's rough tenure came to an end November 12, 1986, when the school announced his firing.<ref>{{cite web|author=CHUCK SCHOFFNER {{!}} Associated Press |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-11-16-sp-7786-story.html |title=Jim Criner's Firing Ends 21 Months of Unrest at Iowa State - latimes |work=Los Angeles Times |date=1985-08-27 |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> Criner's final career record at Iowa State was 17–25–2.<ref name="Iowa State Coaching Records"/>

===Jim Walden era (1987–1994)===
{{very long section|date=January 2021}}

[[Jim Walden]] succeeded [[Jim Criner]] at Iowa State, where he compiled a 28–57–3 over eight seasons. ISU had been hit with scholarship reductions by the NCAA, both because of infractions by the previous coach, and an overall reduction in scholarships for Division I-A for the [[1998 NCAA Division I-A football season|1988]] season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1988-01-13/sports/8801030575_1_kansas-state-iowa-state-yearly-scholarship |title=Ncaa Misses Chance For Football Parity - tribunedigital-sunsentinel |publisher=Articles.sun-sentinel.com |date=1988-01-13 |access-date=2017-01-21 |archive-date=2016-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916144838/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1988-01-13/sports/8801030575_1_kansas-state-iowa-state-yearly-scholarship |url-status=dead }}</ref> In his first four years as Iowa State's head coach, he had just 57, 61, 63, and 67 scholarship players.<ref>{{cite web|first=Tim |last=Rohan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/sports/ncaafootball/two-coaches-different-approaches-to-ncaa-sanctions.html?_r=0 |title=A Road Map for Penn State: How Two Coaches Dealt With Recruiting Limits|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2012-07-29 |access-date=2022-09-28}}</ref> Walden had only 47 scholarship players on the squad that he took to [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]] to play [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]] on October 28, [[1989 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1989]], and they lost 49–17.<ref>Turnbull, Buck. "Walden hot after romp by Huskers." Des Moines Register. 29 Oct. 1989:D1. Print.</ref> Walden was the last Iowa State coach to defeat [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]], until Matt Campbell, which they did on October 20, 1990.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/football/2017/10/07/vault-1990-cyclones-beat-sooners-first-time-since-1961/743242001/ | title=From the vault: In 1990, Cyclones beat Sooners for the first time since 1961 | website=[[The Des Moines Register]] }}</ref> Oklahoma was ranked 16th in the nation at the time.<ref>Maly, Ron. "ISU player remember gloating Sooners in '87." Des Moines Register. 21 Oct. 1990:7D. Print.</ref> They had narrowly missed an upset the year before, losing in Ames 43–40. Walden's best record with the Cyclones was 6–5 in 1989. After the 1989 season, Walden was offered the head coaching job at the [[University of Arizona]], but he declined, citing a number of people at Iowa State telling him it would be "devastating" if he left. In retrospect, Walden said he was "too dumb" to leave.<ref>Maley, Ron. "Walden defends ISU record." Des Moines Register. 14 Sept 1994:S1. Print.</ref>

Walden's teams were plagued with injuries, especially at quarterback. In [[1991 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1991]], third-string quarterback Kevin Caldwell, who had begun the season as a tailback, started the final five games under center for the Cyclones.<ref>Peterson, Randy. "Cyclones search for a new starter." Des Moines Register. 20 Oct. 1991:9D. Print.</ref> Walden played four different quarterbacks in a 41–0 loss to [[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas]] in 1991.<ref>Peterson, Randy. "Costly 41 point loss for ISU." Des Moines Register. 20 Oct. 1991:D1. Print.</ref> In [[1992 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1992]], Walden installed the [[Triple option|triple-option offense]]<ref>Smith, Greg. "Cyclones may be surprising." Sioux City Journal. 25 Aug. 1992:D4. Print.</ref> and had mixed results. Iowa State lost to in-state rivals [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]] and [[Northern Iowa Panthers football|UNI]] early in the 1992 season. The loss to UNI was Walden's first to a Division I-AA school. It was also UNI's first victory over the Cyclones since 1900.<ref>Maly, Ron. "Panthers cut down Iowa State." Des Moines Register. 27 Sept. 1992:D1. Print.</ref> Iowa State bounced back to shock the seventh-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers at home on November 14, 1992. The victory was even more improbable as Walden's third-string quarterback, Marv Seiler, would make his first career start.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuSIe6SgzHs | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/GuSIe6SgzHs| archive-date=2021-11-18 | url-status=live|title=Remembering Pete Taylor: 1992 Football vs. Nebraska |publisher=YouTube |date=2013-02-26 |access-date=2017-01-21}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Walden's [[1993 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1993]] squad went 3–8, but with an upset of 18th ranked [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]].<ref>Stevens, Todd. "Cyclones shock Kansas State." Cyclone Illustrated. 8 Nov. 1993:12. Print.</ref> Walden ended the 1993 campaign with a walk-on quarterback, Jeff St. Clair.

In the spring of [[1994 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1994]], Walden recruited running back [[Troy Davis (running back)|Troy Davis]] out of [[Miami, Florida]]. Davis later had consecutive 2,000-yard rushing seasons, but not until after Walden's departure. After starting the 1994 campaign 0–2, many fans began to criticize Walden's coaching ability. He began his weekly press conference by handing out the records of [[Dennis Erickson]], [[Johnny Majors]], and [[Earle Bruce]] while they were at Washington State and Iowa State. He then handed out Iowa State's overall record in football since fielding its first team in 1892, which, at the time, was 423–461–45, a .480 percentage, and compared his record to that one. Walden claimed that he was as good a coach or better than Erickson, Majors, and Bruce.<ref>Maly, Ron. "Walden defends ISU record." Des Moines Register. 14 Sept. 1994:S1. Print.</ref> On Thursday, November 3, 1994, after starting the season 0–7–1, Walden informed his team that he would resign at season's end.<ref>Witosky, Tom. "Walden's out." Des Moines Register. 4 Nov 1994:S1. Print.</ref> He was allowed to coach his final three games by the university, but was banned from coaching his last game at Colorado because of criticizing the officials after the Kansas State game. Kansas State's Nyle Wiren had body-slammed Walden's quarterback Todd Doxzon into the turf head first.<ref>"Photos." Cyclone Illustrated. 7 Nov. 1994:22. Print.</ref> No penalty was called and Walden, with nothing to lose, went off on the officiating after the game: "I've kept quiet too long, but since I'm leaving there's nothing they can do about me. I think the refereeing in this league is atrocious ... What do you do with bad officials? Do they get fired? You fire bad players and bad coaches. Bad officials get a raise and go fishing."<ref>Krakau, Greg. "May-day aerial assault leads to K-State rout." Cyclone Illustrated. 17 Nov. 1994:18. Print.</ref> Walden coached his final game on November 12 against [[1994 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]] in Ames. Iowa State had an 0–8–1 record and Nebraska was undefeated, with a No. 1 ranking. Unbelievably, Walden's Cyclones hung with the Huskers. At the end of the third quarter, Nebraska led by only two points, 14–12. The final quarter proved to be too much for Walden's team, and Nebraska won the game 28–12.<ref>Krakau, Greg. "Cyclones defy odds; nearly topple No. 1." Cyclone Illustrated. 14 Nov. 1994:3. Print.</ref> The Cyclones finished with a winless 0–10–1 record in Walden's final 1994 season. Walden ranks sixth at Iowa State in total wins and 22nd in winning percentage.<ref name="Iowa State Coaching Records" />

===Dan McCarney era (1995–2006)===
{{very long section|date=January 2021}}

To turn the program around Iowa State hired [[Wisconsin Badgers football|Wisconsin]] defensive coordinator, [[Dan McCarney]]. The lone bright spot that McCarney inherited was sophomore running back phenom [[Troy Davis (running back)|Troy Davis]]. Davis would go on to break nearly every Iowa State rushing and touchdown record, most that still stand.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclones.com/sports/2015/3/2/GEN_20140101208.aspx |title=Troy Davis- Hall of Fame Class of 2007 - Iowa State Athletics |publisher=Cyclones.com |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> Davis twice earned unanimous All-American honors, and became the first [[NCAA Division I-A]] running back to rush for over 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, a feat that has yet to be repeated. Davis finished 5th and 2nd in [[Heisman Trophy|Heisman]] voting in his [[1995 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1995]] and [[1996 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1996]] campaigns respectively.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> McCarney would go 10–34 in his first four seasons as the Cyclones head coach. In McCarney's sixth season, the Cyclones were finally able to put together a competitive team. The [[2000 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2000]] Cyclones were quarterbacked by [[Sage Rosenfels]]. Sage is among many former Cyclones from the [[2000 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2000]] team to make it to the NFL. Others were [[J. J. Moses]], [[Reggie Hayward]], [[Ennis Haywood]], [[Tony Yelk]], [[Mike Banks (American football)|Mike Banks]], [[Jordan Carstens]], [[Tyson Smith (linebacker)|Tyson Smith]] and [[James Reed (American football)|James Reed]]. Despite Iowa State being picked by the media to finish 5th in the Big 12 North Division, the Cyclones finished with a 5–3 conference record and a 9–3 overall record.<ref>{{cite web|title=Big 12 Football 2011 Media guide |url=http://www.big12sports.com/fls/10410//pdfs/football/2011FB-Guide/record-book-C.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522022646/http://www.big12sports.com/fls/10410//pdfs/football/2011FB-Guide/record-book-C.pdf |archive-date=May 22, 2012 |publisher=Big 12 Conference |access-date=May 17, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> ISU finished the season ranked No. 25 and their nine wins were the program's best total since 1906. The Cyclones were then invited to play in the [[2000 Insight.com Bowl|Insight.com Bowl]] against [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh]], Iowa State's first appearance in a bowl game since the [[1978 Peach Bowl]]. Iowa State was able to beat the Panthers 37–29, earning their first bowl victory in program history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores100/100363/100363388.htm |title=NCAA Football - Pittsburgh vs. Iowa State |work=USA Today |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> In an interesting side note, Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator in this game, [[Paul Rhoads]], would eventually become the 31st Iowa State head coach.

The [[2001 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2001 season]] saw the emergence of [[Junior college#athletics|JUCO]] transfer [[Seneca Wallace]] and star wide receiver Lane Danielson. The dynamic duo led the Cyclones to a last-second win over [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores101/101328/101328481.htm|title=NCAA Football - Iowa vs. Iowa State|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> a 7–5 overall record, and an invitation to the [[2001 Independence Bowl|Independence Bowl]] against [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]], their second consecutive bowl game. The Cyclones just missed a 47-yard field goal attempt with 0:46 remaining in the fourth, which would have given State the lead and potential victory. The Cyclones lost the game 13–14. Subsequent to the game there was some question about whether or not the field goal was actually good, as it sailed directly over one of the uprights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores101/101361/101361339.htm|title=NCAA Football - Alabama vs. Iowa State|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> [[Seneca Wallace]] would lead the Cyclones to a 6–1 start in [[2002 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2002]], including a near-win against the [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] Seminoles in the [[Eddie Robinson Classic]] at Arrowhead Stadium in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. Wallace dove towards the goal line at the last second but was ruled out shy of the end zone. During a later home game versus [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]], Wallace scored on a 12-yard touchdown by running an estimated 120 yards backwards, forwards, and sideways on the field. Wallace dodged tackles and received numerous blocks from his teammates, including one devastating block by running back Michael Wagner. The play briefly catapulted Wallace into [[Heisman Trophy]] contention and was recognized by [[ESPN]] as the "Play of the Week." It has since been recognized as one of the great plays in college football history. The play is known among Iowa State fans simply as "The Run." Ultimately their 7–7 record was enough to receive a bid to the [[Humanitarian Bowl]] against [[Boise State Broncos football|Boise State]] on the Broncos' blue home field where they were defeated, 16–34.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=223650068|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021134412/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=223650068|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2016|title=Iowa State vs. Boise State - Game Recap - December 31, 2002 - ESPN|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref>

The [[2004 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2004]] season would be much more successful than the disappointing 2–10 [[2003 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2003]] campaign for the Cyclones. Redshirt freshman Bret Meyer took over the quarterback spot and paired up with fellow redshirt freshman receiver [[Todd Blythe]] to make a lethal combination. The season got off to a slow start with a 2–4 overall record and a 0–3 record in the conference. McCarney turned the season around by winning the next four games in a row. The Cyclones had a chance to win the Big 12 North title but fell short after a Missouri defender intercepted a pass intended for Jon Davis in the end zone. The Cyclones would go on to play the [[Miami RedHawks football|Miami RedHawks]] in the [[2004 Independence Bowl]]. In the Independence Bowl, Iowa State prevailed for a 17–13 win as Meyer rolled up 236 yards of total offense. Meyer and Stevie Hicks each rushed for over 100 yards, an Independence Bowl first. All-Big 12 cornerback [[Ellis Hobbs]] iced the win with a 41-yard interception return in the game's final minute, and the Cyclones held on to win 17–13.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=243630066|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021132248/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=243630066|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2016|title=Miami (OH) vs. Iowa State - Game Recap - December 28, 2004 - ESPN|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> The Cyclones continued their success under McCarney in the [[2005 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2005 season]]. High points during the season include a blowout win against No. 8 [[2005 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]] and a home victory over No. 22 [[2005 Colorado Buffaloes football team|Colorado]]. They missed out yet again on the [[Big 12 Conference football|Big 12]] title when they lost in overtime to [[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas]] after a missed field goal by Bret Culbertson. They led the game in the 4th quarter but allowed Kansas to come back.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=253302305|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021132127/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=253302305|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2016|title=Iowa State vs. Kansas - Game Recap - November 26, 2005 - ESPN|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> The Cyclones earned a berth in the [[2005 Houston Bowl]], but lost 24–27 to the [[TCU Horned Frogs football|TCU Horned Frogs]]. TCU opened the game with back-to-back first quarter rushing touchdowns. The Cyclones responded with two Bret Meyer touchdown passes and forced a TCU safety. Late in the fourth quarter the game was tied at 24–24 but the Cyclones ultimately suffered yet another bowl loss on a fourth-quarter field goal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bowls/houston.htm|title=USATODAY.com|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> McCarney stepped down as head coach after a 4–8 [[2006 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2006]] season, and finished his Iowa State head-coaching career as the program's winningest head coach with a 56–85 all-time record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2654565|title=McCarney resigns after 12 seasons at Iowa State|date=9 November 2006|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref>

===Gene Chizik year (2007–2008)===
To replace Dan McCarney, Iowa State hired much-touted [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] defensive coordinator [[Gene Chizik]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2006 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2676900| title=Chizik leaves Longhorns staff to coach Iowa State|publisher= ESPN}}</ref> The Cyclones wore 1977 throwback jerseys for the 2007 contest against [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]] and re-introduced gold pants as a standard part of their uniform. It marked the 30th anniversary since the resumption of the Cy-Hawk rivalry as well as the 30th anniversary of the [[1977 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1977 Iowa State]] [[1977 Peach Bowl|Peach Bowl]] team. They finished the season 3–9, including a 15–13 win over Iowa, and back-to-back wins against [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]] and [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]]. All three wins were upsets. In [[2008 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2008]], Iowa State opened with two wins against weaker non-conference foes, before losing their next 10 games to finish the season 2–10. Chizik left the Cyclones suddenly after the season to become the head football coach at [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] amid great acrimony.<ref>{{cite web| year=2008| url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3767115| title=Auburn to name Chizik as coach|publisher= ESPN}}</ref>

===Paul Rhoads era (2009–2015)===
{{very long section|date=January 2021}}
[[File:Paul Rhoads by Judd Furlong.jpg|thumb|Rhoads as the head coach of Iowa State during a home game against Oklahoma State]]
[[File:Cyclone cheerleaders enjoy the warm November weather (4090580396).jpg|thumb|Cyclone cheerleaders, 2009]]
Auburn defensive coordinator [[Paul Rhoads]] was introduced as the 31st head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones on December 20, 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3783455 | title=Iowa State hires Auburn's Rhoads as coach | date=20 December 2008 }}</ref> Rhoads had previously spent time at Iowa State as an assistant coach in the late 1990s and was raised only 20 miles from [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]] in [[Ankeny, Iowa|Ankeny]].<ref>{{cite web | year=2008 |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Ankeny,+IA&daddr=US-69+to:Jack+Trice+Stadium&hl=en&geocode=%3BFQPJfgIdZsVr-g%3B&mra=ls&sll=41.868165,-93.620565&sspn=0.481669,0.990143&ie=UTF8&ll=41.870583,-93.613129&spn=0.481653,0.990143&t=h&z=10 | title=Ankeny to Jack Trice Stadium | publisher=Google Maps | access-date=2008-12-20}}</ref> His father, Cecil, was one of the winningest coaches in Iowa high school history,<ref>{{cite web |year=2012 | url=http://www.iahsaa.org/football/ARCHIVES/FB.5.AT.ACTIVE%20COACHES%20W_L.pdf | title=Iowa All-Time Football Coaching Leaders | publisher=[[Iowa High School Athletic Association|IAHSAA]] | access-date=2013-01-13}}</ref> coaching for more than three decades and has been inducted into the Iowa High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Rhoads' contract was reported to be a 5-year deal worth $5.75 million plus incentives.<ref name=salary>{{cite web|year=2012|url=http://amestrib.com/sections/sports/isu-cyclones/football-isu%E2%80%99s-rhoads-make-16-million-2012.html|title=Football: ISU's Rhoads to make $1.6 million in 2012|publisher=Ames Tribute|access-date=2014-08-31|archive-date=2014-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903135722/http://amestrib.com/sections/sports/isu-cyclones/football-isu%E2%80%99s-rhoads-make-16-million-2012.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> To round out his coaching staff, Rhoads hired up-and-coming offensive coordinator out of Rice, [[Tom Herman (American football)|Tom Herman]] and veteran defensive coordinator Wally Burnham.


Rhoads opened his ISU career with a win over [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|FCS]] [[North Dakota State Bison football|North Dakota State]]. He then led Iowa State to a victory at [[Kent State Golden Flashes football|Kent State]] first year, ending a 17-game Cyclones road losing streak.<ref>{{cite web |year=2009 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/3811/iowa-state-breaks-nation-worst-losing-streak|title=Iowa State breaks nation-worst losing streak |publisher=[[ESPN]] | access-date=2016-10-20}}</ref> In October 2009 the Cyclones defeated [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]] to end an 11-game losing stretch against conference opponents,<ref>{{cite news | year=2009 | url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=204816128 |title=Iowa State Claims First Big 12 Win Over Baylor | newspaper=Cyclones.com | publisher=[[Iowa State University]] | access-date=2016-10-20}}</ref> and then went on to defeat [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]] in [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]] for the first time since [[1977 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1977]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2009|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091024/SPORTS020602/91024006 | title=Cyclones pull off a stunner at Nebraska | publisher=[[The Des Moines Register]] | access-date=2016-10-20}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Their 6–6 record was enough to earn them an invitation to the [[Insight.com Bowl]] against [[Minnesota Golden Gophers|Minnesota]]. Rhoads would win his first bowl game in his inaugural year as coach at Iowa State, beating the Golden Gophers 14–13.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=293650066|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021132930/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=293650066|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2016|title=Minnesota vs. Iowa State - Game Recap - December 31, 2009 - ESPN |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> The lone highlight of the [[2010 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2010]] season was the first ever win at [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] in school history, upsetting the 22nd-ranked Longhorns 28–21.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/longhorns/article/Iowa-State-shocks-No-22-Texas-with-28-21-win-in-1705887.phpIowaState|title=Iowa State shocks No. 22 Texas with 28–21 win in Austin|work=Houston Chronicle|date=23 October 2010}}</ref> The Cyclones would finish the season 3–5 in the [[Big 12 Conference football|Big 12]] and 5–7 overall.
Iowa State hasn't won a conference championship in football since sharing the [[Big Eight Conference football|MVIAA]] titles in 1911 and 1912, and has never played in a January bowl game.


In [[2011 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2011]] Iowa State started off the season 3–0 including a triple-overtime win over [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]] in Ames, and a win over [[Connecticut Huskies football|Connecticut]] in [[East Hartford, Connecticut|East Hartford]]. The Cyclones would drop the next four games, starting out 0–4 in conference play, but they quickly bounced back with a 41–7 win on October 29 at No. 19 [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]]. In that game, Iowa State managed to rack up 512 total yards, the most since the Nov 22, 2008 game at [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]]. Several other school records were broken, including first-ever win in [[Lubbock, Texas|Lubbock]], largest margin of victory against a ranked opponent, and most points scored against a ranked opponent since November 9, 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kcrg.com/sports/cyclones/Iowa-State-Upends-No-19-Texas-Tech-41-7-132866183.html |title=Iowa State Upends No. 19 Texas Tech 41–7 |work=KCRG |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103121324/http://www.kcrg.com/sports/cyclones/Iowa-State-Upends-No-19-Texas-Tech-41-7-132866183.html |archive-date=2011-11-03 }}</ref> On November 18, Iowa State faced off against undefeated No. 2 [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]] led by [[Heisman Trophy|Heisman]] frontrunner [[Brandon Weeden]] and two time [[Fred Biletnikoff Award|Biletnikoff]] winner [[Justin Blackmon]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biletnikoffaward.com/blackmon2011|title=2011 Biletnikoff Award Winner, Justin Blackmon « Biletnikoff Award|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> in Ames. Down 24–7 early in the second half, Iowa State came back with 17 unanswered points to force overtime. In overtime, Iowa State scored on its first play from scrimmage, but Oklahoma State answered back with their own touchdown. In the second overtime, Iowa State forced an interception and ran three Jeff Woody dives in a row to beat Oklahoma State 37–31, smashing Oklahoma State's chances of playing for a national championship and Brandon Weeden's Heisman shot. Iowa State became bowl eligible with the win and improved to 6–4. The win over Oklahoma State marked Iowa State's first ever win against an opponent in the top 6 (AP polls).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-1119-college-football-notes-20111119,0,502448.story|title=Iowa State upsets No. 2 Oklahoma State in double overtime|work=Los Angeles Times|date=18 November 2011}}</ref> The Cyclones finished the season 6–6 and would receive an invitation to face the [[Rutgers Scarlet Knights football|Rutgers Scarlet Knights]] in the [[2011 Pinstripe Bowl|Pinstripe Bowl]], which they went on to lose, 27–13.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=313640066|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021134539/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=313640066|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2016|title=Rutgers vs. Iowa State - Game Recap - December 30, 2011 - ESPN|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref>
===Johnny Majors era===


The Cyclones opened the [[2012 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2012]] season 3–0 including a 9–6 win at Iowa for the first time in 10 years. The other major highlight of the season was ending [[TCU Horned Frogs football|TCU's]] then-longest winning streak in college football by upsetting the No. 15 ranked Horned Frogs in [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] 37–23.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=322802628|title=Iowa State vs. TCU - Game Recap - October 6, 2012 - ESPN|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> The 2012 season ended 6–7 and a berth in that year's [[2012 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]] against the [[2012 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team|Tulsa Golden Hurricane]]. Iowa State opened the game strong but they ultimately lost 31–17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=323660202|title=Iowa State vs. Tulsa - Game Recap - December 31, 2012 - ESPN |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> While things appeared to be moving in a positive direction for the Cyclones, Rhoads' future teams were unable to continue the success of his earlier teams. In his final three seasons, the Cyclones won just four Big 12 games (including a winless conference record in [[2014 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2014]]) and went 8–27 overall. The [[2015 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2015 season]] proved to be particularly difficult, as the Cyclones held double-digit halftime leads against both [[2015 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team|Oklahoma State]] and [[2015 Kansas State Wildcats football team|Kansas State]] only to lose both games late in the fourth quarter. Following a 38–35 loss to [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]] on November 21, in which he came under heavy criticism for play-calling in the game's final 90 seconds,<ref>Peterson, Randy, "Peterson: Rhoads coaching for his job after Iowa State debacle," ''[[Des Moines Register]]'', November 21, 2015. Accessed 11-22-2015. [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/cyclone-insider/2015/11/21/paul-rhoads-job-on-the-line-after-debacle-by-iowa-state/76109668/]</ref> Rhoads was fired as head coach, effective at the conclusion of the season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14193004/iowa-state-cyclones-fire-paul-rhoads | title=Cyclones to dismiss Rhoads as coach after finale | date=22 November 2015 }}</ref><ref>Peterson, Randy, and Tommy Birch, "Paul Rhoads fired as Iowa State coach, will coach, will coach finale," ''[[Des Moines Register]]'', November 22, 2015. Accessed 11-22-2015. [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/cyclone-insider/2015/11/22/paul-rhoads-fired-iowa-state-coach/76217264/]</ref>
*1971 [[Sun Bowl]]
* [[Louisiana State Tigers football|LSU]] 33
* Iowa State 15
Iowa State finished the season 8&ndash;4. The 1971 teams was picked to finish last in the Big Eight, but overcame odds to get a Sun Bowl bid to give the Cyclones their first bowl bid ever in Majors' fourth season at Iowa State. The team was led by George Amundson, who Majors called “the finest athlete I have coached in any job I have had.” Iowa State had one all-conference pick, LB Keith Schroeder. Offensively they were led by Amundson who rushed for 1,260 yards as a running back, including a school record of 15 touchdowns. End Keith Krepfle had 40 receptions for 570 yards and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Dean Carlson threw for a school record of 1,867 yards.


===Matt Campbell era (2016–present)===
Iowa State's defense played well, but was unable to control QB Bert Jones who was 12&ndash;18&ndash;227 with three touchdowns. Iowa State got to within four points in the fourth quarter, but Bert Jones drove LSU down the field for yet another score.
{{very long section|date=January 2021}}
[[File:MattCampbellISU2016.jpeg|thumb|Head coach Matt Campbell]]
[[Matt Campbell (American football coach)|Matt Campbell]], who had been the head coach at the [[Toledo Rockets football|University of Toledo]], was named head coach at Iowa State on November 29, 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14252031/matt-campbell-leaves-toledo-rockets-become-iowa-state-cyclones-head-coach | title='Rising star' Campbell joins Iowa State as coach | date=29 November 2015 }}</ref> Campbell signed a six-year contract worth $2 million his first year.<ref>Peterson, Randy, "
Matt Campbell named Iowa State's head coach," ''[[Des Moines Register]]'', November 29, 2015. Accessed 11-30-2015. [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/randy-peterson/2015/11/28/iowa-state-football-new-coach-jamie-pollard/76494818/]</ref> Campbell finished his first season as a Cyclone with a record of 3–9. Despite the disappointing record there were several high points during the season that showed progress including several near upsets and a blowout win over [[2016 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team|Texas Tech]]. The 66–10 rout of the Red Raiders included breaking several school records including points scored in a conference game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/cyclone-insider/2016/11/19/iowa-state-dominates-texas-tech-record-setting-day/94105154/ |title=Iowa State dominates Texas Tech in record-setting day|website=[[The Des Moines Register]]|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref>

In Campbell's second season, the Cyclones experienced greater on-field success. After opening the season 2–2, the Cyclones upset the eventual [[2017 Big 12 Championship Game|conference champions]] the No. 3 ranked [[2017 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma Sooners]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/2017/10/07/oklahoma-iowa-state-highlights-big-12|title=Iowa State stuns Oklahoma on late Allen Lazard TD|first=Eric|last=Single|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=7 October 2017 }}</ref> This was Iowa State's first win in [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]] since [[1990 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1990]] and only their sixth win against [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]] all-time. They followed up the Oklahoma win by going undefeated in the month of October, including a win over No. 4 TCU.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/tcu-at-iowa-state-score-cyclones-upset-of-no-4-frogs-puts-them-atop-big-12/|title=TCU at Iowa State score: Cyclones' upset of No. 4 Frogs puts them atop Big 12|website=CBS Sports|date=28 October 2017 }}</ref> During the season the Cyclones were ranked as high as No. 14 in the [[AP Poll]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iowastatedaily.com/sports/article_41586cd8-bcb7-11e7-8557-2f2d8a7ccbfc.html|title=Cyclones move to No. 14 in AP Poll|first=Aaron Marner, aaron.marner@iowastatedaily.com|last=@A_Mar32|access-date=2017-12-08|archive-date=2017-12-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208122607/http://www.iowastatedaily.com/sports/article_41586cd8-bcb7-11e7-8557-2f2d8a7ccbfc.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Finishing the regular season 7–5 and fourth in the Big 12, Iowa State was invited to the [[2017 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]] where they defeated No. 20 [[2017 Memphis Tigers football team|Memphis]] 21–20, their first bowl victory in eight years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/12/03/iowa-state-earns-liberty-bowl-bid-iowa-to-pinstripe/108286936/|title=Iowa State earns Liberty Bowl bid, Iowa to Pinstripe|website=[[USA Today]] }}</ref> Campbell agreed to a six-year, $22.5 million extension with the school on November 27, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2746353-matt-campbell-iowa-st-agree-to-new-6-year-225m-contract-after-7-5-season|title=Matt Campbell, Iowa St. Agree to New 6-Year, $22.5M Contract After 7-5 Season|first=Joseph|last=Zucker|website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> On November 30, 2017, Campbell was named the [[Big 12 Conference football individual awards#Coach of the Year|Big 12 Coach of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/college/football/iowa-states-matt-campbell-named-big-12-coach-of-year-20171130|title=Iowa State's Matt Campbell named Big 12 Coach of the Year|website=The Gazette}}</ref> In the 2018 season, the Cyclones had a disappointing 1–3 start. However, coach Campbell lead the Cyclones to a regular season record of 8–4, including 6 Big 12 conference wins, and a win over No. 6 [[2018 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|West Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Peterson |first1=Randy |title=Iowa State's October mastery continues in beatdown of No. 6 West Virginia |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/randy-peterson/2018/10/13/iowa-state-football-west-virginia-upset-big-12-conference-jack-trice-stadium-sweet-caroline/1631097002/ |website=Des Moines Register |access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref> The Cyclones were invited to the [[Alamo Bowl]], where they lost 28–26 to [[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Birch |first1=Tommy |title=Birch's Thoughts: In the end, Iowa State has itself to blame for Alamo Bowl loss with miscues |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/football/2018/12/28/end-iowa-state-has-itself-blame-alamo-bowl-loss-miscues-matt-campbell-hakeem-butler-david-montgomery/2430747002/ |website=Des Moines Register |access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref> On December 3, 2019, Campbell and Iowa State agreed to a contract extension through 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28218069/iowa-state-gives-matt-campbell-extension-2025 | title=Iowa State gives Campbell contract extension | date=3 December 2019 }}</ref>

Featuring Quarterback [[Brock Purdy]],<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/isuni.sidearmsports.com/documents/2015/5/5/2022_FB_MediaGuide.pdf |title=2022 Iowa State Cyclones Football Media Guide |publisher=Iowa State University Press |year=2022 |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213164434/https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/isuni.sidearmsports.com/documents/2015/5/5/2022_FB_MediaGuide.pdf |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> and All-American Running Back [[Breece Hall]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Randy |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Iowa State's Breece Hall named a unanimous first-team All-American |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/randy-peterson/2021/01/07/breece-hall-unanimous-first-team-all-american-iowa-state-football/6583619002/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=[[Des Moines Register]]}}</ref> the 2020 season was one of the most successful seasons in Cyclones history. Despite losing their season opener to the [[2020 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team|Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns]] from the Sun Belt Conference, they recovered quickly and defeated No. 18 [[2020 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma]] two weeks later in Ames. Two weeks later, the No. 17 Cyclones lost to No. 6 [[2020 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team|Oklahoma State]] 24–21 in Stillwater. This would be their only conference loss for the season, as they went on to win the rest of their regular season games and clinched a spot in their first-ever [[Big 12 Championship Game]], a rematch with No. 10 Oklahoma. At the time of the Big 12 Championship Game, the Cyclones were ranked No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings, their highest CFP ranking ever. Although the Cyclones lost this game 27–21, they were invited to the [[2021 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta Bowl]], where they defeated the No. 25 [[2020 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon Ducks]] 34–17 in their first-ever [[New Year's Six]] bowl game. After the season ended, the Cyclones finished ranked No. 9 in both the AP and Coaches Poll, their highest final ranking ever. On February 8, 2021, Campbell and Iowa State agreed to a contract extension through 2028.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30863331/iowa-state-cyclones-extend-coach-matt-campbell-deal-2028 | title=Iowa St. Extends Campbell's deal through 2028 | date=8 February 2021 }}</ref>

In 2023, the Cyclones team became embroiled in an illegal sports-betting scandal.
Both defensive lineman Isaiah Lee and the Cyclones’ leading rusher for the 2022 season Jirehl Brock were charged following an investigation into illegal sports betting, and they subsequently left the team.
Three other players charged in the investigation were quarterback Hunter Dekkers, offensive lineman Jacob Remsburg and tight end DeShawn Hanika all of which remained on the team roster, with Remsburg being the only to play again for the Cyclones.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gamblingindustrynews.com/news/regulation/iowa-state-football-player-leaves-betting-charges/ | title=Iowa State Football Player Leaves Program Following Sports Betting Charges| date=22 August 2023 }}</ref>

==Conference affiliations==
* [[NCAA Division I-A independent schools|Independent]] (1892–1907)
* [[Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association]] (1908–1927)
* [[Big Eight Conference|Big Six/Seven/Eight Conference]] (1928–1995)
* [[Big 12 Conference]] (1996–present)

==Championships==

===Conference championships===
Iowa State has won two conference championships in school history. Both Iowa State conference championships were during their membership in the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA), which would later be known as the [[Big Eight Conference]].<ref name="bigeightsports.com"/> Iowa State currently has the longest conference championship drought in FBS history.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/college-footballs-longest-conference-title-droughts-by-conference | title=College football's longest conference title droughts, by conference }}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Iowa State Cyclones|Year|Conference|Coach|Overall record|Conference record}}
! Score
! Play
|-
|-
| [[1911 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1911]]† || rowspan="2"|[[Big Eight Conference|MVIAA]] || rowspan="2"|[[Clyde Williams (American football)|Clyde Williams]] || 6–1–1 || 2–0–1
| LSU 3, ISU 0
| 39-yard FG Michaelson
|-
|-
| [[1912 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1912]]† || 6–2 || 2–0
| LSU 6, ISU 0
|}
| 39-yard FG Michaelson
† Co-champions

=== Division championships ===
Iowa State competed in the Big 12 North Division from 1996 to 2010, winning a share of one division title during that time (since 2011, the conference has had the top two teams matched for the title game).

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Iowa State Cyclones|Year|Division|Coach|Overall record|Conference record|Opponent|CG result}}
| ISU 3, LSU 6
| 32-yard FG Shoemake
|-
|-
| [[2004 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2004]]† || Big 12 North || [[Dan McCarney]] || 7–5 || 4–4 || colspan="2' | ''N/A lost tie-breaker to [[2004 Colorado Buffaloes football team|Colorado]]''
| LSU 13, ISU 3
|}
| 37-yard pass Jones to Hamilton(Michaelson)
† Co-champions

=== Associated Press Poll appearances ===
{{Importance section|date=November 2019}}
As of Week 1 of the 2022 season, Iowa State has made 70 appearances<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/teams/summary.cfm?teamid=51#.WqMpWXyIaUk|title=Iowa State AP Football Poll Summary - College Poll Archive - Historical College Football and Basketball Polls and Rankings|website=www.collegepollarchive.com}}</ref> in the [[AP Poll|Associated Press poll]] and been ranked in the final Associated Press poll of the season three times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/app_final_team.cfm?teamid=51#.WqMpM3yIaUl|title=Iowa State Final AP Football Rankings - College Poll Archive - Historical College Football and Basketball Polls and Rankings|website=www.collegepollarchive.com}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Iowa State Cyclones|Year|Ranking|Record}}
| LSU 19, ISU 3
| 21-yard pass Jones to Keigley(Michaelson)
|-
|-
| [[1976 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1976]] || No. 19 || 8–3
| ISU 9, LSU 19
| 30-yard pass Carlson to Marquardt
|-
|-
| [[2000 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2000]] || No. 25 || 9–3
| ISU 15, LSU 19
| 1-yard pass Carlson to Krepfle
|-
|-
| [[2020 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2020]] || No. 9 || 9–3
| LSU 26, ISU 15
| 6-yard pass Jones to Michaelson(Michaelson)
|-
| LSU 33, ISU 15
| 6-yard run Jones(Michaelson)
|}
|}


== Bowl games ==
*1972 [[Liberty Bowl]]
Iowa State has appeared in 19 bowl games. Their overall bowl record is 6–13.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa-state/|title=Iowa State Cyclones Bowls|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>
*[[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]] 31
*Iowa State 30

1972 saw the loss of five starters and the move of George Amundson from running back to quarterback to replace Dean Carlson. The Clones lost LB Matt Blair to a pre season injury which forced him into a medical redshirt. The Cyclones fought [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]] to a 23&ndash;23 tie during the '72 season which would have been won on a made extra point by Tom Goedjen, who missed the extra point, but wouldn't miss another extra point as a Cyclone. Three players went on to be named to the All-Big Eight team, OL Geary Murdoch, DE[[Merv Krakau]] and QB George Amundson. George Amundson was named Big Eight player of the year over [[Heisman Trophy]] winner, [[Johnny Rodgers]]. It was in this year that Iowa State became known as Defensive Tackle University, or D-Tackle U, similar to Penn State's moniker "Linebacker U."

Iowa State led 14&ndash;3 after the first quarter and a Willie Jones Liberty Bowl record, 93-yard kickoff return gave the Cyclones a 21&ndash;17 halftime edge. Georgia Tech regained the lead, but the Cyclones took advantage of a Tech turnover late in the game. Amundson hit
Ike Harris on a 5-yard TD pass with 1:36 left to cut the Tech lead to 31-30, but Amundson’s two-point conversion pass fell incomplete to end the Cyclones’ chances for victory before 50,021 emotionally spent fans, as well as an [[College Football on ABC|ABC]]-TV prime-time national audience.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Iowa State Cyclones|Date|Coach|Bowl|Opponent|Result}}
! Score
! Play
|-
|-
| December 18, 1971 || [[Johnny Majors]] || [[1971 Sun Bowl|Sun Bowl]] || [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] || L 15–33
| GT 3, ISU 0
| 32-yard FG Bonifay
|-
|-
| December 18, 1972 || Johnny Majors || [[1972 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]] || [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]] || L 30–31
| ISU 7, GT 3
| 19-yard pass Amundson to Harris(Goedjen)
|-
|-
| December 31, 1977 || [[Earle Bruce]] || [[1977 Peach Bowl|Peach Bowl]]|| [[NC State Wolfpack football|NC State]] || L 14–24
| ISU 14, GT 3
| 1-yard run Amundson(Goedjen)
|-
|-
| December 20, 1978 || Earle Bruce || [[1978 Hall of Fame Classic|Hall of Fame Classic]] || [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]] || L 12–28
| GT 9, ISU 14
| 9-yard pass Stevens to Robinson
|-
|-
| December 28, 2000 || [[Dan McCarney]] || [[2000 Insight.com Bowl|Insight.com Bowl]] || [[2000 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pittsburgh]] || '''W''' 37–29
| GT 17, ISU 14
| 19-yard interception return Faulkner (Stevens run)
|-
|-
| December 27, 2001 || Dan McCarney || [[2001 Independence Bowl|Independence Bowl]] || [[2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]] || L 13–14
| ISU 21, GT 17
| 93-yard kickoff return Jones(Goedjen)
|-
|-
| December 31, 2002 || Dan McCarney || [[2002 Humanitarian Bowl|Humanitarian Bowl]] || [[2002 Boise State Broncos football team|Boise State]] || L 16–34
| GT 24, ISU 21
| 22-yard pass Stevens to Healy(Thigpen)
|-
|-
| December 28, 2004 || Dan McCarney || [[2004 Independence Bowl|Independence Bowl]] || [[2004 Miami RedHawks football team|Miami (OH)]] || '''W''' 17–13
| ISU 24, GT 24
| 30-yard FG Goedjen
|-
|-
| December 31, 2005 || Dan McCarney || [[2005 Houston Bowl|Houston Bowl]]|| [[2005 TCU Horned Frogs football team|TCU]] || L 24–27
| GT 31, ISU 24
| 3-yard pass Stevens to McNamara(Thigpen)
|-
|-
| December 31, 2009 || [[Paul Rhoads]] || [[2009 Insight Bowl|Insight Bowl]] || [[2009 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team|Minnesota]] || '''W''' 14–13
| ISU 30, GT 31
| 5-yard pass Amundson to Harris (Pass Failed)
|}
All-Americans under Major
*1972- QB George Amundson
*1972- DE Merv Krakau
*1972- G Geary Murdock<ref name="Iowa State Media Guide- History"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| December 30, 2011 || Paul Rhoads || [[2011 Pinstripe Bowl|Pinstripe Bowl]] || [[2011 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team|Rutgers]] || L 13–27
| Year
| 1968
| 1969
| 1970
| 1971
| 1972
|-
|-
| December 31, 2012 || Paul Rhoads || [[2012 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]] || [[2012 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team|Tulsa]] || L 17–31
| Record
| 3-7
| 3-7
| 5-6
| 8-4
| 5-6
|}

===Earle Bruce era===

*1977 [[Peach Bowl]]
*[[NC State Wolfpack football|NC State]], 24
*Iowa State, 14
The team finished the season with an 8&ndash;3 record and a No. 18 ranking, but was snubbed by the bowls even though their losses were to the #1, #2 and #3 teams in the country. Bruce was selected as the Big Eight Coach of the year and had four players garner all conference honors, including Luther Blue, a Split End, who was an All-American. Iowa State would have tied for a share of the Big Eight title with a win over [[Oklahoma State]] in the season finale, but they lost. They upset power house Nebraska 37&ndash;28, their first win over Nebraska since [[1960 NCAA Division I-A football season|1960]], but was unable to beat bowl-bound teams [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]] and [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]].

Following another good season, where the Cyclones again beat Nebraska, Iowa State earned a berth in the Peach Bowl. They also tied for second in the conference. The Peach Bowl saw the matchup of two stellar running backs, NC State's Ted Brown and Iowa State's Dexter Green. The game however was dominated by QB Johnny Evans who put up 264 yards of total offense.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| December 30, 2017 || [[Matt Campbell (American football coach)|Matt Campbell]] || [[2017 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]] || [[2017 Memphis Tigers football team|Memphis]] || '''W''' 21–20
! Score
! Play
|-
|-
| December 28, 2018 || Matt Campbell || [[2018 Alamo Bowl|Alamo Bowl]] || [[2018 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]] || L 26–28
| NC State 7, ISU 0
| Hall 77 pass from Evans(Sherrill)
|-
|-
| December 28, 2019 || Matt Campbell || [[2019 Camping World Bowl|Camping World Bowl]] || [[2019 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]] || L 9–33
| NC State 14, ISU 0
| Brown 5 pass from Evans(Sherill)
|-
|-
| January 2, 2021 || Matt Campbell || [[2021 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta Bowl]] || [[2020 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]] || '''W''' 34–17
| NC State 21, ISU 0
| Evans 32 run(Sherill)
|-
|-
|December 29, 2021 || Matt Campbell || [[2021 Cheez-It Bowl|Cheez-It Bowl]] ||[[2021 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]] || L 13–20
| ISU 7, NC State 21
| Quinn 1 run(Kollman)
|-
|-
|December 29, 2023 || Matt Campbell || [[2023 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]] ||[[2023 Memphis Tigers football team|Memphis]] || L 26–36
| NC State 24, ISU 7
| FG Sherill 42
|-
|-
|December 28, 2024 || Matt Campbell || [[2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl|Pop-Tarts Bowl]] ||[[2024 Miami Hurricanes football team|Miami (FL)]] || '''W''' 42–41
| ISU 14, NC State 24
| Meckstroth 10 pass from Quinn(Kollman)
|}
|}


==Head coaches==
*1978 [[Hall of Fame Bowl]]
{{main|List of Iowa State Cyclones head football coaches}}
*[[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]] 28
*Iowa State 12


Iowa State has had 32 head coaches in program history.<ref name="coaches" /> The current head coach is [[Matt Campbell (American football coach)|Matt Campbell]].<ref>Campbell is very close to becoming the winningest coach in school history. {{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa-state/ |title=Iowa State Cyclones Index - College Football at Sports-Reference.com |access-date=21 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201005112/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa-state/ |archive-date=1 February 2017 }}</ref>
{{See also|1978 Iowa State Cyclones football team}}


{| class="wikitable sortable"
The Cyclones returned 14 starters from the 1977 peach bowl team including Heisman Trophy candidate, Dexter Green and [[Outland Trophy]] hopeful, [[Mike Stensrud]]. Iowa State's post season hopes came down to their last game against Colorado which was nationally televised. The game was close throughout, with ISU clinging to a 17&ndash;10 halftime lead. A 27-yard first-half TD pass from Grant to Hardee and a 24-yard field goal from Steve Johnson gave ISU a 10&ndash;0 lead. After a CU touchdown closed the gap, Grant rumbled into the end zone from five yards out before the Buffs closed the half with a field goal. The second half was a defensive battle, but the ISU defense came up with big plays down the stretch. Mike Stensrud had 16 stops and caused a fumble to help ISU preserve a 20&ndash;16 win over the Buffs. The win earned ISU a Hall of Fame Bowl bid. Cyclones that made the Big Eight first team were Dexter Green, Mike Stensrud, Tom Boskey and Dick Cuvelier. Chris Boskey was named Big Eight Newcomer of the Year.
|-

{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Iowa State Cyclones|Years|Coach|Seasons|Wins|Losses|Ties|Pct.}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| 1892 || [[Ira C. Brownlie]] || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || .750
! Score
|-
! Play
| 1893 || [[W. F. Finney]] || 1 || 0 || 3 || 0 || .000
|-
|-
| Iowa State 6, TAMU 0
| 1894 || [[Bert German]] || 1 || 5 || 1 || 0 || .833
| Green 5-yard pass from Grant
|-
|-
| 1895–1899 || [[Pop Warner]] || 4 1/3 || 18 || 8 || 0 || .692
| TAMU 7, Iowa State 6
|-
| Brothers 1-yard run(Franklin)
| 1899 || [[Joe Meyers (American football)|Joe Meyers]] || 2/3 || 4 || 4 || 1 || .500
|-
|-
| TAMU 14, Iowa State 6
| 1900 || [[C. E. Woodruff]] || 1 || 2 || 5 || 1 || .313
| Carter 4-yard pass from Mosley(Franklin)
|-
|-
| 1901 || [[Edgar N. Clinton|Edgar Clinton]] || 1 || 2 || 6 || 2 || .300
| Iowa State 12, TAMU 14
|-
| Green 28-yard run
| 1902–1906 || [[A. W. Ristine]] || 5 || 36 || 10 || 1 || .766
|-
|-
| TAMU 21, Iowa State 12
| 1907–1912 || [[Clyde Williams (American football)|Clyde Williams]] || 6 || 33 || 14 || 2 || .694
| Dickey 19-yard run(Franklin)
|-
|-
| 1913–1914 || [[Homer C. Hubbard]] || 2 || 8 || 7 || 0 || .533
| TAMU 28, Iowa State 12
|-
| Armstrong 5-yard run(Franklin)
| 1915–1919 || [[Charles Mayser]] || 5 || 21 || 11 || 2 || .647
|-
| 1920 || [[Norman C. Paine]] || 1 || 4 || 4 || 0 || .500
|-
| 1921 || [[Maury Kent]] || 1 || 4 || 4 || 0 || .500
|-
| 1922–1925 || [[Sam Willaman|Sam F. Willaman]] || 4 || 14 || 15 || 3 || .484
|-
| 1926–1930 || [[C. Noel Workman|Noel Workman]] || 5 || 11 || 27 || 3 || .305
|-
| 1931–1936 || [[George F. Veenker|George Veenker]] || 6 || 21 || 22 || 8 || .490
|-
| 1937–1940 || [[James J. Yeager|James Yeager]] || 4 || 16 || 19 || 1 || .458
|-
| 1941–1942 || [[Ray Donels]] || 1 1/3 || 3 || 8 || 1 || .292
|-
| 1942–1946 || [[Mike Michalske]] || 4 2/3 || 18 || 18 || 3 || .500
|-
| 1947–1953 || [[Abe Stuber]] || 7 || 24 || 38 || 3 || .393
|-
| 1954–1956 || [[Vince DiFrancesca]] || 3 || 6 || 21 || 1 || .232
|-
| 1957 || [[Jim Myers]] || 1 || 4 || 5 || 1 || .450
|-
| 1958–1967 || [[Clay Stapleton]] || 10 || 42 || 53 || 4 || .444
|-
| 1968–1972 || [[Johnny Majors|John Majors]] || 5 || 24 || 30 || 1 || .445
|-
| 1973–1978 || [[Earle Bruce]] || 6 || 36 || 32 || 0 || .529
|-
| 1979–1982 || [[Donnie Duncan]] || 4 || 18 || 24 || 2 || .432
|-
| 1983–1986 || [[Jim Criner]] || 3 4/5 || 16 || 24 || 2 || .405
|-
| 1986 || Chuck Banker || 1/5 || 1 || 1 || 0 || .500
|-
| 1987–1994 || [[Jim Walden]] || 8 || 28 || 57 || 3 || .335
|-
| 1995–2006 || [[Dan McCarney]] || 12 || 56 || 85 || 0 || .397
|-
| 2007–2008 || [[Gene Chizik]] || 2 || 5 || 19 || 0 || .208
|-
| 2009–2015 || [[Paul Rhoads]] || 7 || 32 || 55 || 0 || .368
|-
| 2016–present || [[Matt Campbell (American football coach)|Matt Campbell]] || 9+ || 64 || 51 || 0 || {{winpct|64|51}}
|}
|}


==Individual accomplishments==
Iowa State was favored in the Hall of Fame Bowl, but Texas A&M RB Curtis Dickey ran for a Hall of Fame Bowl record of 276 yards. Dickey had 184 yards in the first half, including runs of 54, 25, 35, and 21 yards.


===Statistical Leaders===
{| class="wikitable"
{{Main|Iowa State Cyclones football statistical leaders}}
|-
| Year
| 1973
| 1974
| 1975
| 1976
| 1977
| 1978
|-
| Record
| 4-7
| 4-7
| 4-7
| 8-3
| 8-4
| 8-4
|}


*All-Americans under Bruce
===First team All-Americans===
{{Main|List of Iowa State Cyclones football All-Americans}}
*1973- ROV Matt Blair
[[File:Leigh A. Wallace.png|thumb|upright|[[Polly Wallace]] was named to the [[1926 College Football All-America Team|1926 All-America Team]]]]
*1974- S Barry Hill
[[File:BreeceHall2019.jpg|thumb|upright|2× All-American [[Breece Hall]]]]
*1976- SE Luther Blue
*1977- NG Ron McFarland
*1978- TB Dexter Green
*1978- DT Mike Stensrud<ref name="Iowa State Media Guide- History"/>


Every year, several publications release lists of their ideal "team". The athletes on these lists are referred to as [[All-America]]ns. The NCAA recognizes five All-American lists. They are the [[Associated Press]] (AP), [[American Football Coaches Association]] (AFCA), [[Football Writers Association of America]] (FWAA), ''[[Sporting News]]'' (''TSN''), and the [[Walter Camp Football Foundation]] (WCFF). Since the establishment of the team in 1892, Iowa State has had 16 players honored a total of 24 times as [[All-America#Football|First Team All-America]] for their performance on the field of play. Included in these selections are 6 consensus selections, with four individuals earning the honor (Troy Davis and Breece Hall having earned the honor twice).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa-state/|title=Iowa State Cyclones All-America Selections|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/isuni.sidearmsports.com/documents/2015/5/5/FB_history.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129043149/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/isuni.sidearmsports.com/documents/2015/5/5/FB_history.pdf |date=2020-11-29 }} {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
===Dan McCarney era===


; Consensus All-Americans
*[[2000 Insight.com Bowl]]
*Iowa State 37
*[[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh]] 29

{{see also|2000 Iowa State Cyclones football team}}

In 2000, McCarney took the Cyclones to their first bowl game since 1978 and their first ever bowl victory. Led by senior QB [[Sage Rosenfels]], the Cyclones won against the [[University of Pittsburgh]] [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Panthers]] in the [[2000 Insight.com Bowl]] at [[Bank One Ballpark]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].

*[[2001 Independence Bowl]]
*[[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] 14
*Iowa State 13

Propelled by newcomer [[Seneca Wallace]], the Cyclones went to a second bowl game in 2001 against the [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] in the [[2001 Independence Bowl]] in [[Shreveport, Louisiana]]. They lost the game on a disputed missed field goal by Cyclone kicker Tony Yelk, which some people thought had sailed directly over the right goal post.

*[[2002 Humanitarian Bowl]]
*[[Boise State Broncos football|Boise State]] 34
*Iowa State 16

{{see also|2002 Iowa State Cyclones football team}}

Seneca Wallace would lead the Cyclones to a 6&ndash;1 start in 2002, including a near-win against the [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] in the [[Eddie Robinson Classic]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. Wallace dove towards the goal line at the last second but was ruled out shy of the end zone. At one point the Cyclones were ranked #9 in the country. They wouldn't finish the season as well as they began it. They finished the season 7-7 following a loss to [[Boise State]] in the [[Humanitarian Bowl]]. The following season wasn't as successful. The Cyclones finished 2003 with a 2&ndash;10 record. They were quarterbacked by redshirt freshman Austin Flynn, who went on to switch the wide receiver position in later seasons.

During a 2002 home game versus [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]], ISU quarterback Seneca Wallace scored on a 12-yard touchdown by running an estimated 120 yards backwards, forwards, and sideways on the field. Wallace dodged tackles and received numerous blocks from his offense, including one devastating block made by running back Michael Wagner. The play briefly catapulted Wallace into Heisman Trophy contention and was recognized by ESPN as the "Play of the Week." It has since been recognized as one of the great plays in college football history. The play is known among Iowa State fans simply as "The Run." Just as memorable to fans was the play-by-play given by Cyclone Radio broadcaster [[Pete Taylor]].

*[[2004 Independence Bowl]]
*Iowa State 17
*[[Miami Redhawks football|Miami (OH)]] 13

The 2004 season would be much more successful than 2003 for the Cyclones. Redshirt freshman Bret Meyer took over the quarterback spot and paired up with fellow redshirt freshman receiver [[Todd Blythe]] to make a lethal combination. The Cyclones had a chance to win the Big 12 North Title but fell short after a Missouri defender intercepted a pass intended for Jon Davis in the end zone. The Cyclones would go on to play the [[Miami RedHawks football|Miami RedHawks]] in the [[2004 Independence Bowl]]. They won the game 17&ndash;13. The Cyclones finished the season 7&ndash;5.

*[[2005 Houston Bowl]]
*[[TCU Horned Frogs football|TCU]] 27
*Iowa State 24

The Cyclones continued their success under McCarney in the [[2005 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2005 season]] with a 7&ndash;5 record. They missed out yet again on the Big 12 title when they lost in overtime to the [[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas Jayhawks]] after a missed field goal by Bret Culbertson. They led the game in the 4th quarter but allowed Kansas to come back. They got a berth in the [[2005 Houston Bowl]], but lost 24&ndash;27 to the [[TCU Horned Frogs football|TCU Horned Frogs]].

McCarney stepped down as head coach after a 4&ndash;8 season in [[2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2006]]. McCarney finished with a 56&ndash;85 all-time record.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Iowa State Cyclones|Name|Position|Year|Ref.}}
| Year
| 1995
|-
| [[Ed Bock]] || [[Guard (American football)|G]] || [[1938 College Football All-America Team|1938]] || <ref name="2016NCAA">{{cite web |title=FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/awards.pdf |website=NCAA.org |publisher=NCAA |access-date=July 11, 2021 |page=23 |date=2016}}</ref>
| 1996
| 1997
|-
| [[Mike Busch (baseball)|Mike Busch]] || [[Tight end|TE]] || [[1989 College Football All-America Team|1989]] || <ref name="2016NCAA" />
| 1998
| 1999
|-
| [[Troy Davis (running back)|Troy Davis]] || [[Running back|RB]] || [[1995 College Football All-America Team|1995]], [[1996 College Football All-America Team|1996]] || <ref name="2016NCAA" />
| 2000
| 2001
|-
| [[Breece Hall]] || [[Halfback (American football)|TB]] || [[2020 College Football All-America Team|2020]], [[2021 College Football All-America Team|2021]] || <ref name="hall">{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/randy-peterson/2020/12/30/iowa-state-football-breece-hall-track-cyclones-only-unanimous-all-american/4090720001/|title=Breece Hall is Iowa State's fourth consensus football All-American|first=Randy|last=Peterson|website=Des Moines Register}}</ref>
| 2002
| 2003
| 2004
| 2005
| 2006
|-
| Record
| 3-8
| 2-9
| 1-10
| 3-8
| 4-7
| 9-3
| 7-5
| 7-7
| 2-10
| 7-5
| 7-5
| 4-8
|}
|}


===College Football Hall of Fame inductees===
'''All-Americans under McCarney'''
In 1951, the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] opened in [[South Bend, Indiana]]. Since then, Iowa State has had two players inducted into the Hall of Fame.
*1995- RB Troy Davis
*1996- RB Troy Davis
*2000- C Ben Bruns<ref name="Iowa State Media Guide- History"/>


[[Ed Bock]] is widely considered the greatest offensive lineman in Iowa State history. During his 1938 senior season the team finished with a then best 7–1–1 record. At the conclusion of the season Bock became the first consensus first team [[All-America]]n in ISU history. Following his football career at Iowa State Bock worked for the [[Monsanto|Monsanto Chemical Company]] where he eventually rose to become CEO and President. Bock was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 1970.<ref name="footballfoundation.org"/>
===Gene Chizik era===

[[Gene Chizik]] signed as new head football coach, replacing [[Dan McCarney]]. To memorialize this momentous turn in football fortunes, ISU issued a priceless [http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/gene.jpg commemorative coin]. Today that coin remains one of the few lasting artifacts that proves the Chizek era ever actually took place. It lives on, however, as a prize in various fantasy football leagues. Iowa State wore 1977 throwback jerseys for the 2007 game against Iowa and re-introduced gold pants as a standard part of their uniform. It marked the 30th anniversary since the restart of the rivalry as well as the 30th anniversary of the 1977 Iowa State Peach Bowl team. They finished the season 3-9, including a 15-13 win over Iowa, and back-to-back wins against Kansas State and Colorado. All three wins were upsets. In 2008, Iowa State opened with two wins against weaker nonconference foes, before losing their next 10 games to finish the season 2-10. Chizik left the Cyclones after the season to become the head football coach of [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]].<ref>{{cite web| year=2008| url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48392&SPID=4653&DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=696729&Q_SEASON=2007| title=Iowa State Coach Gene Chizik|publisher= Iowa State University}}</ref>
[[Troy Davis (running back)|Troy Davis]] is considered the greatest running back in Iowa State history. Davis twice earned consensus All-American honors and was the first [[NCAA Division I-A]] running back to rush for over 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, a feat that has yet to be repeated. Davis finished 5th and 2nd in [[Heisman Trophy|Heisman]] voting in his sophomore and junior seasons, respectively.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> After completing his college career, Davis went on to have a 10-year career in the [[National Football League|NFL]] and [[Canadian Football League|CFL]], including as a member of the [[Edmonton Eskimos]] [[93rd Grey Cup|2005]] [[Grey Cup]] championship team. Davis was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in the class of 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://footballfoundation.org/news/2016/1/8/_55536.aspx?path=football|title=NFF Proudly Announces Impressive 2016 College Football Hall of Fame Class|date=8 January 2016 |publisher=National Football Foundation|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Iowa State Cyclones|Name|Seasons|Position|Inducted|Ref.}}
| Year
| 2007
|-
| [[Ed Bock]] || 1936–1938 || [[Guard (American and Canadian football)|G]] || 1970 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1491|title=Ed Bock (1970) - Hall of Fame|website=National Football Foundation}}</ref>
| 2008
|-
|-
| [[Troy Davis (running back)|Troy Davis]] || 1993–1996 || [[Running back|RB]] || 2016 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2395|title=Troy Davis (2016) - Hall of Fame|website=National Football Foundation}}</ref>
| Record
| 3-9
| 2-10
|}
|}


===Paul Rhoads era===
===Heisman Trophy===
The [[Heisman Trophy]] is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding college football player. In 1959 after Dwight Nichols led the Big 7 in total yardage (1,358) and points (54) he became the first player in Iowa State history to receive Heisman votes coming tied for 7th place overall. After his stellar 1972 campaign [[George Amundson]] became the second player in ISU history to receive Heisman votes when he finished in 7th place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/george-amundson-1.html |title=George Amundson College Stats - College Football at Sports-Reference.com |access-date=21 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503202911/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/george-amundson-1.html |archive-date=3 May 2014 }}</ref> In [[1995 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1995]] after a 23-year absence [[Troy Davis (running back)|Troy Davis]] became the third Cyclone to gain Heisman attention when he finished 5th. Then in [[1996 Iowa State Cyclones football team|1996]] at the conclusion of his second consecutive 2,000 yard season Davis nearly won the Heisman but ultimately was runner-up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/football/2016/09/13/former-cyclones-great-troy-davis-returns-ames/90296150/|title=Former Cyclones great Troy Davis returns to Ames|website=[[The Des Moines Register]]|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> In [[2020 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2020]], [[Breece Hall]] became the fourth Cyclone to receive Heisman votes when he finished in 6th place.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ksn.com/sports/local-sports/former-northwest-grizzly-breece-hall-finishes-sixth-in-heisman-voting/|title=Former Northwest Grizzly Breece Hall finishes sixth in Heisman voting|date=25 December 2020|access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref>
[[Paul Rhoads]] was announced as the 31st head coach in December 2008. Rhoads had previously spent time at Iowa State as an assistant coach in the late nineties and was raised only 20 miles from the school's football facilities.<ref>{{cite web | year=2008 | url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Ankeny,+IA&daddr=US-69+to:Jack+Trice+Stadium&hl=en&geocode=%3BFQPJfgIdZsVr-g%3B&mra=ls&sll=41.868165,-93.620565&sspn=0.481669,0.990143&ie=UTF8&ll=41.870583,-93.613129&spn=0.481653,0.990143&t=h&z=10|title=Ankeny to Jack Trice Stadium | publisher=[[Google Maps]] | accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref> Rhoads led Iowa State to a victory at Kent State in his first year, ending a 17 game road losing streak.<ref>{{cite web|year=2009 | url=http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/3811/iowa-state-breaks-nation-worst-losing-streak|title=Iowa State breaks nation-worst losing streak | publisher=[[ESPN]] | accessdate=2009-10-26}}</ref> In October 2009 the Cyclones defeated Baylor to end an 11 game losing stretch against conference opponents,<ref>{{cite web | year=2009 | url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=204816128 | title=Iowa State Claims First Big 12 Win Over Baylor | publisher=[[Iowa State University]] | accessdate=2009-10-26}}</ref> and then went on to defeat Nebraska in Lincoln for the first time since 1977.<ref>{{cite web | year=2009|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091024/SPORTS020602/91024006 | title=Cyclones pull off a stunner at Nebraska | publisher=[[The Des Moines Register]] | accessdate=2009-10-26}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> On December 31, 2009 the Cyclones capped off their season with an [[Insight.com Bowl]]victory over Minnesota.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bowls/2009-12-31-insight.com-bowl-iowa-state-minnesota_N.htm|work=USA Today | first1=Randy | last1=Peterson | title=Iowa State holds off Minnesota 14-13 in Insight Bowl|date=2010-01-01}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
In 2010 the Cyclones captured a milestone win over the #22 Texas Longhorns by a 28&ndash;21 margin. It was only the fourth ever road win over a ranked team in Iowa State history, and the first occurrence since a 33&ndash;31 victory over Oklahoma in 1990. It was also the first ever win by an Iowa State football team over Texas.<ref>[http://www.chron.com/sports/longhorns/article/Iowa-State-shocks-No-22-Texas-with-28-21-win-in-1705887.phpIowaState shocks No. 22 Texas with 28-21 win in Austin (Houston Chronicle, October 23, 2010)]</ref>
|+ style="{{NCAA color cell|Iowa State Cyclones}}" | Heisman Trophy voting

|- align=center
In 2011 Iowa State started off the season 3-0 including a triple overtime win over Iowa in Ames, and a win over Connecticut in East Hartford. The Cyclones would drop the next four games, starting out 0-4 in conference play but quickly bounce back. The Cyclones rebounded with a 41-7 win on October 29 at number 19 Texas Tech. In the process, Iowa State managed to rack up 512 total yards, the most since the Nov 22, 2008 game at Kansas State (626 yards at KSU). Several other school records were broken, including first-ever win in Lubbock, Texas (1-5 all-time), largest margin of victory against a ranked opponent (previous: 22-point margin of victory against No. 20 Nebraska, 2002), largest margin of victory against a ranked opponent as an unranked team (previous: 21-point margin of victory against No. 8 Missouri, 1981), largest margin of victory against a ranked opponent on the road (previous: 7-point margin of victory at No. 22 Texas, 2010), and most points scored against a ranked opponent since Nov. 9, 1996 (42 at No. 7 Colorado).<ref>[http://www.kcrg.com/sports/cyclones/Iowa-State-Upends-No-19-Texas-Tech-41-7-132866183.html Iowa State Upends No. 19 Texas Tech 41-7]</ref>
{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Iowa State Cyclones|Name|Year|Position|Class|Points|Place}}

|-
On November 18, Iowa State faced off against undefeated No. 2 Oklahoma State and Heisman frontrunner Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon in Ames. Down 24-7 early in the second half, Iowa State came back with 17 unanswered points to force overtime. In overtime, Iowa State scored on its first play from scrimmage, but Oklahoma State answered back with one. In the second overtime, Iowa State forced an interception and ran three run plays to beat Oklahoma State 37-31, smashing Oklahoma State's chances of playing for a national championship and Brandon Weeden's Heisman shot. Iowa State became bowl eligible with the win and improved to 6-4. The win over Oklahoma State marks Iowa State's first ever win against an opponent in the top 6 (AP polls).<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-1119-college-football-notes-20111119,0,502448.story Iowa State upsets No. 2 Oklahoma State in double overtime (Los Angeles Times, November 18, 2011)]</ref>
| [[Dwight Nichols]] || 1959 || [[Running back|RB]] || Senior || 126 || T-7th

|-
On September 8, 2012 Iowa State defeated Iowa 9-6 for its first win in Iowa City in 10 years.<ref>[http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/sports/other_college_football/Iowa-State-holds-off-Iowa-96_68459966 Iowa State holds off Iowa 9-6]</ref>
| [[George Amundson]] || [[1972 NCAA Division I-A football season#Heisman Trophy|1972]] || [[Running back|RB]] || Senior || 219 || 7th

|-
{| class="wikitable"
| [[Troy Davis (running back)|Troy Davis]] || [[1995 NCAA Division I-A football season#Heisman Trophy voting|1995]] || [[Running back|RB]] || Sophomore || 402 || 5th
|-
| [[Troy Davis (running back)|Troy Davis]] || [[1996 NCAA Division I-A football season#Heisman Trophy voting|1996]] || [[Running back|RB]] || Junior || 1,174 || 2nd
|-
| [[Breece Hall]] || 2020 || [[Running back|RB]] || Sophomore || 64 || 6th
|-
|-
| [[Breece Hall]] || 2021 || [[Running back|RB]] || Junior || 17 || 10th
| Year
| 2009
| 2010
| 2011
| 2012
| 2013
|-
|-
| Record
| 7-6
| 5-7
| 6-7
| 6-7
| 3-9
|}
|}


===Retired numbers===
==Championships and Rankings==
{{Also|List of NCAA football retired numbers}}

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
===Conference championships===
Iowa State has won 2 conference championships in school history. Both Iowa State conference championships were during their membership in the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA), which would later be known as the [[Big Eight Conference]].<ref name="bigeightsports.com"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="width:60%;"
|- style="background:#af1e2d; text-align:center;"
| <span style="color:yellow;">'''Year'''
| <span style="color:yellow;">'''Conference'''
| <span style="color:yellow;">'''Coach'''
| <span style="color:yellow;">'''Overall Record'''
| <span style="color:yellow;">'''Conference Record'''
| <span style="color:yellow;">'''Bowl Game'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1911{{dagger}} || [[Big Eight Conference|MVIAA]] || [[Clyde Williams (American football)|Clyde Williams]] || 6&ndash;1&ndash;1 || 2&ndash;0&ndash;1 || N/A
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1912{{dagger}} || [[Big Eight Conference|MVIAA]] || [[Clyde Williams (American football)|Clyde Williams]] || 6&ndash;2&ndash;0 || 2&ndash;0&ndash;0 || N/A
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=4 bgcolor=af1e2d| <span style="color:yellow;"> '''Conference Championships'''</span>
| colspan=2 bgcolor=af1e2d| <span style="color:yellow;"> '''2 MVIAA'''</span>
|-
|-
| colspan=6 style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Iowa State Cyclones|color=white}}| '''Iowa State Cyclones retired numbers'''
| colspan=6 | <small>{{dagger}} Denotes co-champions</small>
|}
|-
! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Iowa State Cyclones|color=white}}; width=50px | No.

! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Iowa State Cyclones|color=white}}; width=150px | Player
=== Divisional championships ===
! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Iowa State Cyclones|color=white}}; width=50px | Pos.
Iowa State competed in the Big 12 North Division from 1996-2010, winning a share of one division title during that time.
! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Iowa State Cyclones|color=white}}; width=100px | Tenure

! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Iowa State Cyclones|color=white}}; width=100px | Year retired
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="1" style="width:50%;"
! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Iowa State Cyclones|color=white}}; width=50px | Ref.
|-
|-
| '''30''' || Mike Cox || [[Fullback (gridiron football)|FB]]|| 1963–1964 || 1964 || <ref name="Cox">{{cite web |last1=Stevenson |first1=Levi |title=Is It Time for Iowa State Football to Have a "Ring of Honor"? |url=https://www.widerightnattylite.com/2018/7/27/17576418/is-it-time-for-iowa-state-football-to-have-a-ring-of-honor |website=Wide Right & Natty Lite |date=July 27, 2018 |publisher=SB Nation}}</ref>
! style="background:#af1e2d;" |<span style="color:yellow;"> Season
! style="background:#af1e2d;" |<span style="color:yellow;"> Division
! style="background:#af1e2d;" |<span style="color:yellow;"> CG Result
! style="background:#af1e2d;" |<span style="color:yellow;"> Opponent
! style="background:#af1e2d;" |<span style="color:yellow;"> PF
! style="background:#af1e2d;" |<span style="color:yellow;"> PA
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2004 Iowa State Cyclones football team|2004]]{{dagger}} || Big 12 North || - || N/A || N/A || N/A
|- align="center"
| colspan=3 bgcolor=af1e2d| <span style="color:yellow;"> '''Division Championships'''</span>
| colspan=3 bgcolor=af1e2d| <span style="color:yellow;"> '''1'''</span>
|-
|-
| colspan=6 | <small>† Denotes co-champions</small>
|}
|}


==Rivalries==
===Appearances in the final Associated Press Poll===
Iowa State has made 40 appearances in the [[AP Poll|Associated Press poll]] over 10 seasons, including 1 week in the Top 10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/teams/summary.cfm?teamid=51 |title=Iowa State AP Football Poll Summary - College Poll Archive - Historical College Football and Basketball Polls and Rankings |publisher=College Poll Archive |date= |accessdate=2013-04-22}}</ref> Iowa State has finished the year ranked in the final Associated Press poll of the season 2 times:
{| class="wikitable" st
|- style="background:#af1e2d; text-align:center;"
| <span style="color:yellow;">'''Year''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''Ranking''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''Record'''
|- align=center
| 1976 ||19||8&ndash;3
|- align=center
| 2000 ||25||9&ndash;3
|}


===Iowa===
==All-time Records==
{{Main|Iowa–Iowa State football rivalry}}


Iowa and Iowa State played each other 24 times between 1894 and 1934, before the Cy-Hawk Trophy was established. It was originally conceived and created as a traveling trophy by the Greater Des Moines Athletic Club in 1976, the trophy was first presented to the winner by [[Iowa Governor]] [[Robert D. Ray]] in 1977. That game was the first meeting between the two since 1934. The series halted after 1934 after then University of Iowa Athletic Director and head football coach [[Ossie Solem]] would not return calls to reschedule the rivalry. The rivalry was once again temporarily put to a halt in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 69 games in the series played through 2022, 40 of them have been played in Iowa City while 29 games have been contested in Ames. Iowa leads the series 47–24 through the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/iowa-state/vs/iowa|title=Winsipedia - Iowa State Cyclones vs. Iowa Hawkeyes football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>
===All-time record vs. Big 12 opponents===


===Kansas State===
{| class="wikitable"
{{Main|Iowa State–Kansas State football rivalry}}
|-
! School !! ISU Record !! Streak !! 1st Meeting
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]] || 6–7–0 || Lost 2 || 1988
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas]] || 38–48–6 || Won 4 || 1898
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]] || 49–45–4 || Lost 7 || 1917
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]] || 5–71–2 || Lost 15 || 1928
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]] || 18–27–3 || Lost 2 || 1926
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] || 1–10–0 || Lost 3 || 1979
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[TCU Horned Frogs football|TCU]] || 1-4–0 || Lost 1 || 1995
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]] || 3–9–0 || Lost 2 || 1967
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia]] || 1–1–0 || Won 1 || 2012
|}


The teams first met in 1917, when both schools were members of the [[Big Eight Conference]]. The match-up continued as an annual conference game through the schools' shift into the [[Big 12 Conference]]. The series has been dominated by long winning streaks for both teams, with each team's longest winning streak at 10 games. Iowa State leads the series 54–50–4 through the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/iowa-state/vs/kansas-state|title=Winsipedia - Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas State Wildcats football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>
===Season records===
{{main|List of Iowa State Cyclones football seasons}}
The Cyclones began playing football against other colleges in 1892.


===Coaching records===
===Missouri===
{{main|List of Iowa State Cyclones head football coaches}}
{{Main|Iowa State–Missouri football rivalry}}


[[Missouri Tigers football|Missouri]] and Iowa State first met in 1896 and the regional rivalry was born. Before the 1959 match-up between the two schools, which took place in [[Ames, Iowa]], field testing showed that the telephones the two schools used to communicate with their coaches in the coaches box were wired so that either school could hear what was happening on the other sideline. The problem was fixed before the game, but neither of the two coaches knew that. [[Northwestern Bell]] Telephone Company of Ames then decided to have a trophy made to commemorate the incident, and thus the Telephone Trophy was born.<ref name="iowastatecyclones">"[http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48360&SPID=4256&DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=537512 Telephone Trophy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929035928/http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48360&SPID=4256&DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=537512 |date=2011-09-29 }}"</ref><ref name="missouritigers">"[http://mutigers.cstv.com/trads/miss-mascot-trophy.html Mascot & Football Traditions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915065034/http://mutigers.cstv.com/trads/miss-mascot-trophy.html |date=2008-09-15 }}"</ref> When Missouri left the [[Big 12 Conference|Big 12]] for the [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] the rivalry was essentially ended. Missouri leads the rivalry 61–34–9 all-time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/iowa-state/vs/missouri|title=Winsipedia - Iowa State Cyclones vs. Missouri Tigers football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="width:75px;"| Years
! style="width:150px;" class="unsortable"| Coach
! style="width:75px;"| Seasons
! style="width:75px;"| Wins
! style="width:75px;"| Losses
! style="width:75px;"| Ties
! style="width:75px;"| Pct.
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1892 || [[Ira C. Brownlie]] || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || .750
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1893 || [[W. F. Finney]] || 1 || 0 || 3 || 0 || .000
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1894 || [[Bert German]] || 1 || 5 || 1 || 0 || .833
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1895-99 || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Glenn "Pop" Warner]] || 4 1/3 || 18 || 8 || 0 || .692
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1899 || [[Joe Meyers]] || 2/3 || 4 || 4 || 1 || .500
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1900 || [[C. E. Woodruff]] || 1 || 2 || 5 || 1 || .313
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1901 || [[Edgar N. Clinton|Edgar Clinton]] || 1 || 2 || 6 || 2 || .300
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1902-06 || [[A. W. Ristine]] || 5 || 36 || 10 || 1 || .766
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1907-12 || [[Clyde Williams (American football)|Clyde Williams]] || 6 || 33 || 14 || 2 || .694
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1913-14 || [[Homer C. Hubbard]] || 2 || 8 || 7 || 0 || .533
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1915-19 || [[Charles Mayser]] || 5 || 21 || 11 || 2 || .647
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1920 || [[Norman C. Paine]] || 1 || 4 || 4 || 0 || .500
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1921 || [[Maury Kent]] || 1 || 4 || 4 || 0 || .500
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1922–25 || [[Sam Willaman|Sam F. Willaman]] || 4 || 14 || 15 || 3 || .484
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1926–30 || [[C. Noel Workman|Noel Workman]] || 5 || 11 || 27 || 3 || .305
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1931-36 || [[George F. Veenker|George Veenker]] || 6 || 21 || 22 || 8 || .490
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1937–40 || [[James J. Yeager|James Yeager]] || 4 || 16 || 19 || 1 || .458
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1941-42 || [[Ray Donels]] || 1 1/3 || 3 || 8 || 1 || .292
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1942-46 || [[Mike Michalske]] || 4 2/3 || 18 || 18 || 3 || .500
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1947-53 || [[Emmett Stuber|Abe Stuber]] || 7 || 24 || 38 || 3 || .393
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1954-56 || [[Vince DiFrancesca]] || 3 || 6 || 21 || 1 || .232
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1957 || [[Jim Myers]] || 1 || 4 || 5 || 1 || .450
|- align=center
| 1958-67 || [[Clay Stapleton]] || 10 || 42 || 53 || 4 || .444
|- align=center
| 1968-72 || [[Johnny Majors|John Majors]] || 5 || 24 || 30 || 1 || .445
|- align=center
| 1973-78 || [[Earle Bruce]] || 6 || 36 || 32 || 0 || .529
|- align=center
| 1979–82 || [[Donnie Duncan]] || 4 || 18 || 24 || 2 || .432
|- align=center
| 1983–86 || [[Jim Criner]] || 3 4/5 || 16 || 24 || 2 || .405
|- align=center
| 1986 || Chuck Banker || 1/5 || 1 || 1 || 0 || .500
|- align=center
| 1987-94 || [[Jim Walden]] || 8 || 28 || 57 || 3 || .335
|- align=center
| 1995-2006 || [[Dan McCarney]] || 12 || 56 || 85 || 0 || .397
|- align=center
| 2007-08 || [[Gene Chizik]] || 2 || 5 || 19 || 0 || .208
|- align=center
| 2009–Present || [[Paul Rhoads]] || 6 || 28 || 38 || 0 || .424
|}


==Significant series==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="width:75px;" class="unsortable"| Totals
! style="width:150px;" class="unsortable"| Coaches
! style="width:75px;" class="unsortable"| Seasons
! style="width:75px;" class="unsortable"| Wins
! style="width:75px;" class="unsortable"| Losses
! style="width:75px;" class="unsortable"| Ties
! style="width:75px;" class="unsortable"| Pct.
|- align=center
| 1889–2013
| 32
| 120
| 507 || 610 || 46
| .456
|}<ref>http://www.cyclones.com//pdf8/848178.pdf?SPSID=48323&SPID=4653&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10700</ref>


=== Bowl games ===
===Colorado===
{{Expand section|date=August 2023}}


===Kansas===
Iowa State has appeared in 12 bowl games. Their overall bowl record is 3–9:
{{Expand section|date=August 2023}}


===Nebraska===
{| class="wikitable"
{{Expand section|date=August 2023}}
|- style="background:#af1e2d; text-align:center;"
| <span style="color:yellow;">'''Date''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''Bowl''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''W/L''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''Opponent''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''PF''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''PA'''
|- align=center
| December 18, 1971 || [[Sun Bowl]] || '''L''' || [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] || 15 || 33
|- align=center
| December 18, 1972 || [[Liberty Bowl]] || '''L''' || [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]] || 30 || 31
|- align=center
| December 31, 1977 || [[Chick-fil-A Bowl|Peach Bowl]]|| '''L''' || [[NC State Wolfpack football|NC State]] || 14 || 24
|- align=center
| December 20, 1978 || [[All-American Bowl|Hall of Fame Classic Bowl]] || '''L''' || [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]] || 12 || 28
|- align=center
| December 28, 2000 || [[2000 Insight.com Bowl|Insight.com Bowl]] || '''W''' || [[2000 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pittsburgh]] || 37 || 29
|- align=center
| December 27, 2001 || [[2001 Independence Bowl|Independence Bowl]] || '''L''' || [[2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]] || 13 || 14
|- align=center
| December 31, 2002 || [[2002 Humanitarian Bowl|Humanitarian Bowl]] || '''L''' || [[2002 Boise State Broncos football team|Boise State]] || 16 || 34
|- align=center
| December 28, 2004 || [[2004 Independence Bowl|Independence Bowl]] || '''W''' || [[2004 Miami RedHawks football team|Miami (OH)]] || 17 || 13
|- align=center
| December 31, 2005 || [[2005 Houston Bowl|Houston Bowl]]|| '''L''' || [[2005 TCU Horned Frogs football team|TCU]] || 24 || 27
|- align=center
| December 31, 2009 || [[2009 Insight Bowl|Insight Bowl]] || '''W''' || [[2009 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team|Minnesota]] || 14 || 13
|- align=center
| December 30, 2011 || [[2011 Pinstripe Bowl|Pinstripe Bowl]] || '''L''' || [[2011 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team|Rutgers]] || 13 || 27
|- align=center
| December 31, 2012 || [[2012 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]] || '''L''' || [[2012 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team|Tulsa]] || 17 || 31
|- style="background:#af1e2d; text-align:center;"
| <span style="color:yellow;">'''Total''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''12 Bowl Games''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''3–9''' || <span style="color:yellow;"> || <span style="color:yellow;">'''222''' || <span style="color:yellow;">'''304'''
|}


===Oklahoma===
==Future non-conference opponents==
{{Expand section|date=August 2023}}
{| class="wikitable"

|-style="background:#af1e2d; color: yellow" align="center"
===Oklahoma State===
| '''2015'''
{{Expand section|date=August 2023}}
| '''2016'''
| '''2017'''
| '''2018'''
| '''2019'''
| '''2020'''
| '''2021'''
| '''2022'''
| '''2023'''
| '''2024'''
| '''2025'''
|-align="center"
| vs [[Northern Iowa Panthers football|Northern Iowa]]<br />Sep. 5th
| vs [[Northern Iowa Panthers football|Northern Iowa]]<br />Sep. 3rd
| vs [[Northern Iowa Panthers football|Northern Iowa]]<br />Sep. 2nd
| vs [[South Dakota State Jackrabbits football|South Dakota State]]<br />Sep. 1st
| vs [[Northern Iowa Panthers football|Northern Iowa]]<br />Aug. 31st
| vs [[South Dakota Coyotes football|South Dakota]]<br />Sep. 5th
| vs [[Northern Iowa Panthers football|Northern Iowa]]<br />Sep. 4th
| at [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 10th
| vs [[Northern Iowa Panthers football|Northern Iowa]]<br />Sep. 2nd
| vs [[Arkansas State Red Wolves football|Arkansas State]]<br />TBA
| at [[Arkansas State Red Wolves football|Arkansas State]]<br />TBA
|-align="center"
| vs [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 12th
| at [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 10th
| vs [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 9th
| at [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 8th
| vs [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 14th
| at [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 12th
| vs [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 11th
|
| vs [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 9th
|
|
|-align="center"
| at [[Toledo Rockets football|Toledo]]<br />Sep. 19th
| vs [[San Jose State Spartans football|San Jose State]]<br />Sep. 24th
| at [[San Jose State Spartans football|San Jose State]]<br />Sep. 23rd
| vs [[Akron Zips football|Akron]]<br />Sep. 22nd
| at [[Akron Zips football|Akron]]<br />Sep. 21st
| vs [[UNLV Rebels football|UNLV]]<br />Sep. 19th
| at [[UNLV Rebels football|UNLV]]<br />Sep. 18th
|
|
|
|
|}
<ref name="nonconfopp">{{cite web| title=Iowa State Cyclones Football Schedules|publisher=fbschedules.com| url=http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/big-12/iowa-state-cyclones.php|accessdate=2014-06-01}}</ref>


==Facilities==
==Facilities==
Line 649: Line 406:
{{Main|Jack Trice Stadium}}
{{Main|Jack Trice Stadium}}
{{See also|Jack Trice}}
{{See also|Jack Trice}}
Jack Trice Stadium (formerly Cyclone Stadium) is a [[stadium]] in [[Ames, Iowa]]. It is primarily used for [[college football]], and is the home field of the Iowa State University Cyclones. It opened on September 20, 1975 (with a win against [[Air Force Falcons football|Air Force]]), and with hillside tickets it officially has 55,000 seats. The current record for single-game attendance, 56,800, was set on October 13, 2012 when the #24 Cyclones played [[Kansas State Wildcats football|#5 Kansas State]]. In 1997, the stadium was named in honor of [[Jack Trice]], ISU's first [[African American]] athlete and the school's first athletics-related fatality. The stadium is the only stadium in [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I-A]] named for an African American individual.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blackhistory2008/news/story?id=3242390 ISU only I-A school to honor African-American in stadium name]</ref>
Jack Trice Stadium (formerly Cyclone Stadium) is a [[stadium]] in [[Ames, Iowa]]. It is primarily used for [[college football]], and is the home field of the Iowa State University Cyclones. It opened on September 20, 1975 (with a win against [[Air Force Falcons football|Air Force]]), and with hillside tickets it officially has 61,500 seats. The current record for single-game attendance, 61,500, was set on September 5, 2015, when the Cyclones played [[Northern Iowa Panthers|Northern Iowa]]. In 1997, the stadium was named in honor of [[Jack Trice]], ISU's first [[African American]] athlete and the school's first athletics-related fatality. The stadium is the only stadium in [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] named for an African American individual.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/blackhistory2008/news/story?id=3242390|title=ESPN|date=12 February 2008}}</ref>


===Bergstrom Indoor Facility===
===Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility===
[[File:Bergstrom2 Iowa State University.jpg|thumb|Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility]]
[[File:Bergstrom2 Iowa State University.jpg|thumb|Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility]]


The Steve and Debbie Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility opened in March 2004. It is a {{convert|92000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} multi-purpose, indoor practice facility. Inside the facility is a full-sized [[astroturf]] [[American football field|football field]]. Though typically associated with [[American football|football]], it is also used for practice by the [[softball]] and [[soccer]] teams, as well as community events. The building sits just northwest of Jack Trice Stadium and is part of the [[Johnny Majors]] Practice Complex. The facility cost $9.6 million to build and was funded by private gifts to the athletic department and ISU Foundation.
The Steve and Debbie Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility opened in March 2004. It is a {{convert|92000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} multi-purpose, indoor practice facility. Inside the facility is a full-sized [[American football field|football field]]. Though typically associated with [[American football|football]], it is also used for practice by the [[softball]] and [[soccer]] teams, as well as community events. The building sits just northwest of Jack Trice Stadium and is part of the [[Johnny Majors]] Practice Complex. The facility cost $9.6 million to build and was funded by private gifts to the athletic department and ISU Foundation.


On October 26, 2012, Iowa State dedicated a $20.6 million, 156,000 square-foot, expansion of the football facility with an additional lead gift from the Bergstrom family. This included replacing the playing surface of the indoor facility, a state-of-the-art strength and conditional facility, a coaches office complex, positional meeting rooms, an auditorium, and spacious locker rooms. This completed the goal for Iowa State to have a stand-alone football-only training facility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclones.com/facilities/?id=4|title=Iowa State Athletics|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref>
===Football Training Facility===
Currently a 20.6 million dollar structure is being added to the Bergstrom Indoor Facility. This new building will house all offices, training rooms, meeting rooms, lockers (for the Cyclones) and more. Construction is scheduled to be completed Fall 2012.<ref name="cyclones.com">((cite web|url= http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=205362641 |title=VIDEO: Virtual Tour Of New Football Facility))</ref>


===Jacobson Athletic Building===
===Jacobson Athletic Building===
Located off the north [[end zone]] of Jack Trice Stadium, The Jacobson Athletic Building currently houses all football offices, locker rooms, meeting rooms, strength and conditioning room, and [[sports medicine]] room. In addition to football, it also houses administrative and coaches offices (except men's and women's basketball).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46691&SPID=4256&DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=541506|title=Jacobson Athletic Building}}</ref> All football space (except visitors lockers) will be moved to a new Football Training facility to the west of the Jacobson Building. Space vacated will be reassigned to other sports.<ref name="cyclones.com"/>
Built in 1995 and located off the north [[end zone]] of Jack Trice Stadium, The Jacobson Athletic Building formerly housed the football offices, locker rooms, meeting rooms, strength and conditioning room, and [[sports medicine]] room. The space was renovated in 2008 and 2009 to use the vacated space by the football team. It now is home to men's and women's golf, tennis, swimming, wrestling, cross country and track and field. This allows the entire athletic department staff to be under one roof with the exception of men's and women's basketball and volleyball.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclones.com/facilities/?id=15 |title=Iowa State Athletics|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref>


===Other facilities===
===Former Stadiums===
*State Field (1892–1913)
'''Former Stadiums'''
*[[Clyde Williams Field]] (1914–1974) Martin and Eaton residence halls now stand on the ground formerly occupied by Clyde Williams Field, northwest of Friley Hall and south of State Gym.
*State Field (1892&ndash;1913)
*Clyde Williams Field (1914&ndash;1974) Martin and Eaton residence halls now stand on the ground formerly occupied by Clyde Williams Field, northwest of Friley Hall and south of State Gym.


==Pageantry and Traditions==
==Pageantry and traditions==


===Team name===
===Team name===
Originally, the Iowa Agricultural College ([[Iowa State University]]) teams were known as the "Cardinals".<ref name="Cyclones: the nickname">{{cite web | year=2006 | url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=89525&SPID=4256&DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=537495 | accessdate=2009-04-20 | publisher=Iowa State University|title=Cyclones: the nickname}}</ref> The name was changed after Sept. 29, 1895, when under legendary coach [[Glenn "Pop" Warner]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/2001/pop_warner.html|accessdate=2009-04-20 | title=Glenn Pop Warner}}</ref> the Cardinals routed the [[Northwestern Wildcats]], 36-0. Inspired by an extremely active tornado (then called "cyclone") season, the next day, the [[Chicago Tribune]] headline read: "Struck by a Cyclone." The article went on to say, "Northwestern might as well have tried to play football with an Iowa cyclone as with the team it met yesterday." Since then the Iowa State teams have been known as the "Cyclones".<ref name="Cyclones: the nickname"/>
Originally, the Iowa Agricultural College ([[Iowa State University]]) teams were known as the "Cardinals."<ref name="Cyclones: the nickname">{{cite web|year=2006 |url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=89525&SPID=4256&DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=537495 |access-date=2009-04-20 |publisher=Iowa State University |title=Cyclones: the nickname |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227163218/http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=89525&SPID=4256&DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=537495 |archive-date=2011-02-27 }}</ref> The name was changed after Sept. 29, 1895, when under legendary coach [[Pop Warner]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/2001/pop_warner.html |title=Glenn Pop Warner|publisher=Buffalosportshallfame.com |access-date=2013-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202052655/http://buffalosportshallfame.com/2001/pop_warner.html |archive-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref> the Cardinals routed the [[Northwestern Wildcats]], 36–0. Inspired by an extremely active tornado (then called "cyclone") season, the next day, the [[Chicago Tribune]] headline read: "Struck by a Cyclone." The article went on to say, "Northwestern might as well have tried to play football with an Iowa cyclone as with the team it met yesterday." Since then the Iowa State teams have been known as the "Cyclones."<ref name="Cyclones: the nickname"/>


===Jack Trice===
===Jack Trice===
{{Main|Jack Trice}}
{{Main|Jack Trice}}
[[Jack Trice]] was Iowa State's first African-American athlete; he was also the first and only Iowa State athlete to die from injuries sustained during athletic competition. He died three days after his first game playing for Iowa State against the [[University of Minnesota]] on October 6, 1923. He suffered a broken collarbone early on, but continued to play until he was trampled by a group of Minnesota players. It is disputed whether he was trampled on purpose or if it was an accident. A statue commemorates him outside of the stadium that is named for him, [[Jack Trice Stadium]]. His legacy was forgotten until the 70's when students discovered a plaque commemorating him in State Gym. They decided to put up a petition to name the stadium, at the time known as Cyclones Stadium, after him. Originally they got the field named after him in 1984. The stadium was named Jack Trice Stadium in 1997. It is the only [[NCAA Division I]] stadium named after an African-American.<ref name="Iowa State Media Guide- History">{{cite web|year=2008|url=http://www.cyclones.com//pdf7/134422.pdf?SPSID=48396&SPID=4653&DB_OEM_ID=10700| title=Iowa State Media Guide- History| publisher= Iowa State University}}</ref>
[[Jack Trice]] was Iowa State's first African-American athlete; he was also the first and only Iowa State athlete to die from injuries sustained during athletic competition. He died three days after his first game playing for Iowa State against the [[University of Minnesota]] on October 6, 1923. He suffered a broken collarbone early on, but continued to play until he was trampled by a group of Minnesota players. It is disputed whether he was trampled on purpose or if it was an accident. A statue commemorates him outside of the stadium that is named for him, [[Jack Trice Stadium]]. His legacy was forgotten until the 1970s, when students discovered a plaque commemorating him in State Gym. They decided to put up a petition to name the stadium, at the time known as Cyclones Stadium, after him. Originally they got the field named after him in 1984. The stadium was named Jack Trice Stadium in 1997. It is the only [[NCAA Division I]] stadium named after an African-American.<ref name="Iowa State Media Guide- History">{{cite web|year=2008 |url=http://www.cyclones.com//pdf7/134422.pdf?SPSID=48396&SPID=4653&DB_OEM_ID=10700 |title=Iowa State Media Guide- History |publisher=Iowa State University |access-date=2015-06-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212145/http://www.cyclones.com//pdf7/134422.pdf?SPSID=48396&SPID=4653&DB_OEM_ID=10700 |archive-date=2015-09-23}}</ref>


===Cannon===
===Cannon===
The members of the Iowa State Chapter of [[Alpha Sigma Phi]] man and maintain a cannon that is discharged at home football games when the Iowa State team takes the field, following the first kickoff, the kickoff following half-time, all Iowa State kickoffs, and immediately following an Iowa State touchdown.<ref name="Iowa State Traditions">{{cite web| year=2008| url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&KEY=&ATCLID=542993&SPID=4256&SPSID=89525| publisher=Iowa State University| title=Iowa State Traditions}}</ref>
The members of the Iowa State Chapter of [[Alpha Sigma Phi]] man and maintain a cannon that is discharged at home football games when the Iowa State team takes the field, following the first kickoff, the kickoff following half-time, all Iowa State kickoffs, and immediately following an Iowa State touchdown.<ref name="Iowa State Traditions">{{cite web|year=2008 |url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&KEY=&ATCLID=542993&SPID=4256&SPSID=89525 |publisher=Iowa State University |title=Iowa State Traditions |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329061857/http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&KEY=&ATCLID=542993&SPID=4256&SPSID=89525 |archive-date=2012-03-29 }}</ref>


===Mascot===
===Mascot===

[[File:Cy the mascot.JPG|thumb|upright|Cy the Cardinal, Iowa State's mascot.]]
[[File:Cy the mascot.JPG|thumb|upright|Cy the Cardinal, Iowa State's mascot.]]
{{Main|Cy the Cardinal}}
{{Main|Cy the Cardinal}}


Iowa State uses a cardinal, named Cy, as its mascot instead of an actual tornado or Cyclone. In 1954, the student pep council began the process of creating a mascot to build school spirit. As a Cyclone would be difficult to depict in a costume, a cardinal was selected from the school's official colors and original team namesake. The name of Cy was selected via a naming contest, being submitted by 17 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=537489 |title=Cy - Iowa State University Athletics Official Web Site - www.CYCLONES.com - The home of Iowa State Cyclone Sports |publisher=www.CYCLONES.com |date= |accessdate=2013-04-22}}</ref>
Iowa State uses a cardinal, named Cy, as its mascot instead of an actual tornado or Cyclone. In 1954, the student pep council began the process of creating a mascot to build school spirit. As it would be difficult to, quote "stuff a cyclone", a cardinal was selected from the school's official colors and original team namesake. The name of Cy was selected via a naming contest, being submitted by 17 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=537489 |title=Cy Iowa State University Athletics Official Web Site The home of Iowa State Cyclone Sports |publisher=Cyclones.com |access-date=2013-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424102359/http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=537489 |archive-date=2013-04-24 }}</ref>


Prior to the football matchup against the [[University of Colorado at Boulder|University of Colorado]] on November 12, 2005 a tornado touched down in Ames, Iowa and forced fans to either stand out in the parking lot and watch the storm or flee to shelter in Hilton Coliseum. It created such an atmosphere that Iowa State was able to win over the favored [[Colorado Buffaloes|Buffaloes]] 30–16. When asked about the event, Colorado coach Gary Barnett said, "I thought we had a pretty good mascot. But when we showed up at Iowa State and they had a real tornado, that's the real deal."<ref name="Iowa State Traditions"/>
Prior to the football matchup against the [[University of Colorado at Boulder|University of Colorado]] on November 12, 2005, a tornado touched down in Ames, Iowa, and forced fans to either stand out in the parking lot and watch the storm or flee to shelter in Hilton Coliseum. It created such an atmosphere that Iowa State was able to win over the favored [[Colorado Buffaloes|Buffaloes]] 30–16. When asked about the event, Colorado coach [[Gary Barnett]] said, "I thought we had a pretty good mascot. But when we showed up at Iowa State and they had a real tornado, that's the real deal."<ref name="Iowa State Traditions"/>


===Tailgating===
===Tailgating===
Iowa State is well regarded for [[Tailgate party|Tailgating]]. The layout of Jack Trice Stadium on a flood-plain accommodates ample parking space immediately surrounding the stadium. Cyclone fans typically arrive hours before kick-off in large [[SUV]]s and [[Recreational Vehicle]]s to grill popular Midwestern foods such as [[pork loin]], [[bratwurst]], [[hamburgers]] and [[hot dogs]] and drink copious amounts of [[beer]].
Iowa State is well regarded for [[Tailgate party|tailgating]]. The layout of Jack Trice Stadium on a flood-plain accommodates ample parking space immediately surrounding the stadium. Cyclone fans typically arrive hours before kick-off in large [[SUV]]s and [[Recreational Vehicle|RVs]] to grill popular Midwestern foods such as [[pork loin]], [[bratwurst]], [[hamburgers]] and [[hot dogs]].


[[File:ISUVictory Bell.jpg|thumb|Iowa State's Victory Bell]]
===Rivalries/Trophy games===

*[[Iowa–Iowa State football rivalry|Iowa]]<ref name="Iowa State Traditions"/>
*[[Iowa State–Kansas State football rivalry|Kansas State]]<ref name="Iowa State Traditions"/>

[[Image:ISUVictory Bell.jpg|thumb|Iowa State's Victory Bell]]


{{Missouri-Iowa State football rivalry Telephone trophy Game}}


===Victory bell===
===Victory bell===
Located immediately outside and north of Jack Trice Stadium, the victory bell is rung following a Cyclone victory. Forged in 1890 the victory bell served on campus to signal dismissal from classes before being moved to Clyde Williams Field and subsequently to Jack Trice Stadium.<ref name="Iowa State Traditions"/>
Located immediately outside and north of Jack Trice Stadium, the victory bell is rung following a Cyclone victory. Forged in 1890 the victory bell served on campus to signal dismissal from classes before being moved to Clyde Williams Field and subsequently to Jack Trice Stadium.<ref name="Iowa State Traditions"/>


===Tornado Siren===
===Tornado siren===
To go along with the installation of the new video board and sound system prior to the 2011 football season, a [[Civil defense siren|tornado siren]] is sounded after touchdowns, defensive stands, and other big plays. While the tornado siren is a new tradition, it is one that numerous Cyclones fans have asked the Iowa State athletic director to implement for many years, especially since the Colorado-Iowa State game of November 12, 2005, when a tornado touched down in Ames and sirens were heard throughout town during what normally would have been pregame activities. Since then, its implementation has become an extremely popular aspect of the Jack Trice Stadium experience.
To go along with the installation of the new video board and sound system prior to the 2011 football season, a [[Civil defense siren|tornado siren]] is sounded after touchdowns, defensive stands, and other big plays. While the tornado siren is a new tradition, it is one that numerous Cyclones fans have asked the Iowa State athletic director to implement for many years, especially since the Colorado-Iowa State game of November 12, 2005, when a tornado touched down in Ames and sirens were heard throughout town during what normally would have been pregame activities. Since then, its implementation has become an extremely popular aspect of the Jack Trice Stadium experience.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}


==Future non-conference opponents==
==Coaches==
Schedules as of Aug 30, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/iowa-state/ |title=Iowa State Cyclones Future Football Schedules |website=FBSchedules.com |access-date=August 30, 2024}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
===Coaching staff===
|+ style="{{NCAA color cell|Iowa State Cyclones}}" | Future non-conference opponents
[[Paul Rhoads]] was hired on December 20, 2008 to be Iowa State's new head coach. His original contract was reported to be a 5-year deal worth $5.75 million.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cyclones.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&KEY=&SPID=4653&SPSID=48392| title=Iowa State Coaches}}</ref> On December 16, 2011, Iowa State University announced that Coach Rhoads signed an extension with the university. The exact details are not yet known, but it is a 10-year deal worth a total of 20 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205348112&DB_OEM_ID=10700| title=Rhoads Agrees To New 10-Year, $20 Million Contract }}</ref>
|- align=center
*Head Coach: '''[[Paul Rhoads]] (B.S., Missouri Western '89) (M.E.D., Utah State '91)'''
{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Iowa State Cyclones|2025|2026|2027|2028|2029|2030|2031}}
*Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends: '''[[Mark Mangino]] (B.S., Youngstown State '87)'''
*Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers: '''Wally Burnham (Samford '63) '''
*Wide Receivers: '''Tommy Mangino (Washburn '08)'''
*Quarterbacks: '''Todd Sturdy (St. Ambrose [IA] '90)'''
*Offensive Line: '''Brandon Blaney (Youngstown State '99)'''
*Defensive Tackles: '''Shane Burnham (South Carolina '98)'''
*Defensive Ends: '''Stan Eggen (Morehead State '77)'''
*Secondary: '''Maurice Linguist (Baylor '88)'''
*Running Backs: '''Louis Ayeni (Northwestern '06)'''
*Director of Strength and Conditioning: '''Yancy McKnight (Missouri Southern State '01)'''
*Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach: '''Clayton Oyster (Otterbein [OH] '02)'''
* Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach: '''Erich Anthony (Iowa State '11) '''
* Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach: '''Brett Bueker (Iowa State '12)'''
* Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach: '''Adam Potts (Hannibal-LaGrange '10) '''
*Director of Operations: '''Markus Alleyne (Concordia)'''
*Assistant Recruiting Coordinator: '''Nick Uhlenhopp (Graceland '02)'''
*Associate Student Assistant for Recruiting: '''Gerrit Chernoff (Michigan '08)'''
* Offensive Graduate Assistant: '''Pete Brown (Lindenwood '10)'''
*Defensive Graduate Assistant: '''Shane Dowty (Iowa '10)'''
*Offensive Quality Control Graduate Assistant: '''Reece Petty (Kansas '10)'''
*Defensive Quality Control Graduate Assistant: '''Derek Day (Butler '09)'''
*Video Coordinator: '''Mike Motl (Wisconsin '90)'''
*Director of Equipment Operations: '''Jon Sedgwick'''
*Assistant Director of Equipment Operations: '''Lenny Brown'''
*Assistant Director of Equipment Operations: '''Ryan McGorry'''

== Recruiting ==
Iowa State Cyclones Football Scout.com team recruiting rankings:

{|
!
Class
!
Scout.com

Rank
!
Commits
!
Top Commit
|
|-
|-
| [[South Dakota Coyotes football|South Dakota]]<br />Aug. 30th
!
| [[Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football|Southeast Missouri State]]<br />Sep. 5th
2013
| [[South Dakota State Jackrabbits football|South Dakota State]]<br />Sep. 4th
|64
| [[Northern Iowa Panthers football|Northern Iowa]]<br />Sep. 2nd
|25
| [[North Dakota Fighting Hawks football|North Dakota]]<br />Sep. 1st
|Jake Campos
| [[South Dakota Coyotes football|South Dakota]]<br />Aug. 31st
|
| [[Northern Iowa Panthers football|Northern Iowa]]<br />Aug. 30th
|-
|-
| [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 6th
!
| at [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 12th
2012
| [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]<br />Sep. 11th
|76
| [[Tulane Green Wave football|Tulane]]<br />Sep. 16th
|20
| at [[Tulane Green Wave football|Tulane]]<br />Sep. 15th
|Duaron Williams
| [[UNLV Rebels football|UNLV]]<br />Sep. 14th
|
|-
|-
| at [[Arkansas State Red Wolves football|Arkansas State]]<br />Sep. 13
!
| [[Bowling Green Falcons football|Bowling Green]]<br />Sep. 19th
2011
| at [[Bowling Green Falcons football|Bowling Green]]<br />Sep. 18th
|69
|22
|Jaquarius Daniels
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
!
2010
|73
|29
|Pierce Richardson
|
|-
!
2009
|75
|18
|A.J. Klein
|
|-
!
2008
|58
|25
|Jeremiah Schwartz
|
|-
!
2007
|69
|26
|Jamicah Bass
|
|-
!
2006
|59
|30
|Devin McDowell
|
|-
!
2005
|50
|25
|Walter Nickel
|
|-
!
2004
|57
|29
|Brandon Gunn
|
|-
!
2003
|60
|26
|James Wright
|
|-
!
2002
|69
|10
|Austin Flynn
|
|-
!
|}
|}


==See also==
==Individual accomplishments==
*[[List of Iowa State Cyclones football All-Americans]]
*[[Iowa State Cyclones football statistical leaders]]
*[[List of Iowa State Cyclones in the NFL draft]]


==References==
===Heisman Trophy===
{{Reflist|30em}}
The [[Heisman Trophy]] is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding college football player. Two Iowa State players have received votes for the Heisman Trophy, with one finishing runner-up.


==Bibliography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* {{cite book |url=http://www.nmnathletics.com//pdf1/40656.pdf?SPSID=56164&SPID=4653&DB_OEM_ID=10700 |year=2006 |title=Iowa State Cyclone Football |author=Iowa State University |access-date=2020-05-14 |archive-date=2020-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203041250/http://www.nmnathletics.com/pdf1/40656.pdf?SPSID=56164&SPID=4653&DB_OEM_ID=10700 |url-status=dead }}
|-
* {{cite book|title = Pop Warner|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=CnJoCgAAQBAJ|publisher = McFarland|date = August 3, 2015|isbn = 978-1-4766-2274-3|first = Jeffrey J.|last = Miller }}
! Year !! Player !! Position !! Class !! Place !! Points
|-
| 1972 || {{sortname|George|Amundson}} || Senior || RB || 7 || 219
|-
| 1995 || [[Troy Davis (gridiron football)|Troy Davis]] || Sophomore || RB || 5 || 402
|-
| 1996 || Troy Davis || Junior || RB || 2 || 1,174
|}
<small>'''''Bold''' indicates winner''</small>

===Cyclones in the NFL===
*See [[List of Iowa State Cyclones to play in the NFL]]<ref name="Iowa State Media Guide- History"/>

===Cyclones All-Americans===
*See [[List of All-Time Iowa State Cyclones All-Americans]]<ref name="Iowa State Media Guide- History"/>

==Notes==

{{Empty section|date=December 2012}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Iowa State Cyclones football}}
{{commons category|Iowa State Cyclones football}}
* {{Official website|1=http://www.cyclones.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=10700&SPID=4653&SPSID=48323}}
* {{Official website}}


{{Iowa State Cyclones football navbox}}
{{Iowa State Cyclones football navbox}}
Line 879: Line 505:
{{Big 12 Conference football navbox}}
{{Big 12 Conference football navbox}}


[[Category:Iowa State Cyclones football|*]]
[[Category:Iowa State Cyclones football| ]]
[[Category:Sports clubs established in 1892]]
[[Category:American football teams established in 1892]]
[[Category:1892 establishments in Iowa]]

Latest revision as of 22:41, 3 January 2025

Iowa State Cyclones football
2024 Iowa State Cyclones football team
First season1892; 133 years ago
Athletic directorJamie Pollard
Head coachMatt Campbell
9th season, 64–51 (.557)
StadiumJack Trice Stadium
(capacity: 61,500)
Field surfaceGrass
LocationAmes, Iowa
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
Past conferencesIndependent
(1892–1907)
Missouri Valley
(1908-1927)
Big Eight
(1928–1995)
All-time record560–670–46 (.457)
Bowl record6–13 (.316)
Conference titles2 (1911, 1912)[1]
Division titles1 (2004)
RivalriesIowa (rivalry)
Kansas State (rivalry)
Missouri (rivalry)
Consensus All-Americans6
Current uniform
ColorsCardinal and gold[2]
   
Fight songISU Fights
Marching band"Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band"
OutfitterNike
Websitecyclones.com

The Iowa State Cyclones football program is the intercollegiate football team at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The team is coached by Matt Campbell. The Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference, and are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) member of the NCAA. The Cyclones play their home games at Jack Trice Stadium, with a capacity of 61,500. The Iowa State Cyclones football team drew an average home attendance of 60,384 in 2023, the 28th highest in college football.[3]

History

[edit]

Early history (1892–1967)

[edit]
Legendary coach Pop Warner co-coached Iowa State's earliest football teams

Football first made its way onto the Iowa State campus in 1878 as a recreational sport, but it wasn't until 1892 that an organized group of athletes first represented Iowa State in football. In 1894, college president William M. Beardshear spearheaded the foundation of an athletic association to officially sanction Iowa State football teams. The 1894 team finished with a 6–1 mark, including a 16–8 victory over what is now the University of Iowa.[4]

One of the pioneers of football, Pop Warner, spent time at Iowa State early in his career. In 1895 despite already being the coach at Georgia he was offered $25 per week to come to Iowa State, whose season started in mid-August while Georgia's started a month later, as well as to provide weekly advice during the rest of the season.[5] Soon after Warner left for Georgia, Iowa State had its first game of the season. Iowa State came into Evanston as the underdog Iowa State then defeated Northwestern 36–0. A Chicago sportswriter called the team "cornfed giants from Iowa" while the Chicago Tribune's headline read, "Struck by a Cyclone". Since then, Iowa State teams have been known as the Cyclones. Overall, the team had three wins and three losses and, like Georgia, Iowa State retained Warner for the next season. In 1896 the team had eight wins and two losses.[6] Despite leaving Cornell in 1898, Warner remained as the head coach of Iowa State for another year. During his last three years at Iowa State the team had a winning season but Warner was unable to match his 1896 triumph.[6] After playing at Iowa and then serving as an assistant coach for two years, Clyde Williams came to Ames as an assistant coach for ISU. Williams served as the Cyclones' head football coach for six seasons from 1907 to 1912. During that time, he had a coaching record of 32–15–2. This ranks him fifth at Iowa State in total wins and fourth at Iowa State in winning percentage.[7] In addition, he led Iowa State to two Missouri Valley Conference football titles in 1911 and 1912, which are the only two conference football championships in school history.[8] In addition to his football contributions Williams was the school's first men's basketball coach from 1908 to 1911, where he compiled a 20–29 record. He also served as Iowa State's baseball coach, and was their athletic director from 1914 to 1919. In 1914 Iowa State completed construction of their new football field and it was named Clyde Williams Field in honor of the former coach. Williams was inducted into the State of Iowa Hall of Fame in 1956. He is also one of the few people inducted into both the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame (inducted 1993) and the Iowa State athletics Hall of Fame (inducted 1997).[9] The success Iowa State found in the inception of their football program was not replicated for most of the mid-20th century. In 1922 after having two different head coaches in as many years, ISU hired up-and-comer Sam Willaman away from East Technical HS in Cleveland, OH. When Willaman came to Iowa state, he brought with him six of his former East Tech players, including Jack Trice. Trice was the first African-American player at Iowa State, and one of the first African-Americans to play football in the Midwest. Trice suffered a severe malicious injury during a game at Minnesota in 1923, and died from complications. In 1997, Iowa State's Cyclone Stadium was renamed Jack Trice Stadium in his honor,[10] becoming the first and as of 2020, the only, major college football stadium to be named for a black man.[11] In his first season, Willaman's team finished with a 2–6 record, but posted a winning record in each of the three years that followed. His career coaching record at Iowa state was 14–15–3. This ranks him 16th in total wins and 13th in winning percentage in Iowa State football history.[7]

George F. Veenker went 21–22 during his coaching career at Iowa State

In February 1931, George F. Veenker accepted an offer to become the head football coach for Iowa State.[12] Under Veenker, Iowa State experienced a brief period of success. When Veenker joined Iowa State, the team was coming off a winless season in 1930 and had lost 16 consecutive games dating back to October 1929. In his first year, the 1931 team defeated Missouri 20–0, Oklahoma 13–12, and Kansas State 7–6, compiling a 5–3 record and finishing in second place in the Big Six Conference. In November 1931, the Ames Daily Tribune-Times called Veenker "a veritable miracle man of football" for taking a school where "Cyclone football morale couldn't have been lower" and turning the program around in his first season. The highlight of Veenker's career as Iowa State's football coach was a 31–6 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in 1934. The game was the last meeting between the two schools until 1977. Veenker resigned in 1936, leaving an overall record of 21–22–8.[13] Shortly after Veenker's death in 1959, the university-owned golf course was renamed Veenker Memorial Golf Course in his honor.[14] During the 1938 season, James J. Yeager was in his second year as head coach. Despite going 3–6 in 1937, the Cyclones would go on to a then-best record of 7–1–1. The team was led by outstanding senior guard, Ed Bock. At the conclusion of the season Bock became the first consensus first-team All-American in Iowa State history.[15] Bock was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970.[16] In 1942, Iowa State hired former Green Bay Packers All-Pro guard and three-time NFL champion Mike Michalske to be the new head coach. Michalske achieved moderate success in his five seasons at Iowa State, finishing with an 18–18 record. Abe Stuber took over as the Cyclones head coach in 1947 and coached the team until 1953, compiling a record of 24–38–3.[17] Vince DiFrancesca was the 21st head coach at Iowa State, leading the team to a record of 6–21–1 from 1954 to 1956.[18] Oregon State assistant coach Clay Stapleton was the head football coach at Iowa State for ten seasons. He is known mainly for his 1959 team the "Dirty Thirty". The Cyclones' struggles continued under his tutelage. Seven-win campaigns in 1959 and 1960 were the only winning seasons of his tenure.[19] Stapleton was relieved of his duties following the 1967 season.

Johnny Majors era (1968–1972)

[edit]

In 1968, in an attempt to turn the team around, Iowa State hired former standout Tennessee running back and up-and-coming Arkansas assistant Johnny Majors as the 24th head coach in program history. The rebuilding process got off to a slow start as the Cyclones finished 3–7 in his first two seasons. In 1970 the process started moving forward, and the team finished tied for 6th in the Big Eight with a record of 5–6. The 1971 team was picked to finish last in the Big Eight, but overcame odds to finish 4–3 in the conference and 8–3 in the regular season. The only teams they lost to in the conference, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado, ended up first, second, and third in the final rankings. The team was led by junior running back George Amundson, who Majors called "the finest athlete I have coached in any job I have had." Iowa State had one defensive all-conference pick, LB Keith Schroeder. Amundson rushed for 1,260 yards, including a school-record 15 touchdowns. End Keith Krepfle had 40 receptions for 570 yards and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Dean Carlson threw for a school-record 1,867 yards. These efforts were enough to earn a bid to the 1971 Sun Bowl, the first bowl game in program history. Iowa State was slated to play against LSU on December 18, 1971. Iowa State was outmatched by LSU and future NFL quarterback Bert Jones, falling to the Tigers, 33–15. LSU was ranked 11 after the bowls, but Iowa State was left out of the top 20.[20]

Iowa State tailback Mike Strachan #33 carries the football during a 1972 game against Oklahoma

In 1972, Iowa State saw the loss of five starters and the move of George Amundson from running back to quarterback to replace Dean Carlson. The Cyclones lost linebacker Matt Blair to a pre-season injury, which forced him into a medical redshirt. The Cyclones tied Nebraska 23–23 on a missed extra point by Iowa State's Tom Goedjen. Three players went on to be named to the first team All-Big Eight team as well be honored as All-Americans, offensive lineman Geary Murdoch, defensive end Merv Krakau and quarterback George Amundson. Amundson was named Big Eight player of the year over Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Rodgers. It was in this year that Iowa State became known as D-Tackle U, similar to Penn State's moniker "Linebacker U". Iowa State's 5–5–1 regular season record was enough to earn them an invitation to the 1972 Liberty Bowl against Georgia Tech. Despite outstanding play, Iowa State lost 31–30 on a failed late-game two-point conversion attempt by George Amundson.[21] At the conclusion of the 1972 season, Majors announced his departure from Iowa State to take the head coaching job at Pittsburgh.[22]

Earle Bruce era (1973–1978)

[edit]

In order to continue the success experienced under Johnny Majors Iowa State hired Earle Bruce out of Tampa. With newfound excitement around ISU football, the university broke ground on a new $7.6 million stadium that would eventually become Jack Trice Stadium. Despite future Minnesota Vikings star linebacker Matt Blair being a first team All-American, the Cyclones struggled to a 4–7 finish in Bruce's inaugural 1973 season. Over the next two seasons the Cyclones experienced moderate success but both seasons ended again with 4–7 records. However, Bruce's fourth team blossomed as one of the best teams in school history. En route to their 8–3 final record, the Cyclones scored wins against No. 7 Missouri and No. 9 Nebraska. In spite of the Cyclones' finishing the 1976 season ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll, Iowa State was ultimately snubbed by the bowls. Even so, Bruce was selected as Big Eight Coach of the Year.[23] Iowa State followed up their strong 1976 campaign with another eight-win season in 1977. The Cyclones beat No. 9 Nebraska for the second time in a row and were ranked as high as No. 16 in the AP Poll at one point. Their 5–2 conference record and 8–4 overall record were good enough for a bid to the 1977 Peach Bowl against North Carolina State. Ultimately Iowa State lost the game 14–24.[24] The Cyclones returned 14 starters from the 1977 Peach Bowl team including Heisman Trophy candidate, Dexter Green and Outland Trophy hopeful, Mike Stensrud. Iowa State's post season hopes came down to their last game against Colorado which was nationally televised. The game was close throughout, with ISU clinging to a 17–10 halftime lead. The second half was a defensive battle, but the ISU defense came up with big plays down the stretch. Mike Stensrud had 16 stops and caused a fumble to help ISU preserve a 20–16 win over the Buffaloes. The win earned ISU a bid to the 1978 Hall of Fame Classic against Texas A&M. Iowa State opened the game with two touchdowns, but was unable to convert the extra point on either attempt. The Cyclones were not able to contain future first round NFL draft pick Curtis Dickey, who rushed for 278 yards and a touchdown, and Iowa State lost 28–12.[25] At the conclusion of the 1978 season, Bruce announced he would leave Iowa State to take the head coaching job at Ohio State.[26]

Donnie Duncan era (1979–1982)

[edit]

In order to continue the success found under Earle Bruce, Iowa State hired Oklahoma assistant Donnie Duncan as its 26th head football coach. He held the position for four seasons, from 1979 until 1982. His 1980 and 1981 Cyclones squads both made appearances in the national rankings. The 1981 Cyclones began the season at 5–1–1 and rose to No. 11 in the AP Poll. Led by future NFL players Dwayne Crutchfield, Dan Johnson, Karl Nelson and Chris Washington, the Cyclones tied No. 5 Oklahoma 7–7 and downed No. 8 Missouri 34–13.[27] However, the success was short lived, and Duncan resigned with a career record of 18–24–2 after the 1982 season.[28]

Jim Criner era (1983–1986)

[edit]

Following the 1982 season Iowa State hired Jim Criner, who had won the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship as the head coach at Boise State.[29] During Criner's tenure the Cyclones experienced mild success, however they were embroiled in controversy, with multiple players arrested on different charges as well as several NCAA allegations of wrongdoings. The allegations included coaches giving players cash as well as giving recruits rides and meals. Criner's rough tenure came to an end November 12, 1986, when the school announced his firing.[30] Criner's final career record at Iowa State was 17–25–2.[7]

Jim Walden era (1987–1994)

[edit]

Jim Walden succeeded Jim Criner at Iowa State, where he compiled a 28–57–3 over eight seasons. ISU had been hit with scholarship reductions by the NCAA, both because of infractions by the previous coach, and an overall reduction in scholarships for Division I-A for the 1988 season.[31] In his first four years as Iowa State's head coach, he had just 57, 61, 63, and 67 scholarship players.[32] Walden had only 47 scholarship players on the squad that he took to Lincoln to play Nebraska on October 28, 1989, and they lost 49–17.[33] Walden was the last Iowa State coach to defeat Oklahoma, until Matt Campbell, which they did on October 20, 1990.[34] Oklahoma was ranked 16th in the nation at the time.[35] They had narrowly missed an upset the year before, losing in Ames 43–40. Walden's best record with the Cyclones was 6–5 in 1989. After the 1989 season, Walden was offered the head coaching job at the University of Arizona, but he declined, citing a number of people at Iowa State telling him it would be "devastating" if he left. In retrospect, Walden said he was "too dumb" to leave.[36]

Walden's teams were plagued with injuries, especially at quarterback. In 1991, third-string quarterback Kevin Caldwell, who had begun the season as a tailback, started the final five games under center for the Cyclones.[37] Walden played four different quarterbacks in a 41–0 loss to Kansas in 1991.[38] In 1992, Walden installed the triple-option offense[39] and had mixed results. Iowa State lost to in-state rivals Iowa and UNI early in the 1992 season. The loss to UNI was Walden's first to a Division I-AA school. It was also UNI's first victory over the Cyclones since 1900.[40] Iowa State bounced back to shock the seventh-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers at home on November 14, 1992. The victory was even more improbable as Walden's third-string quarterback, Marv Seiler, would make his first career start.[41] Walden's 1993 squad went 3–8, but with an upset of 18th ranked Kansas State.[42] Walden ended the 1993 campaign with a walk-on quarterback, Jeff St. Clair.

In the spring of 1994, Walden recruited running back Troy Davis out of Miami, Florida. Davis later had consecutive 2,000-yard rushing seasons, but not until after Walden's departure. After starting the 1994 campaign 0–2, many fans began to criticize Walden's coaching ability. He began his weekly press conference by handing out the records of Dennis Erickson, Johnny Majors, and Earle Bruce while they were at Washington State and Iowa State. He then handed out Iowa State's overall record in football since fielding its first team in 1892, which, at the time, was 423–461–45, a .480 percentage, and compared his record to that one. Walden claimed that he was as good a coach or better than Erickson, Majors, and Bruce.[43] On Thursday, November 3, 1994, after starting the season 0–7–1, Walden informed his team that he would resign at season's end.[44] He was allowed to coach his final three games by the university, but was banned from coaching his last game at Colorado because of criticizing the officials after the Kansas State game. Kansas State's Nyle Wiren had body-slammed Walden's quarterback Todd Doxzon into the turf head first.[45] No penalty was called and Walden, with nothing to lose, went off on the officiating after the game: "I've kept quiet too long, but since I'm leaving there's nothing they can do about me. I think the refereeing in this league is atrocious ... What do you do with bad officials? Do they get fired? You fire bad players and bad coaches. Bad officials get a raise and go fishing."[46] Walden coached his final game on November 12 against Nebraska in Ames. Iowa State had an 0–8–1 record and Nebraska was undefeated, with a No. 1 ranking. Unbelievably, Walden's Cyclones hung with the Huskers. At the end of the third quarter, Nebraska led by only two points, 14–12. The final quarter proved to be too much for Walden's team, and Nebraska won the game 28–12.[47] The Cyclones finished with a winless 0–10–1 record in Walden's final 1994 season. Walden ranks sixth at Iowa State in total wins and 22nd in winning percentage.[7]

Dan McCarney era (1995–2006)

[edit]

To turn the program around Iowa State hired Wisconsin defensive coordinator, Dan McCarney. The lone bright spot that McCarney inherited was sophomore running back phenom Troy Davis. Davis would go on to break nearly every Iowa State rushing and touchdown record, most that still stand.[48] Davis twice earned unanimous All-American honors, and became the first NCAA Division I-A running back to rush for over 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, a feat that has yet to be repeated. Davis finished 5th and 2nd in Heisman voting in his 1995 and 1996 campaigns respectively.[48] McCarney would go 10–34 in his first four seasons as the Cyclones head coach. In McCarney's sixth season, the Cyclones were finally able to put together a competitive team. The 2000 Cyclones were quarterbacked by Sage Rosenfels. Sage is among many former Cyclones from the 2000 team to make it to the NFL. Others were J. J. Moses, Reggie Hayward, Ennis Haywood, Tony Yelk, Mike Banks, Jordan Carstens, Tyson Smith and James Reed. Despite Iowa State being picked by the media to finish 5th in the Big 12 North Division, the Cyclones finished with a 5–3 conference record and a 9–3 overall record.[49] ISU finished the season ranked No. 25 and their nine wins were the program's best total since 1906. The Cyclones were then invited to play in the Insight.com Bowl against Pittsburgh, Iowa State's first appearance in a bowl game since the 1978 Peach Bowl. Iowa State was able to beat the Panthers 37–29, earning their first bowl victory in program history.[50] In an interesting side note, Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator in this game, Paul Rhoads, would eventually become the 31st Iowa State head coach.

The 2001 season saw the emergence of JUCO transfer Seneca Wallace and star wide receiver Lane Danielson. The dynamic duo led the Cyclones to a last-second win over Iowa,[51] a 7–5 overall record, and an invitation to the Independence Bowl against Alabama, their second consecutive bowl game. The Cyclones just missed a 47-yard field goal attempt with 0:46 remaining in the fourth, which would have given State the lead and potential victory. The Cyclones lost the game 13–14. Subsequent to the game there was some question about whether or not the field goal was actually good, as it sailed directly over one of the uprights.[52] Seneca Wallace would lead the Cyclones to a 6–1 start in 2002, including a near-win against the Florida State Seminoles in the Eddie Robinson Classic at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Wallace dove towards the goal line at the last second but was ruled out shy of the end zone. During a later home game versus Texas Tech, Wallace scored on a 12-yard touchdown by running an estimated 120 yards backwards, forwards, and sideways on the field. Wallace dodged tackles and received numerous blocks from his teammates, including one devastating block by running back Michael Wagner. The play briefly catapulted Wallace into Heisman Trophy contention and was recognized by ESPN as the "Play of the Week." It has since been recognized as one of the great plays in college football history. The play is known among Iowa State fans simply as "The Run." Ultimately their 7–7 record was enough to receive a bid to the Humanitarian Bowl against Boise State on the Broncos' blue home field where they were defeated, 16–34.[53]

The 2004 season would be much more successful than the disappointing 2–10 2003 campaign for the Cyclones. Redshirt freshman Bret Meyer took over the quarterback spot and paired up with fellow redshirt freshman receiver Todd Blythe to make a lethal combination. The season got off to a slow start with a 2–4 overall record and a 0–3 record in the conference. McCarney turned the season around by winning the next four games in a row. The Cyclones had a chance to win the Big 12 North title but fell short after a Missouri defender intercepted a pass intended for Jon Davis in the end zone. The Cyclones would go on to play the Miami RedHawks in the 2004 Independence Bowl. In the Independence Bowl, Iowa State prevailed for a 17–13 win as Meyer rolled up 236 yards of total offense. Meyer and Stevie Hicks each rushed for over 100 yards, an Independence Bowl first. All-Big 12 cornerback Ellis Hobbs iced the win with a 41-yard interception return in the game's final minute, and the Cyclones held on to win 17–13.[54] The Cyclones continued their success under McCarney in the 2005 season. High points during the season include a blowout win against No. 8 Iowa and a home victory over No. 22 Colorado. They missed out yet again on the Big 12 title when they lost in overtime to Kansas after a missed field goal by Bret Culbertson. They led the game in the 4th quarter but allowed Kansas to come back.[55] The Cyclones earned a berth in the 2005 Houston Bowl, but lost 24–27 to the TCU Horned Frogs. TCU opened the game with back-to-back first quarter rushing touchdowns. The Cyclones responded with two Bret Meyer touchdown passes and forced a TCU safety. Late in the fourth quarter the game was tied at 24–24 but the Cyclones ultimately suffered yet another bowl loss on a fourth-quarter field goal.[56] McCarney stepped down as head coach after a 4–8 2006 season, and finished his Iowa State head-coaching career as the program's winningest head coach with a 56–85 all-time record.[57]

Gene Chizik year (2007–2008)

[edit]

To replace Dan McCarney, Iowa State hired much-touted Texas defensive coordinator Gene Chizik.[58] The Cyclones wore 1977 throwback jerseys for the 2007 contest against Iowa and re-introduced gold pants as a standard part of their uniform. It marked the 30th anniversary since the resumption of the Cy-Hawk rivalry as well as the 30th anniversary of the 1977 Iowa State Peach Bowl team. They finished the season 3–9, including a 15–13 win over Iowa, and back-to-back wins against Kansas State and Colorado. All three wins were upsets. In 2008, Iowa State opened with two wins against weaker non-conference foes, before losing their next 10 games to finish the season 2–10. Chizik left the Cyclones suddenly after the season to become the head football coach at Auburn amid great acrimony.[59]

Paul Rhoads era (2009–2015)

[edit]
Rhoads as the head coach of Iowa State during a home game against Oklahoma State
Cyclone cheerleaders, 2009

Auburn defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads was introduced as the 31st head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones on December 20, 2008.[60] Rhoads had previously spent time at Iowa State as an assistant coach in the late 1990s and was raised only 20 miles from Ames in Ankeny.[61] His father, Cecil, was one of the winningest coaches in Iowa high school history,[62] coaching for more than three decades and has been inducted into the Iowa High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Rhoads' contract was reported to be a 5-year deal worth $5.75 million plus incentives.[63] To round out his coaching staff, Rhoads hired up-and-coming offensive coordinator out of Rice, Tom Herman and veteran defensive coordinator Wally Burnham.

Rhoads opened his ISU career with a win over FCS North Dakota State. He then led Iowa State to a victory at Kent State first year, ending a 17-game Cyclones road losing streak.[64] In October 2009 the Cyclones defeated Baylor to end an 11-game losing stretch against conference opponents,[65] and then went on to defeat Nebraska in Lincoln for the first time since 1977.[66] Their 6–6 record was enough to earn them an invitation to the Insight.com Bowl against Minnesota. Rhoads would win his first bowl game in his inaugural year as coach at Iowa State, beating the Golden Gophers 14–13.[67] The lone highlight of the 2010 season was the first ever win at Texas in school history, upsetting the 22nd-ranked Longhorns 28–21.[68] The Cyclones would finish the season 3–5 in the Big 12 and 5–7 overall.

In 2011 Iowa State started off the season 3–0 including a triple-overtime win over Iowa in Ames, and a win over Connecticut in East Hartford. The Cyclones would drop the next four games, starting out 0–4 in conference play, but they quickly bounced back with a 41–7 win on October 29 at No. 19 Texas Tech. In that game, Iowa State managed to rack up 512 total yards, the most since the Nov 22, 2008 game at Kansas State. Several other school records were broken, including first-ever win in Lubbock, largest margin of victory against a ranked opponent, and most points scored against a ranked opponent since November 9, 1996.[69] On November 18, Iowa State faced off against undefeated No. 2 Oklahoma State led by Heisman frontrunner Brandon Weeden and two time Biletnikoff winner Justin Blackmon[70] in Ames. Down 24–7 early in the second half, Iowa State came back with 17 unanswered points to force overtime. In overtime, Iowa State scored on its first play from scrimmage, but Oklahoma State answered back with their own touchdown. In the second overtime, Iowa State forced an interception and ran three Jeff Woody dives in a row to beat Oklahoma State 37–31, smashing Oklahoma State's chances of playing for a national championship and Brandon Weeden's Heisman shot. Iowa State became bowl eligible with the win and improved to 6–4. The win over Oklahoma State marked Iowa State's first ever win against an opponent in the top 6 (AP polls).[71] The Cyclones finished the season 6–6 and would receive an invitation to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the Pinstripe Bowl, which they went on to lose, 27–13.[72]

The Cyclones opened the 2012 season 3–0 including a 9–6 win at Iowa for the first time in 10 years. The other major highlight of the season was ending TCU's then-longest winning streak in college football by upsetting the No. 15 ranked Horned Frogs in Fort Worth 37–23.[73] The 2012 season ended 6–7 and a berth in that year's Liberty Bowl against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Iowa State opened the game strong but they ultimately lost 31–17.[74] While things appeared to be moving in a positive direction for the Cyclones, Rhoads' future teams were unable to continue the success of his earlier teams. In his final three seasons, the Cyclones won just four Big 12 games (including a winless conference record in 2014) and went 8–27 overall. The 2015 season proved to be particularly difficult, as the Cyclones held double-digit halftime leads against both Oklahoma State and Kansas State only to lose both games late in the fourth quarter. Following a 38–35 loss to Kansas State on November 21, in which he came under heavy criticism for play-calling in the game's final 90 seconds,[75] Rhoads was fired as head coach, effective at the conclusion of the season.[76][77]

Matt Campbell era (2016–present)

[edit]
Head coach Matt Campbell

Matt Campbell, who had been the head coach at the University of Toledo, was named head coach at Iowa State on November 29, 2015.[78] Campbell signed a six-year contract worth $2 million his first year.[79] Campbell finished his first season as a Cyclone with a record of 3–9. Despite the disappointing record there were several high points during the season that showed progress including several near upsets and a blowout win over Texas Tech. The 66–10 rout of the Red Raiders included breaking several school records including points scored in a conference game.[80]

In Campbell's second season, the Cyclones experienced greater on-field success. After opening the season 2–2, the Cyclones upset the eventual conference champions the No. 3 ranked Oklahoma Sooners.[81] This was Iowa State's first win in Norman since 1990 and only their sixth win against Oklahoma all-time. They followed up the Oklahoma win by going undefeated in the month of October, including a win over No. 4 TCU.[82] During the season the Cyclones were ranked as high as No. 14 in the AP Poll.[83] Finishing the regular season 7–5 and fourth in the Big 12, Iowa State was invited to the Liberty Bowl where they defeated No. 20 Memphis 21–20, their first bowl victory in eight years.[84] Campbell agreed to a six-year, $22.5 million extension with the school on November 27, 2017.[85] On November 30, 2017, Campbell was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year.[86] In the 2018 season, the Cyclones had a disappointing 1–3 start. However, coach Campbell lead the Cyclones to a regular season record of 8–4, including 6 Big 12 conference wins, and a win over No. 6 West Virginia.[87] The Cyclones were invited to the Alamo Bowl, where they lost 28–26 to Washington State.[88] On December 3, 2019, Campbell and Iowa State agreed to a contract extension through 2025.[89]

Featuring Quarterback Brock Purdy,[90] and All-American Running Back Breece Hall,[91] the 2020 season was one of the most successful seasons in Cyclones history. Despite losing their season opener to the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns from the Sun Belt Conference, they recovered quickly and defeated No. 18 Oklahoma two weeks later in Ames. Two weeks later, the No. 17 Cyclones lost to No. 6 Oklahoma State 24–21 in Stillwater. This would be their only conference loss for the season, as they went on to win the rest of their regular season games and clinched a spot in their first-ever Big 12 Championship Game, a rematch with No. 10 Oklahoma. At the time of the Big 12 Championship Game, the Cyclones were ranked No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings, their highest CFP ranking ever. Although the Cyclones lost this game 27–21, they were invited to the Fiesta Bowl, where they defeated the No. 25 Oregon Ducks 34–17 in their first-ever New Year's Six bowl game. After the season ended, the Cyclones finished ranked No. 9 in both the AP and Coaches Poll, their highest final ranking ever. On February 8, 2021, Campbell and Iowa State agreed to a contract extension through 2028.[92]

In 2023, the Cyclones team became embroiled in an illegal sports-betting scandal. Both defensive lineman Isaiah Lee and the Cyclones’ leading rusher for the 2022 season Jirehl Brock were charged following an investigation into illegal sports betting, and they subsequently left the team. Three other players charged in the investigation were quarterback Hunter Dekkers, offensive lineman Jacob Remsburg and tight end DeShawn Hanika all of which remained on the team roster, with Remsburg being the only to play again for the Cyclones.[93]

Conference affiliations

[edit]

Championships

[edit]

Conference championships

[edit]

Iowa State has won two conference championships in school history. Both Iowa State conference championships were during their membership in the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA), which would later be known as the Big Eight Conference.[1] Iowa State currently has the longest conference championship drought in FBS history.[94]

Year Conference Coach Overall record Conference record
1911 MVIAA Clyde Williams 6–1–1 2–0–1
1912 6–2 2–0

† Co-champions

Division championships

[edit]

Iowa State competed in the Big 12 North Division from 1996 to 2010, winning a share of one division title during that time (since 2011, the conference has had the top two teams matched for the title game).

Year Division Coach Overall record Conference record Opponent CG result
2004 Big 12 North Dan McCarney 7–5 4–4 N/A lost tie-breaker to Colorado

† Co-champions

Associated Press Poll appearances

[edit]

As of Week 1 of the 2022 season, Iowa State has made 70 appearances[95] in the Associated Press poll and been ranked in the final Associated Press poll of the season three times.[96]

Year Ranking Record
1976 No. 19 8–3
2000 No. 25 9–3
2020 No. 9 9–3

Bowl games

[edit]

Iowa State has appeared in 19 bowl games. Their overall bowl record is 6–13.[97]

Date Coach Bowl Opponent Result
December 18, 1971 Johnny Majors Sun Bowl LSU L 15–33
December 18, 1972 Johnny Majors Liberty Bowl Georgia Tech L 30–31
December 31, 1977 Earle Bruce Peach Bowl NC State L 14–24
December 20, 1978 Earle Bruce Hall of Fame Classic Texas A&M L 12–28
December 28, 2000 Dan McCarney Insight.com Bowl Pittsburgh W 37–29
December 27, 2001 Dan McCarney Independence Bowl Alabama L 13–14
December 31, 2002 Dan McCarney Humanitarian Bowl Boise State L 16–34
December 28, 2004 Dan McCarney Independence Bowl Miami (OH) W 17–13
December 31, 2005 Dan McCarney Houston Bowl TCU L 24–27
December 31, 2009 Paul Rhoads Insight Bowl Minnesota W 14–13
December 30, 2011 Paul Rhoads Pinstripe Bowl Rutgers L 13–27
December 31, 2012 Paul Rhoads Liberty Bowl Tulsa L 17–31
December 30, 2017 Matt Campbell Liberty Bowl Memphis W 21–20
December 28, 2018 Matt Campbell Alamo Bowl Washington State L 26–28
December 28, 2019 Matt Campbell Camping World Bowl Notre Dame L 9–33
January 2, 2021 Matt Campbell Fiesta Bowl Oregon W 34–17
December 29, 2021 Matt Campbell Cheez-It Bowl Clemson L 13–20
December 29, 2023 Matt Campbell Liberty Bowl Memphis L 26–36
December 28, 2024 Matt Campbell Pop-Tarts Bowl Miami (FL) W 42–41

Head coaches

[edit]

Iowa State has had 32 head coaches in program history.[18] The current head coach is Matt Campbell.[98]

Years Coach Seasons Wins Losses Ties Pct.
1892 Ira C. Brownlie 1 1 0 1 .750
1893 W. F. Finney 1 0 3 0 .000
1894 Bert German 1 5 1 0 .833
1895–1899 Pop Warner 4 1/3 18 8 0 .692
1899 Joe Meyers 2/3 4 4 1 .500
1900 C. E. Woodruff 1 2 5 1 .313
1901 Edgar Clinton 1 2 6 2 .300
1902–1906 A. W. Ristine 5 36 10 1 .766
1907–1912 Clyde Williams 6 33 14 2 .694
1913–1914 Homer C. Hubbard 2 8 7 0 .533
1915–1919 Charles Mayser 5 21 11 2 .647
1920 Norman C. Paine 1 4 4 0 .500
1921 Maury Kent 1 4 4 0 .500
1922–1925 Sam F. Willaman 4 14 15 3 .484
1926–1930 Noel Workman 5 11 27 3 .305
1931–1936 George Veenker 6 21 22 8 .490
1937–1940 James Yeager 4 16 19 1 .458
1941–1942 Ray Donels 1 1/3 3 8 1 .292
1942–1946 Mike Michalske 4 2/3 18 18 3 .500
1947–1953 Abe Stuber 7 24 38 3 .393
1954–1956 Vince DiFrancesca 3 6 21 1 .232
1957 Jim Myers 1 4 5 1 .450
1958–1967 Clay Stapleton 10 42 53 4 .444
1968–1972 John Majors 5 24 30 1 .445
1973–1978 Earle Bruce 6 36 32 0 .529
1979–1982 Donnie Duncan 4 18 24 2 .432
1983–1986 Jim Criner 3 4/5 16 24 2 .405
1986 Chuck Banker 1/5 1 1 0 .500
1987–1994 Jim Walden 8 28 57 3 .335
1995–2006 Dan McCarney 12 56 85 0 .397
2007–2008 Gene Chizik 2 5 19 0 .208
2009–2015 Paul Rhoads 7 32 55 0 .368
2016–present Matt Campbell 9+ 64 51 0 .557

Individual accomplishments

[edit]

Statistical Leaders

[edit]

First team All-Americans

[edit]
Polly Wallace was named to the 1926 All-America Team
2× All-American Breece Hall

Every year, several publications release lists of their ideal "team". The athletes on these lists are referred to as All-Americans. The NCAA recognizes five All-American lists. They are the Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News (TSN), and the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF). Since the establishment of the team in 1892, Iowa State has had 16 players honored a total of 24 times as First Team All-America for their performance on the field of play. Included in these selections are 6 consensus selections, with four individuals earning the honor (Troy Davis and Breece Hall having earned the honor twice).[99][100]

Consensus All-Americans
Name Position Year Ref.
Ed Bock G 1938 [101]
Mike Busch TE 1989 [101]
Troy Davis RB 1995, 1996 [101]
Breece Hall TB 2020, 2021 [102]

College Football Hall of Fame inductees

[edit]

In 1951, the College Football Hall of Fame opened in South Bend, Indiana. Since then, Iowa State has had two players inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Ed Bock is widely considered the greatest offensive lineman in Iowa State history. During his 1938 senior season the team finished with a then best 7–1–1 record. At the conclusion of the season Bock became the first consensus first team All-American in ISU history. Following his football career at Iowa State Bock worked for the Monsanto Chemical Company where he eventually rose to become CEO and President. Bock was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970.[16]

Troy Davis is considered the greatest running back in Iowa State history. Davis twice earned consensus All-American honors and was the first NCAA Division I-A running back to rush for over 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, a feat that has yet to be repeated. Davis finished 5th and 2nd in Heisman voting in his sophomore and junior seasons, respectively.[48] After completing his college career, Davis went on to have a 10-year career in the NFL and CFL, including as a member of the Edmonton Eskimos 2005 Grey Cup championship team. Davis was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in the class of 2016.[103]

Name Seasons Position Inducted Ref.
Ed Bock 1936–1938 G 1970 [104]
Troy Davis 1993–1996 RB 2016 [105]

Heisman Trophy

[edit]

The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding college football player. In 1959 after Dwight Nichols led the Big 7 in total yardage (1,358) and points (54) he became the first player in Iowa State history to receive Heisman votes coming tied for 7th place overall. After his stellar 1972 campaign George Amundson became the second player in ISU history to receive Heisman votes when he finished in 7th place.[106] In 1995 after a 23-year absence Troy Davis became the third Cyclone to gain Heisman attention when he finished 5th. Then in 1996 at the conclusion of his second consecutive 2,000 yard season Davis nearly won the Heisman but ultimately was runner-up.[107] In 2020, Breece Hall became the fourth Cyclone to receive Heisman votes when he finished in 6th place.[108]

Heisman Trophy voting
Name Year Position Class Points Place
Dwight Nichols 1959 RB Senior 126 T-7th
George Amundson 1972 RB Senior 219 7th
Troy Davis 1995 RB Sophomore 402 5th
Troy Davis 1996 RB Junior 1,174 2nd
Breece Hall 2020 RB Sophomore 64 6th
Breece Hall 2021 RB Junior 17 10th

Retired numbers

[edit]
Iowa State Cyclones retired numbers
No. Player Pos. Tenure Year retired Ref.
30 Mike Cox FB 1963–1964 1964 [109]

Rivalries

[edit]

Iowa

[edit]

Iowa and Iowa State played each other 24 times between 1894 and 1934, before the Cy-Hawk Trophy was established. It was originally conceived and created as a traveling trophy by the Greater Des Moines Athletic Club in 1976, the trophy was first presented to the winner by Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray in 1977. That game was the first meeting between the two since 1934. The series halted after 1934 after then University of Iowa Athletic Director and head football coach Ossie Solem would not return calls to reschedule the rivalry. The rivalry was once again temporarily put to a halt in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 69 games in the series played through 2022, 40 of them have been played in Iowa City while 29 games have been contested in Ames. Iowa leads the series 47–24 through the 2024 season.[110]

Kansas State

[edit]

The teams first met in 1917, when both schools were members of the Big Eight Conference. The match-up continued as an annual conference game through the schools' shift into the Big 12 Conference. The series has been dominated by long winning streaks for both teams, with each team's longest winning streak at 10 games. Iowa State leads the series 54–50–4 through the 2024 season.[111]

Missouri

[edit]

Missouri and Iowa State first met in 1896 and the regional rivalry was born. Before the 1959 match-up between the two schools, which took place in Ames, Iowa, field testing showed that the telephones the two schools used to communicate with their coaches in the coaches box were wired so that either school could hear what was happening on the other sideline. The problem was fixed before the game, but neither of the two coaches knew that. Northwestern Bell Telephone Company of Ames then decided to have a trophy made to commemorate the incident, and thus the Telephone Trophy was born.[112][113] When Missouri left the Big 12 for the SEC the rivalry was essentially ended. Missouri leads the rivalry 61–34–9 all-time.[114]

Significant series

[edit]

Colorado

[edit]

Kansas

[edit]

Nebraska

[edit]

Oklahoma

[edit]

Oklahoma State

[edit]

Facilities

[edit]

Jack Trice Stadium

[edit]

Jack Trice Stadium (formerly Cyclone Stadium) is a stadium in Ames, Iowa. It is primarily used for college football, and is the home field of the Iowa State University Cyclones. It opened on September 20, 1975 (with a win against Air Force), and with hillside tickets it officially has 61,500 seats. The current record for single-game attendance, 61,500, was set on September 5, 2015, when the Cyclones played Northern Iowa. In 1997, the stadium was named in honor of Jack Trice, ISU's first African American athlete and the school's first athletics-related fatality. The stadium is the only stadium in Division I named for an African American individual.[115]

Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility

[edit]
Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility

The Steve and Debbie Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility opened in March 2004. It is a 92,000-square-foot (8,500 m2) multi-purpose, indoor practice facility. Inside the facility is a full-sized football field. Though typically associated with football, it is also used for practice by the softball and soccer teams, as well as community events. The building sits just northwest of Jack Trice Stadium and is part of the Johnny Majors Practice Complex. The facility cost $9.6 million to build and was funded by private gifts to the athletic department and ISU Foundation.

On October 26, 2012, Iowa State dedicated a $20.6 million, 156,000 square-foot, expansion of the football facility with an additional lead gift from the Bergstrom family. This included replacing the playing surface of the indoor facility, a state-of-the-art strength and conditional facility, a coaches office complex, positional meeting rooms, an auditorium, and spacious locker rooms. This completed the goal for Iowa State to have a stand-alone football-only training facility.[116]

Jacobson Athletic Building

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Built in 1995 and located off the north end zone of Jack Trice Stadium, The Jacobson Athletic Building formerly housed the football offices, locker rooms, meeting rooms, strength and conditioning room, and sports medicine room. The space was renovated in 2008 and 2009 to use the vacated space by the football team. It now is home to men's and women's golf, tennis, swimming, wrestling, cross country and track and field. This allows the entire athletic department staff to be under one roof with the exception of men's and women's basketball and volleyball.[117]

Former Stadiums

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  • State Field (1892–1913)
  • Clyde Williams Field (1914–1974) Martin and Eaton residence halls now stand on the ground formerly occupied by Clyde Williams Field, northwest of Friley Hall and south of State Gym.

Pageantry and traditions

[edit]

Team name

[edit]

Originally, the Iowa Agricultural College (Iowa State University) teams were known as the "Cardinals."[118] The name was changed after Sept. 29, 1895, when under legendary coach Pop Warner[119] the Cardinals routed the Northwestern Wildcats, 36–0. Inspired by an extremely active tornado (then called "cyclone") season, the next day, the Chicago Tribune headline read: "Struck by a Cyclone." The article went on to say, "Northwestern might as well have tried to play football with an Iowa cyclone as with the team it met yesterday." Since then the Iowa State teams have been known as the "Cyclones."[118]

Jack Trice

[edit]

Jack Trice was Iowa State's first African-American athlete; he was also the first and only Iowa State athlete to die from injuries sustained during athletic competition. He died three days after his first game playing for Iowa State against the University of Minnesota on October 6, 1923. He suffered a broken collarbone early on, but continued to play until he was trampled by a group of Minnesota players. It is disputed whether he was trampled on purpose or if it was an accident. A statue commemorates him outside of the stadium that is named for him, Jack Trice Stadium. His legacy was forgotten until the 1970s, when students discovered a plaque commemorating him in State Gym. They decided to put up a petition to name the stadium, at the time known as Cyclones Stadium, after him. Originally they got the field named after him in 1984. The stadium was named Jack Trice Stadium in 1997. It is the only NCAA Division I stadium named after an African-American.[120]

Cannon

[edit]

The members of the Iowa State Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi man and maintain a cannon that is discharged at home football games when the Iowa State team takes the field, following the first kickoff, the kickoff following half-time, all Iowa State kickoffs, and immediately following an Iowa State touchdown.[121]

Mascot

[edit]
Cy the Cardinal, Iowa State's mascot.

Iowa State uses a cardinal, named Cy, as its mascot instead of an actual tornado or Cyclone. In 1954, the student pep council began the process of creating a mascot to build school spirit. As it would be difficult to, quote "stuff a cyclone", a cardinal was selected from the school's official colors and original team namesake. The name of Cy was selected via a naming contest, being submitted by 17 people.[122]

Prior to the football matchup against the University of Colorado on November 12, 2005, a tornado touched down in Ames, Iowa, and forced fans to either stand out in the parking lot and watch the storm or flee to shelter in Hilton Coliseum. It created such an atmosphere that Iowa State was able to win over the favored Buffaloes 30–16. When asked about the event, Colorado coach Gary Barnett said, "I thought we had a pretty good mascot. But when we showed up at Iowa State and they had a real tornado, that's the real deal."[121]

Tailgating

[edit]

Iowa State is well regarded for tailgating. The layout of Jack Trice Stadium on a flood-plain accommodates ample parking space immediately surrounding the stadium. Cyclone fans typically arrive hours before kick-off in large SUVs and RVs to grill popular Midwestern foods such as pork loin, bratwurst, hamburgers and hot dogs.

Iowa State's Victory Bell

Victory bell

[edit]

Located immediately outside and north of Jack Trice Stadium, the victory bell is rung following a Cyclone victory. Forged in 1890 the victory bell served on campus to signal dismissal from classes before being moved to Clyde Williams Field and subsequently to Jack Trice Stadium.[121]

Tornado siren

[edit]

To go along with the installation of the new video board and sound system prior to the 2011 football season, a tornado siren is sounded after touchdowns, defensive stands, and other big plays. While the tornado siren is a new tradition, it is one that numerous Cyclones fans have asked the Iowa State athletic director to implement for many years, especially since the Colorado-Iowa State game of November 12, 2005, when a tornado touched down in Ames and sirens were heard throughout town during what normally would have been pregame activities. Since then, its implementation has become an extremely popular aspect of the Jack Trice Stadium experience.[citation needed]

Future non-conference opponents

[edit]

Schedules as of Aug 30, 2024.[123]

Future non-conference opponents
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031
South Dakota
Aug. 30th
Southeast Missouri State
Sep. 5th
South Dakota State
Sep. 4th
Northern Iowa
Sep. 2nd
North Dakota
Sep. 1st
South Dakota
Aug. 31st
Northern Iowa
Aug. 30th
Iowa
Sep. 6th
at Iowa
Sep. 12th
Iowa
Sep. 11th
Tulane
Sep. 16th
at Tulane
Sep. 15th
UNLV
Sep. 14th
at Arkansas State
Sep. 13
Bowling Green
Sep. 19th
at Bowling Green
Sep. 18th

See also

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Bibliography

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