Cyclones in the NFL: Week 5 Recap

Multiple Cyclones found the endzone this past weekend, highlighted by the ISU receivers on the Texans and a special homecoming for David Montgomery. Six Cyclones saw the field in the Texans/Ravens contest as former Iowa State athletes showed out all over the league.

The Cyclone Football Family>>>>

🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/JC7ghpT6mm
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) October 6, 2025

Week six features a bye week for the Texans and standalone games for both the Jets and Lions. It'll be ISU against ISU in Denver against the Jets, as Enyi takes on a handful of former Cyclones in green.

Xavier Hutchinson – #19, Houston Texans (2-3)
After playing in 36 contests without scoring a touchdown, Hutchinson broke through in a big way on Sunday, not only scoring his first career TD but making it a pair as he helped the Texans handle the Ravens.
Last Time Out: W at BAL, 44-10 // 3 catches, 18 yards, 2 TD
Next Up: bye week

Xavier Hutchinson is all smiles for good reason 😀 pic.twitter.com/x6VUzdkE7P
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025

David Montgomery – #5, Detroit Lions (4-1)
It was an emotional homecoming for Montgomery, who was able to have his sister in attendance for the first time since a life-altering car accident. Montgomery was able to showcase that he was a former high school quarterback in Cincinnati, tossing a score and running for one as Detroit handled business.
Last Time Out: W at CIN, 37-24 // 18 rushes for 65 yards and 1 TD, 1 catch for 6 yards, 1 throw for 3 yards and 1 TD
Up Next: Oct. 12, at Kansas City (7:20 pm on NBC)

"For Montgomery, football became passion, and path... Even as the streets around him continued to take those close to him."

Tom Rinaldi shares the story of @Lions RB David Montgomery: pic.twitter.com/D9zizIqSoL
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 5, 2025

Jaylin Noel – #14 – Houston Texans (2-3)
Hutchinson wasn't the only Cyclone receiver to score their first career TD over the weekend, as Noel also found paint for the Texans. With Noel's touchdown grab, all three ISU receivers for the Texans have scored this season. Following Noel's score, he had to wrestle his first touchdown ball away from an upset Ravens defender.
Last Time Out: W at BAL, 44-10 // 2 catches for 13 yards and 1 TD, 1 rush for 5 yards, 1 KO return for 31 yards, 1 PR for 12 yards
Next Up: bye week

Jaylin Noel hits the Ray Lewis squirrel dance and the Ravens do NOT appear to be amused pic.twitter.com/ySDRGAguaD
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 5, 2025

Breece Hall – #20, New York Jets (0-5)
With the injury to backup running back Braelon Allen, Hall saw his highest offensive workload of the season on Sunday. He notched his seventh 100-yard rushing performance and had the third-most receptions on the team.
Last Time Out: L vs. DAL, 22-37 // 14 carries, 113 yards – 4 catches, 42 yards
Up Next: Oct. 12, vs. Denver (8:30 am on NFL Network)

T.J. Tampa – #27, Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
Tampa earned his first career start this past weekend, filling in for a banged-up Ravens' secondary. He totaled his most tackles in a game and tripled his most defensive snaps played.
Last Time Out: L vs. HOU, 10-44 // 6 tackles (3 solo), 60 defensive snaps
Up Next: Oct. 12, vs. LAR (12 pm on FOX)

Darien Porter – #26, Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Porter earned the nod at starting corner for the Raiders this weekend, marking the first of his career. His 66 defensive snaps played were more than triple his previous game high.
Last Time Out: L vs. IND, 6-40 // 2 tackles (1 solo), 66 defensive snaps
Up Next: Oct. 12, vs. Tennessee (3:05 pm on FOX)

Jayden Higgins – #81, Houston Texans (2-3)
Higgins was the lone former Cyclone receiver on the Texans not to find pay dirt on Sunday. He did, however, catch his most passes in an NFL game, tying for the second-most snags on the team (4).
Last Time Out: W at BAL, 44-10 // 4 catches for 32 yards
Next Up: bye week

Enyi Uwazurike – #96, Denver Broncos (3-2)
Uwazurike helped a Denver defense limit a prolific Philadelphia rushing attack to just 45 yards as the Broncos took down the previously unbeaten, defending champion Eagles on the road.
Last Time Out: W at PHI, 21-17 // 2 solo tackles, 1 TFL
Next Up: Oct. 12, vs. NYJ (8:30 am on NFL Network)

Charlie Kolar – #88, Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
Kolar snagged one pass against the Texans for ten yards. He also made a solo tackle in special teams action.
Last Time Out: L vs. HOU, 10-44 // 1 catch for 10 yards, 1 solo tackle
Up Next: Oct. 12, vs. LAR (12 pm on FOX)

Will McDonald IV – #9, New York Jets (0-5)
McDonald recorded one solo tackle against the Cowboys and was also credited with a QB Hit.
Last Time Out: L vs. DAL, 22-37 // 1 solo tackles, 1 QB hit
Up Next: Oct. 12, vs. Denver (8:30 am on NFL Network)

Allen Lazard – #10, New York Jets (0-5)
Lazard was targeted twice on Sunday, making one grab for three yards in the loss to the Cowboys.
Last Time Out: L vs. DAL, 22-37 // 1 catch for 3 yards
Up Next: Oct. 12, vs. Denver (8:30 am on NFL Network)

Jake Hummel – #35, Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
Hummel saw special teams action on both punt and kickoff action this weekend.
Last Time Out: L vs. HOU, 10-44 // 26 special teams snaps
Up Next: Oct. 12, vs. LAR (12 pm on FOX)

Jalen Travis – #75, Indianapolis Colts (4-1)
Travis was able to see some time on offense, as he entered late as part of a blowout victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Last Time Out: W vs. LVR, 40-6 // 11 offensive snaps, 2 special teams snaps
Up Next: Oct. 12, vs. Arizona (12 pm on FOX)

Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) and Brock Purdy (toe) were held out of competition this weekend as they recover from injuries.

Players Mentioned

Jayden Higgins

Jaylin Noel

Darien Porter

Jalen Travis

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics