Completed Event: Football versus #17 Kansas State on August 23, 2025 , Win , 24, to, 21
Final
Football
24
#17 Kansas State
21
Iowa State University Athletics
Football
Lanning, Joel
Joel Lanning
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant/Defense
- Email:
- lanningj
- Phone:
- 4-6721
Former Iowa State All-American linebacker Joel Lanning is in his third season on the Iowa State football staff. Lanning was a quality control assistant in 2019 and became a graduate assistant on defense in 2020.Â
In Lanning's two seasons on staff, the Cyclones have appeared in a pair of bowl games: 2019 (Camping World Bowl) and 2020 (PlayStation Fiesta Bowl).
The Cyclones ranked second in the Big 12 in both scoring defense (21.4) and total defense (340.4) in 2020, as the Cyclones finished the regular season in first place in the Big 12 standings, made the Big 12 Championship game and qualified for a New Year’s Six bowl for the first time in school history.
The Cyclones capped off the season with a 34-17 win over Oregon in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.
ISU’s eight conferences wins and nine overall wins eclipsed or tied school records, and the Cyclones earned their highest ranking in school history during the season (#6) and postseason (#9).
Lanning’s senior season in 2017 was one of the most memorable in school history. After spending his first four years in Ames as a quarterback, Lanning switched to linebacker for his final season. He proceeded to earn All-Big 12 honors and First-Team All-America accolades while leading the Cyclones to an 8-5 mark and a victory in the Liberty Bowl.
The two-time team co-captain was also one of the most versatile players in college football during his final season as a three-way player. The Ankeny, Iowa native took an astounding 1,001 snaps during the year- 822 on defense, 51 on offense and 128 on special teams.
He led the team and ranked third nationally in tackles per game (8.8), rushed for 135 yards and completed 3-of-4 passes for 47 yards. He became the first FBS player since 2006 (Eric Weddle) to record a sack, interception, fumble recovery, rushing TD and passing TD in a season.
His incredible versatility earned him national acclaim and runner-up honors for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the nation’s most versatile college football player.
The Ankeny, Iowa native started 14 games in his career at quarterback for the Cyclones during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He passed for 2,584 yards, tossed 20 touchdowns, rushed for 983 yards and ran for 17 touchdowns in his career.
Lanning tied the school record with five rushing touchdowns vs. Texas Tech in 2016 and he briefly played for the Alliance of American Football’s San Antonio Commanders in 2019.
Lanning and his wife, Cassie, reside in Ankeny.Â
Cyclone Express Iowa vs ISU 2025
Wednesday, September 10
Marcus Neal 9_9_25 interview
Tuesday, September 09
Tamatoa McDonough 9_9_25 interview
Tuesday, September 09
Brett Eskildsen 9_9_25 interview
Tuesday, September 09
