Sama Named Cyclone Club Athlete of the Week

AMES, Iowa – Abu Sama III has been named the Cyclone Club Athlete of the Week after a breakout performance against No. 19 Kansas State in Manhattan.

Sama ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns in snowy conditions Saturday, helping ISU to a 42-35 victory over the Wildcats. His 276 rushing yards were the fourth-most in a game, most in a road game, and the most ever by a freshman in school history.

The freshman had touchdown runs of 77, 71 and 60 yards making him the second FBS player since 1996 with three or more rushing touchdowns of 60-plus yards against a ranked opponent.

Sama became the first Big 12 player to have two 70-plus yard rushing touchdowns in a game since Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma) in 2005 and the first player in school history (dating back to 1971) with three rushing touchdowns of 50 yards or more in a single game.

The Des Moines native joined Troy Davis (1995) and Breece Hall (2020 & 2021) as the only ISU players with multiple 50-plus yard rushes in a single game.

Sama and the Cyclones await their bowl destination which will be announced Dec. 3.

About the Cyclone Club
The Cyclone Club spearheads the fundraising efforts for the Iowa State Athletic department and gifts of all sizes directly impact the lives of over 450 student-athletes at Iowa State. Annual Cyclone Club gifts provide ISU student-athletes the opportunity to compete in their sport at the highest level, while preparing them to utilize their Iowa State degree once their athletic careers have concluded. Iowa State Athletics does not receive any State or University funding to operate, thereby making it one of the nation's only financially self-sufficient athletic programs.

For more information and to join the Cyclone Club, visit cycloneclub.org.