Dominant

CSJ staff were genuinely nervous about the match-up with Arizona, as the chaotic defense and mobile quarterback cranked up our fears of the unknown. 

Yet we found ourselves unsure of what to do with our hands in the second half as the Cyclones finished a 39-14 manhandling of the Wildcats. We can only recall conference wins of that ease over teams that were about to fire their coaches, not ones expected to be bowl-eligible. 

The game was won in the trenches, where Iowa State was clearly stronger, and reset the point of attach on most plays. Again, something we are not used to seeing.

Here's hoping the solid play continues in the 'Nati. 

 

Grit

Travel back to August 1, 2025. What did you envision Iowa State's record would be after its first four games?

3-1 was the common guess. Two rivalry games, one overseas, with two trap games mixed in? A reasonable argument could be made for 2-2.  And after witnessing the funk that Kansas State finds iteself in, 1-3 or 0-4 were plausible, if unlikely.

The Cyclones struggled to score against a squad they hung 50 on 12 months ago, but the are also clearly tired, both physically and mentally. Everyone needs a nap and a weekend off. But they are 4-0, and every door is still open.

Yes, it was frustrating watching a mobile QB crank out first down after first down. But the defense held Arkansas State to 16 points, and only 6 in the second half. Teams don't win with yardage, they win with points.

The offense moved in fits and starts, but when it needed touchdowns it scored touchdowns. 

Road games outside of Power 4 are controversial. We believe that one must seek out tough situations to learn how to succeed in tough situations. The grit the Cyclones displayed in Owensboro will be needed down the line. They understand how to grind out hard wins.

Enjoy your bye week.

Disaster Avoided

The 2025 El Assico was a repeat of the 2024 game, except for the ending: home team dominates the first quarter, but leaves points on the field after settling for field goals. Visiting team rights their ship, and crawls back into the game, finding them down by a field goal in the 4th.

But this year, the home team makes enough plays to eek out a win. ISU escapes with a 16-13 win that was mostly hard to watch.

Iowa State made vastly more errors that could have lost them the game: a drop in the end zone; 4 drops on third down, several that would have been chunk plays; PIs that would have been third down stops; the lone holding call of the game ruined a red zone possession; the player-blocked-into-punt-returner fiasco; and so on.

Iowa State was fortunate that the GoBlas were too inept on offense to really challenge them. A better opponent would have won this game by 14.

Hopefully the program hasn't peaked too early.