PRIMER: No. 22 Iowa State at Colorado

AMES, Iowa - No. 22 Iowa State visits an old Big 12 Conference foe, Colorado, looking to rebound from its first loss of the season as the Cyclones and Buffaloes meet for the 66th time, but first since 2010.

Who: No. 22 Iowa State (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) at Colorado (2-4, 0-3 Big 12)
Where: Folsom Field (51,400) – Boulder, Colo.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 – 2:30 p.m. CT

The Links
WATCH: ESPN
PxP: Mike Monaco; Analyst: Louis Riddick; Sideline: Kris Budden
LISTEN: Cyclone Radio Network – Varsity App, TuneIn Radio or Radio Affiliates
PxP: John Walters; Analyst: Eric Heft; Sideline: Ryan Harklau
GAME NOTES: ISU // CU
LIVE STATS
2025 FOOTBALL YEARBOOK
MEDIA CENTER

INSIDE THE SERIES
66th Meeting
Overall: 15-49-1
Home: 9-24
Road: 6-25-1
Neutral: 0-0
Campbell vs. CU: 0-0
Last Meeting: 11/13/2010 (ISU 14, CU 34)

CYCLONES vs. BUFFALOES
Iowa State and Colorado will renew a rivalry that started in 1946 but has not been played since 2010. Colorado joined Iowa State in the Big Six Conference, making it the Big Seven Conference, in 1948. The teams played every year from 1946 to 2010 when the Buffs left for the Pac-12 Conference.

The Cyclones have dropped the last five games in Boulder with ISU's last win coming in 2000. It was a 35-27 victory led by Sage Rosenfels' 140 yards rushing and 173 yards passing. The Cyclones outscored the Buffs 23-7 in the second half of that game.

ISU wide receiver Chase Sowell played at Colorado in 2022, seeing action in three games and redshirting after suffering a season-ending injury.

Colorado vs. Iowa State lines (2009)

PLAYING HARDER FOR LONGER
One of many themes for the Cyclones the past two seasons has been their ability to play harder for longer. ISU has done just that and it has paid off. The Cyclones have been outscored in the fourth quarter just twice in their last 20 games.

Iowa State's defense allowed just six fourth quarter offensive touchdowns in 2024, tied for the fewest among Big 12 programs. This season, ISU has allowed just three fourth-quarter TDs in the first six games.

Since 2024, Iowa State is fourth nationally and tops in the Big 12 in fourth quarter point differential (+102).

Avg. 4th Qtr Time of Possession (since 2024)
Season	ISU TOP	OPP TOP
2024	8:41	6:18
2025	9:56	5:03

ROAD WARRIORS
One glaring area of improvement for Iowa State under Matt Campbell has been on the road. From 2006-16, ISU was 12-48 on the road but since 2017, the Cyclones are 23-22 in road games.

ISU has 18 road wins against conference opponents since 2017 compared to just four Big 12 road victories from 2012-16.

Most recently, Iowa State has won nine of its last 12 true Big 12 road games.

NEVER OUT OF IT
Campbell's players carry a never-say-die attitude when things aren't falling their way and no one embodies that tough mindset more than quarterback Rocco Becht.

Even in ISU's 38-30 loss at Cincinnati last week, Iowa State trailed 31-7 at one point before Becht willed the Cyclones back into the game in the second half.

In Becht's career, he has led seven game-winning drives when Iowa State was tied or trailed in the fourth quarter which is tied for the second-most nationally.

Active FBS, Most Career 4Q Game-Winning Drives
1. Luke Altmyer, Illinois - 8
2. Rocco Becht, Iowa State - 7
Haynes King, Georgia Tech - 7
3. Athan Kaliakmanis, Minnesota-Rutgers - 6
Kaidon Salter, Liberty-Colorado - 6
Mikey Keene, UCF-Fresno State-Michigan - 6
Tommy Castellanos, Boston College-FSU - 6

Rocco Becht

KEY STORYLINES

Iowa State owns an .800 winning percentage (16-4) since the start of the 2024 season, the 12th-best mark nationally in that time.
The Cyclones sit at No. 22 in the AP poll after its loss to Cincinnati last weekend. ISU has been ranked in the AP poll for 11-straight weeks.
Since the start of 2024, ISU is one of the nation's least penalized teams. Among FBS teams, ISU ranks third in penalty yards (565) and fifth in penalties (74). The loss at Cincinnati was an outlier for ISU (8 penalties) as it was whistled for more than five penalties for the first time in 10 games.
Becht, named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Top 25 on Wednesday, has tossed nine touchdowns with just two interceptions, while also rushing for a Big 12-best seven touchdowns, this season. He has five rushing touchdowns in the last two weeks, more than any other player nationally.
Becht is completing a career-best 64.8 percent of his passes and has connected with 12 different players this season. ISU is one of five FBS teams with five or more players with 13-plus receptions and 150-plus receiving yards.
The Cyclones have had a different player record a 100-yard receiving game in back-to-back weeks. Chase Sowell had 146 yards against Arizona and Brett Eskildsen tallied 105 against Cincinnati. In the last two games, Sowell has nine catches for 204 yards and a touchdown, while also providing a downfield threat with four 30-yard plus receptions.
Abu Sama III scampered for a season-high 96 yards at Cincinnati last week. ISU is 9-3 in Sama's career when he carries the ball at least 10 times.
Offensive lineman Tyler Miller has made 33-consecutive starts for the Cyclones, the longest active streak among Big 12 offensive linemen.
Quentin Taylor Jr. made his first career start at cornerback against Cincinnati. He finished with a career-high five tackles, including two tackles for a loss.
Ta'Shawn James has started all six games at strong safety this season. He led the team with nine tackles and a PBU at Cincinnati.
Jace J. Gilbert has quietly been making the most of his opportunities on the defensive line this season. He had the only takeaway of the game at Cincinnati, recovering a fumble, and has also recorded a sack, forced fumble and a QB hurry this season.

CYCAST WITH THE CYCLONE RADIO CREW
John Walters, Eric Heft and Ryan Harklau sit down to preview Colorado ahead of this weekend's game. The podcast is presented by Van Wall Equipment.

To listen, CLICK HERE.

WEEKLY MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, Taylor Mouser, Abu Sama III, Tyler Miller, Quentin Taylor Jr. and Caleb Bacon met with the media Tuesday to preview this weekend's game. Watch their interviews below.

Players Mentioned

Caleb Bacon

Rocco Becht

Brett Eskildsen

Jace J. Gilbert

Ta’Shawn James

Tyler Miller

Abu Sama III

Chase Sowell

Quentin Taylor Jr.

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics