Trending
PROVO, Utah – The Iowa State football team will try to keep the momentum going from a big win when they take on eighth-ranked BYU here Friday night.
Kickoff is set for 9:15 p.m. CT from LaVell Edwards Stadium, with the game airing live on ESPN.
The Cyclones (3-2 overall, 1-1 in the Big 12) earned a thrilling 45-42 victory over West Virginia at home last Saturday on Homecoming. Aiden Flora accounted for five touchdowns, running in three and throwing two on speciality plays.
Flora ran for 212 yards on 22 carries, as Jaylen Raynor completed 19 of 27 for 264 yards and a TD. Cody Jackson, Omari Hayes and Vince Benetti each had a touchdown catch.
On the year, Flora, a former walk-on from ADM High School, has 594 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Raynor has thrown for over 900 yards and six TDs.
"I don't know if we've lived up to expectations; they're pretty high in here," Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers said. "We're 3-2; we've got a whole season left to go. I'm proud of the resiliency inside of games and never hanging your heads or feeling like we're out of a game.
"I've been pleased with that."
The Iowa State defense did allow 227 yards passing and almost 300 yards rushing. BYU (4-0, 2-0) is led by quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who has over 700 yards passing and six touchdowns with just one interception.
However, star running back LJ Martin has been ruled out. Martin, who suffered an injury last week, leads the Cougars with 334 yards on the ground and three scores.
"I think (BYU head coach) Kalani Sitake is a hell of a coach," Rogers said. "He's an unbelievable person. I had the opportunity to meet him years ago. He coached my brother at junior college, Eastern Arizona.
"I think he does an unbelievable job. He's just a great person and what he's been able to turn BYU into over the years has been incredible to see."
The Cougars own wins over TCU, Colorado State, Arizona and Utah Tech.