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Iowa State – Cincinnati kickoff time announced
Iowa State’s penultimate home game against the Cincinnati Bearcats kicks off at 11 a.m. CST on TNT Saturday, November 16, 2026, as announced by the Cyclones on Twitter. The matchup doubles as Iowa State’s Military Appreciation game. Cincinnati leads the recent series with a 31‑28 win on Oct. 4, 2025, while the Cyclones previously beat the Bearcats 34‑14 at Jack Trice Stadium on Nov. 16, 2024. Overall, Iowa State holds a 2‑1 edge in the series.
Iowa State runs out of gas in Waco
Iowa State seemed poised for a comeback against Baylor in Waco, leading 10‑0 early, but a muffed punt shifted momentum. Baylor answered with a series of touchdowns, turning a 10‑0 deficit into a 42‑31 win. Aiden Flora posted 182 rushing yards and a TD, while quarterback Raynor threw for 256 yards and two scores, yet nine penalties stalled the Cyclones’ drive. The loss drops Iowa State to 4‑5 overall (2‑4 Big 12), leaving them needing two wins in their final three games to stay bowl‑eligible.
Gamethread: Iowa State versus Baylor
Iowa State heads to McLane Stadium on Nov. 7 to face Baylor under interim coach Joe Klanderman after a 51-49 Halloween win over Oklahoma State. The Cyclones, missing four starters (Keyon Washington, Connor Moberly, Beni Ngoyi, Ka’Mori Moore), will play a Baylor squad also battling five injuries (Jacob Redding, Jamarion Richardson, Devonte Tezino, Cayden Tone, Ashton Jones). Kickoff is 11 a.m. in cloudy 63°F weather, and the game airs live on Fox Sports 1.
No. 18 Iowa State soars over Golden Eagles
No. 18 Iowa State storms past Southern Mississippi 83-57 on Nov. 7, 2026, extending its perfect 5-0 record against the Golden Eagles. The Cyclones lead the entire game, shooting 70.8% in the first half and never surrendering the lead. Forward Tre Singleton tops the box score with 28 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and five offensive boards in 30 minutes. Iowa State dominates the paint 42-20 and forces a 23-14 turnover edge. Southern Miss’s best effort comes from Anthony Igiede’s 13 points. The win showcases Iowa State’s efficient offense and staunch defense.
MBB: Southern Miss game thread
No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones host Southern Miss at Hilton Coliseum on Nov. 6, 7 p.m. (ESPN+). The Cyclones lead the all‑time series 4‑0, with narrow wins in 1984 (73‑72), 1988 (74‑72 in Tokyo) and 2000 (69‑67), plus a 73‑45 rout in 2019. Iowa State enters the 2026‑27 season 0‑1 after an 80‑76 loss to Memphis, while Southern Miss is 1‑0 following an 82‑35 NAIA victory over Tougaloo. The matchup marks the fifth meeting between the programs.
Turnšek’s double-double powers Cyclones
Freshman Tjaša Turnšek posts her first career double‑double, scoring 18 points with 13 rebounds as Iowa State crushes Nicholls 68‑44 at Hilton Coliseum on Nov. 5. Turnšek's 6‑for‑13 shooting sparks early momentum, while Sienna Harvey adds 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Mya Babbitt contributes 11 points with three triples. The Cyclones build a 36‑23 halftime lead and expand the margin to 24 points by the third quarter, sealing the win with additional three‑pointers from Babbitt in the fourth. Iowa State improves to 2‑0 overall and 0‑0 in the Big 12.
2027 Edge Ty Tautolo commits to Iowa State
Ty Tautolo, the 6‑foot‑5, 240‑lb edge rusher from Lake Stevens, Washington, commits to Iowa State as the Cyclones' 21st overall recruit and seventh‑highest rated in the 2027 class. Ranked No. 77 nationally at his position and eighth among Washington players, Tautolo chose Iowa State over 18 schools including Michigan, Notre Dame, USC and Texas A&M. He was a first‑team All‑State defensive lineman in 2025, tallying 90 tackles (six sacks, 30 TFL) and adds 31 tackles, 12 TFL and four sacks in eight games this season. Iowa State first offered him on Feb. 20, and he announced the decision on social media on Nov. 5, 2026.
2026 Game IX: Iowa State versus Baylor preview
Iowa State heads to Waco on Nov. 5 to face interim‑coach Joe Klanderman’s Baylor, a 5-3 team that just posted a 41-9 win over UCF. Baylor’s breakout quarterback DJ Lagway is averaging three 300‑yard games, while the Cyclones ride a thrilling 51-49 win over No. 24 Oklahoma State. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor tossed 309 yards and three TDs, and true‑freshman receiver Jamal Polite Jr. set a school record with 171 yards and a game‑winning catch. Iowa State’s defense, which allowed 49 points, must tighten up as key players like Sullivan Schlimgen hover on the injury list. Both squads need wins—Baylor for bowl eligibility, Iowa State to reach six—making the matchup a critical test of consistency and coaching.
How former Cyclones performed in Week 8 of the NFL
Seven former Iowa State Cyclones saw action in Week 8, logging 249 combined snaps across offense, defense and special teams. Notables include Breece Hall (Jets) sidelined by a quad injury, Charlie Kolar (Chargers) with one 20‑yard catch in a 24‑9 loss, and Will McDonald IV (Jets) posting 36 defensive and 11 special‑teams snaps in a 38‑33 defeat to the Raiders. Houston’s trio—Xavier Hutchinson, David Montgomery and Jaylin Noel—were mostly unavailable due to a bye week or injuries, while Kene Nwangwu (Jets) and Domonique Orange (Vikings) contributed on special teams and defense respectively. The week also featured former Cyclone TJ Tampa (Ravens) returning with three tackles and a fumble recovery.
Meet the team: Xiao “Smyle” Zhang
Iowa State women’s basketball lands its tallest ever Cyclone, 6‑7 center Xiao “Smyle” Zhang, a former Beijing Normal University star who averaged 12.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks. Tied with Anna Prins for height in program history, Zhang impressed in an exhibition versus Upper Iowa with nine points and a 71% free‑throw rate. Coach Bill Fennelly plans to exploit her size in the post and on pick‑and‑rolls with guards Sienna Harvey and Ashleigh Connor, while her mobility could challenge opponents’ defenses all season. Expect Zhang in the starting lineup alongside Tjaša Turnšek.
No. 18 Cyclones edged by Tigers 80-76
No. 18 Iowa State falls 80-76 to Memphis in a season‑opening thriller at the Sanford Pentagon. The Cyclones' bench sparks a 38-13 advantage, with Ryan Prather Jr. leading off the bench with 19 points. Dominkas Pleta adds 15 efficient inside, while Trevor Singleton records a double‑double. Memphis wins the perimeter battle, shooting 45% from three (9‑of‑20) versus Iowa State’s 20%, and key veteran Jayden Reid drops 26 points, including a decisive step‑in three with 38 seconds left. Despite a late 69‑69 tie and a strong second‑half squeeze, the Tigers hold on for the victory.
Turnšek and Babbitt lead Cyclones in rout
Iowa State opens its season with a 90-61 rout of Grambling State at Hilton Coliseum, leveraging a 27-12 first‑quarter blast and 46-20 interior scoring edge. Forward Tjaša Turnšek tops the team with 19 points on 7‑of‑9 shooting, while guard Mya Babbitt adds 17 points, hitting five of eight from beyond the arc. The Cyclones dominate the glass 61‑34 and out‑rebounds Grambling 46‑20 in the paint, with bench players contributing 49 points. Sienna Harvey dishes a game‑high nine assists, and the Cyclones finish with a +27 plus/minus on both Babbitt and Harvey.
Meet the team: Mya Babbitt
Iowa State’s 5-8 guard Mya Babbitt, a transfer from Kent State, brings elite three‑point shooting to the Cyclones. She set a program record with 83 made threes as a sophomore and hit 41.5% from deep last season, complementing Arianna Jackson’s 43.9% clip. Babbitt averaged 16.1 points and 1.5 steals per game, including a 30‑point outburst against Ohio State, and shoots 90.5% from the line. Coach Bill Fennelly likely will use her as a perimeter threat, especially when interior players draw defensive help. Expect her minutes and role to fluctuate as the team experiments with lineups, but her range could swing close games in the Cyclones’ favor.
How to watch or listen to No. 18 Iowa State versus Memphis
The No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones open their 2026 season Monday at 6 p.m. CST against the unranked Memphis Tigers at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. The game streams nationally on FS1 with Connor Onion and Miles Simon on TV, and on the Cyclone Radio Network via John Walters and Eric Heft. Iowa State, ranked 18th in the AP poll and led by senior point guard Tamin Lipsey—who boasts 1,500+ points, 600 assists, 500 rebounds and 300 steals—will field a projected five of Batemon, Lipsey, Jaquan Johnson, Tre Singleton and Blake Buchanan. Memphis, coached by Penny Hardaway, sits 86th in KenPom. This is only the second meeting since a 78‑59 ISU win in the 2021 Preseason NIT, and Iowa State seeks to replace last season’s top scorers while dealing with injuries to Killyan Toure and Christian Wiggins.
How to watch or listen to Iowa State versus Grambling State
Iowa State kicks off its 2026‑27 women's basketball season tonight at 6:30 p.m. CST against Grambling State, live on ESPN+ (BJ Schaben, Chelsea Poppens, Abby Altman) and on the Varsity App radio feed (Noah Wolf, Jamie Steyer Johnson). Coach Bill Fennelly, in his 32nd and final season, aims to extend the Cyclones’ 31‑game season‑opener streak, the longest active run in NCAA women’s basketball. The roster returns sharpshooter Arianna Jackson (9th nationally in 3‑point %), plus Evangelia Paulk and Freya Jensen, while adding ten new players from seven countries. After a 90‑32 exhibition win over Upper Iowa, the Cyclones look to build momentum.
Men’s wrestling tops Bucknell in season opener
Iowa State opened its men’s wrestling season with a dominant 29‑12 dual win over Bucknell at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday. The Cyclones built a 20‑point lead early, sweeping the first five bouts and posting two technical falls from Evan Frost (141 lb, 19‑3) and Jacob Frost (149 lb, 21‑3). Bucknell’s sole fall came from Noah Mulvaney at 165 lb, while Iowa State secured a medical forfeit at 174 lb and capped the night with heavyweight Coby Merrill’s 6‑2 decision. Bucknell managed overtime wins at 184 lb and 197 lb, but couldn’t overcome the early ISU surge.
King-sized thriller: Iowa State treats fans to walk-off win
Kyle Konrardy (97) nails a 34-yard field goal as time expires to give Iowa State a 51-49 walk‑off win over No. 24 Oklahoma State at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday. The thriller sets a 60‑year series record with 100 combined points. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor throws for 309 yards, three TDs and rushes for a score, while freshman Jamal Polite Jr. posts 171 receiving yards and his first TD. Aiden Flora rushes for a career‑high 221 yards and two scores. Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker throws for 323 yards and five TDs, matching a Big 12 record, but an unsportsmanlike penalty on Wyatt Young forces a kickoff that leads to the game‑winner. The victory is Iowa State’s first over a ranked foe under new head coach Jimmy Rogers.
Game thread: Iowa State football versus No. 24 Oklahoma State
Saturday’s clash at Jack Trice Stadium pits Iowa State (down 9.5) against No. 24 Oklahoma State in a game‑time showdown at 6 p.m. CDT on FOX. The Cyclones enter with key injuries—Connor Moberly, Beni Ngoyi, Caden Crawford, Ka’Mori Moore and DT Bryson Lamb are out—while Oklahoma State lists Dayvon Standard and Carson Kolb as unavailable. Iowa State leans on walk‑on Aiden Flora, the only FBS player this season with rushing, passing and punt‑return touchdowns, plus QB Jaylen Raynor’s 1,107 passing yards. OSU counters with passer Drew Mestemaker, who’s 2nd in the FBS with 332.3 yards per game, and RB Caleb Hawkins. Defensive leaders include Cyclone safety Sullivan Schlimgen (71 tackles) and OSU linebacker Ethan Wesloski (70 tackles, 3.5 sacks).
How former Cyclones performed in Week 7 of the NFL
Eight former Iowa State Cyclones saw action in Week 7 of the NFL, combining for 368 snaps across offense, defense and special teams. Notable performances include Xavier Hutchinson (Texans) with a TD catch, 17 receiving yards and three kickoff returns in the Giants’ 27‑21 OT loss, and Brock Purdy (49ers) throwing 27‑40 for 288 yards, one TD and two picks in a 29‑20 defeat to Atlanta. Darien Porter (Raiders) logged seven tackles on defense, while Domonique Orange (Vikings) started on the line in a 16‑10 win over Indianapolis. Injuries sidelined Breece Hall, Jake Hummel, David Montgomery, Jaylin Noel and Kene Nwangwu.
2026 Game VIII: Iowa State versus No. 24 Oklahoma State preview
Iowa State returns home in all‑black Halloween uniforms to face No. 24 Oklahoma State on Oct. 30, 2026. The Cowboys, 5‑2 under first‑year coach Eric Morris, ride sophomore transfer quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who’s posted a 65.7% completion rate, 2,326 passing yards, 20 TDs and only six interceptions in seven games—a passer rating of 170.0. Iowa State must bounce back from a recent blowout in Tucson, tighten a leaky defense, and get key players like Flora, Raynor and the receiving corps on track. A win is crucial as the Cyclones need three more victories to stay bowl‑eligible.
Meet the team: Evangelia Paulk
Iowa State women’s basketball forward Evangelia Paulk returns from an elbow injury to assume a leadership role for the Cyclones. After a breakout sophomore season at Wofford—where she earned SoCon Player of the Year with 12.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 42 three‑pointers—Paulk posted 14 steals in 13 Big 12 games last year, anchoring the defense with her 6‑foot frame and lateral quickness. Coach Bill Fennelly expects her to start or come off the bench to shut down opponents, secure rebounds, and stretch the floor with perimeter shooting, feeding teammates like Xiao “Smyle” Zhang, Gift Ezekiel and Tjaša Turnšek. Her experience and defensive mindset will be key as the Cyclones aim for a stronger conference run in 2026‑27.
Meet the team: Ashleigh Connor
Redshirt senior Ashleigh Connor is set to take the reins at point guard for Iowa State women's basketball. After two seasons as La Salle's starting PG, where she led in points, assists and ranked second in conference free‑throw makes (148), Connor brings veteran leadership to a roster that lacks experience. Standing 5‑11, she averages 2.0 steals per game and boasts a 35% three‑point rate this past season. Expected healthy for the season opener on Nov. 2 against Grambling State, she could also slide into a shooting‑guard role alongside Sienna Harvey and Macy Comitto. In what will be her final collegiate year, Connor aims to help Bill Fennelly's Cyclones win as many games as possible.
Meet the team: Jamarion Batemon
During Big 12 Media Days, Iowa State’s Jamarion Batemon discusses his role on a Cyclone squad that lost key three‑point shooters. The Milwaukee native, a bench spark plug last season, shot 37% from beyond the arc (two‑thirds of his attempts) and dropped a career‑high 26 points versus Alcorn State, but struggled in the NCAA tournament (3‑15 from deep). He logged 21 steals despite limited minutes and now eyeing more playing time with Milan Momcilovic’s departure and Killyan Toure’s return from injury. Coach Otzelberger plans to keep Batemon as the team’s primary shooter while leveraging his defensive hustle.
Meet the team: Gift Ezekiel
Florida transfer Gift Ezekiel, a 6‑2 forward, joins Iowa State women's basketball for the 2026‑27 season after a bench role at Florida where she logged 8.1 minutes per game. With the Cyclones' roster stacked with guards and only a few players above six feet, Ezekian’s interior size and experience—including two years at Tokyo Healthcare University and a power‑conference season—should earn her a bigger role. Expect her to contribute post moves, pick‑and‑roll action and aim for around five points and four rebounds per game, complementing starter Xiao “Smyle” Zhang and offering depth alongside Tjaša Turnšek.
Cyclones blanked by No. 20 Cougars
Iowa State fell 3-0 to No. 20 BYU on Oct. 27 at the Cyclone Sports Complex, extending its Big 12 skid to 0-7-2. BYU dominated with 24 shots (11 on goal) and controlled the tempo, scoring in the 25th (Avery Frischknecht), 75th (Presley Freeman) and 76th minutes (Mattyn Summers‑Oviatt). Cyclone keeper Eme McClenahan made seven saves, but the Cyclones could only summon one chance, a low strike by Alaina Villa saved by BYU’s Chelsea Peterson. A yellow card goes to Iowa State’s Mia Sowders. The loss leaves ISU at 4‑9‑4 overall as they eye the final two conference games.
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