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Final
Football
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South Dakota
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Iowa State University Athletics
POP-TARTS BOWL PRIMER: No. 18 Iowa State vs. No. 15 Miami
12.23.2024 | Football
AMES, Iowa -Â No. 18 Iowa State looks to win its 11th game of the season and its third bowl game under Matt Campbell when it faces No. 15 Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. It will be the first-ever meeting between the Cyclones and Hurricanes.
Who:Â No. 18Â Iowa State (10-3, 7-2Â Big 12) vs. No. 15 Miami (10-2, 6-2 ACC)
Where:Â Orlando, Fla. / Camping World Stadium (65,000)
When:Â Dec. 28, 2024 / 2:30 p.m. (CT)
The Links
WATCH:Â ABC
PxP: Tom Hart; Analyst: Jordan Rodgers; Sideline: Cole Cubelic
LISTEN: Cyclone Radio Network – Varsity App, TuneIn Radio or Radio Affiliates
PxP: John Walters; Analyst: Eric Heft; Sideline: Ryan Harklau
LIVE STATS
IOWA STATE GAME NOTES
2024 FOOTBALL YEARBOOK
MEDIA CENTER
POP-TARTS BOWL WEBSITE
FAN GATHERINGS
Cyclone fans will have no shortage of opportunities to show their school spirit in Orlando. For the full fan event guide, CLICK HERE.
Pop-Tarts Bowl Pep Rally at Pointe Orlando
Friday, December 27 | 4Â p.m.
Location: Pointe Orlando (9109 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819)
Cyclone Mix & Mingle Party
Friday, December 27 | 7-9Â p.m.
Location: Rosen Shingle Creek – Gatlin Ballroom B (9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819)
Pop-Tarts Bowl Fan Fest
Saturday, December 28 | 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Tinker Field @ Camping World Stadium (One Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando, FL 32805)
INSIDE THE SERIES
First Meeting
Overall:Â 0-0
Home:Â 0-0
Road:Â 0-0
Neutral:Â 0-0
Campbell vs. UM:Â 0-0
Last Meeting:Â N/A
ISU-UM NOTES
- Iowa State and Miami are meeting for the first time. ISU is 2-7-1 all time against teams from the ACC with the last meeting being a 2021 loss to Clemson (13-20) in the Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
- Iowa State has seven players on its roster from Florida, including star receiver Jayden Higgins, who grew up in South Miami and attended Westminster Christian.
- Cyclone defensive back Jontez Williams' father Andrew played defensive end at Miami from 2001-02 and was a member of Miami's 2001 BCS National Championship team. Andrew was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft and played two seasons.
- ISU DL Alijah Carnell and Miami TE Elija Lofton were teammates last season at Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bishop Gorman was the nation's top-ranked team and won back-to-back state championships their junior and senior seasons, going a combined 26-1.
KEY STORYLINES
- Iowa State has reached 10 wins for the first time in the program's 133-year history. The Cyclones are bowl-eligible for the seventh time in nine seasons under Campbell. No Big 12 school has more bowl appearances since 2017 than ISU.
- Campbell, who agreed to a contract extension through 2032 following the school's second appearance in a conference championship game, became ISU's winningest football coach earlier this season.Â
- Iowa State placed five players on the All-Big 12 First and Second Teams. Senior Jaylin Noel was named Co-Special Teams Player of the year and a first-team selection at punt returner. On the second team, ISU was represented by Stevo Klotz (FB), Jayden Higgins (WR), Jontez Williams (DB) and Malik Verdon (DB).
- Rocco Becht has thrown a TD pass in 17-straight games and is just the fifth QB in school history to pass for 6,000 career yards. Becht has led the Cyclones to 17 wins the last two seasons, the best two-year stretch in school history.
- Becht has one of college football's best wide receiving duos at his disposal in Higgins and Noel. They are the first duo in school history and the only pair nationally with 1,000 yards each this season.
- Higgins was named an Associated Press Third-Team All-American, becoming ISU's 14th All-American since 2017 after the school had just three All-Americans from 1997-2016.
- ISU's defense, under Jon Heacock's direction, has battled significant injuries at the linebacker position this season but is allowing just 21.5 points per contest. The Cyclones are 6-0 this season when giving up fewer than 20 points. The six games is tied for the second-most games in the Big 12 allowing less than 20 points.
- Iowa State is one of the nation's least penalized teams with an average of 3.9 penalties per game. Its 27.8 penalty yards per game are the fewest nationally and the least by a Cyclone team since 1962.
SCOUTING MIAMI
Led by Miami alum Mario Cristobal, the Hurricanes put together an outstanding regular season with a 10-2 record, including a 6-2 mark in league play, but were on the outside looking in when it came to the ACC Championship game. Miami, which had a program record 17 players earn All-ACC honors, suffered a 41-38 road loss to Syracuse on the final week of the regular season, but make no mistake, the Hurricanes are dangerous.
The Miami offense is led by a pair of consensus All-Americans in quarterback Cam Ward and wide receiver Xavier Restrepo. Ward, a Heisman Trophy finalist and the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award winner, has hauled in a slew of honors and recognitions after captaining the Hurricane's top-ranked offense. Ward was second nationally with 4,123 passing yards and completed 67 percent of his passes while throwing for 36 touchdowns, 11 of which found Restrepo. Restrepo tallied 1,127 receiving yards on the season, a top-five mark nationally.
The Hurricanes led the nation in scoring offense (44.2) and total offense (538.3) this season.
On defense, Miami allowed 23.9 points per game and were particularly tough against the run, allowing opponents just 110.1 yards per game which was a top-15 mark nationally. The Hurricanes were led by All-ACC First-Team defensive tackle Simeon Barrow Jr. who had 5.5 sacks and eight TFL during the regular season. Akheem Mesidor and Tyler Baron also registered 5.5 sacks on the season. Defensive back Mishael Powell led Miami and ranked third nationally with five interceptions while Francisco Mauigoa was the squad's leading tackler with 88 stops, including 8.5 for loss.
| TEAM COMPARISON | ||
| ISU | Stat | UM |
| 30.2 | Points Per Game | 44.2 |
| 21.5 | Points Allowed Per Game | 23.9 |
| 2102 (161.7) | Rushing Yards (Avg. Per Game) | 2148 (179.0) |
| 3310 (254.6) | Passing Yards (Avg. Per Game) | 4311 (359.3) |
| 416.3 | Total Offense | 538.3 |
| 340.8 | Total Defense | 319.8 |
| 27.8 | Penalty Yards Per Game | 69.4 |
| +6 | Turnover Margin | +5 |
| 86% (50-58) | Red Zone Scores | 92% (56-61) |
| 60% (35-58) | Red Zone Touchdowns | 74% (45-61) |
CYCAST WITH THE CYCLONE RADIO CREW
John Walters, Eric Heft and Ryan Harklau sit down to preview Iowa State's Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup against Miami. The podcast is presented by Van Wall Equipment.
To listen, CLICK HERE.
WEEKLY MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Head coach Matt Campbell, Jon Heacock, Taylor Mouser, Rocco Becht, Jaylin Noel, Beau Freyler and Jontez Williams spoke to the media on Tuesday. Watch their interviews below.
GIVE THE GIFT OF IRELAND
The holiday season is upon us, and this is your chance to give the gift of an unforgettable adventure! Whether it's for yourself or the Cyclones fan in your life, an incredible trip to Ireland for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is the perfect way to kick off the 2025 season.
Imagine your loved ones savoring traditional Irish breakfasts, exploring Dublin's lively streets, and cheering under the open Irish sky as two powerhouse teams go head-to-head in a unique transatlantic rivalry. It's a holiday gift that combines the best of sports, travel, and adventure—wrapped up with the warmth and magic of Ireland!
Make this holiday season truly special by giving the gift of Ireland. Act fast to secure this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
To view packages, CLICK HERE.
Players Mentioned
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DB
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