Primer: No. 11 Iowa State at West Virginia

AMES, Iowa – No. 11 Iowa State looks to extend its five-game winning streak in the Big 12 when it travels to Morgantown to take on West Virginia on Saturday night. The Cyclones are 5-0 for the first time since 1980 and with a win would improve to 6-0 for the second time in school history.

WHO: No. 11 Iowa State (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) at West Virginia (3-2, 2-0 Big 12)

Where: Milan Puskar Stadium (60,000) – Morgantown, W.Va.

When: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 – 7 p.m. (CT)

The links

REGARD: FOX

PxP: Tim Brando; Analyst: Devin Gardner; Sideline: Josh Sims

HEAR: Cyclone Radio Network – University app, TuneIn Radio or radio partner

PxP: John Walters; Analyst: Eric Heft; Supporting Actor: Ryan Harklau

LIVE STATISTICS
IOWA STATE GAME NOTES
FOOTBALL YEARBOOK 2024
MEDIA CENTER

WITHIN THE SERIES

12. Meeting

In total: 5-6

Home: 3-3

Street: 2-3

Campbell vs. West Virginia: 4-3

Last meeting: 11/05/22 | ISU 31, WVU 14

NOTE NUMBERS

2 – Iowa State is one of 10 teams nationally two blocked punts this season. It's the first time since 2008 that the Cyclones have blocked two punts in a season.

7 – Jayden Higgins caught a touchdown pass Seven-consecutive games, the longest active streak in the country and a school record.

8 – The Cyclone defense ranks 8th nationally and leads the Big 12 eight Interceptions in the season. Three Cyclones – Darien Porter, Jeremiah Cooper And Jontez Williams -Have two interceptions on the year.

30 – Iowa State scored 30-Plus points in the last five meetings with West Virginia. The Cyclones are averaging 29.6 points per game against the Mountaineers Matt Campbell Epoch.

STREET WARRIOR
Iowa State has won five straight Big 12 games and six of its last seven games overall on the road.

HEACOCK'S DEFENSE
Iowa State's defense led by Jon Heacockleads the Big 12 and ranks sixth nationally allowing just 10 points per game. The pass defense was stout, yielding just 133.6 yards per game (fifth nationally). Overall, ISU allowed just 271.6 yards of total offense, 13th nationally and tops in the Big 12.

The longer the game lasts, the better the defense becomes. In the second half of games, ISU gave up just 4.0 points and 112.0 yards, and opponents averaged 1.4 points in the fourth quarter.

Iowa State has a +7 turnover margin, ranking it in the top 10 in the country. The Cyclones had 16 interceptions last season and already have eight in 2024, for a total of 24 picks in the last 18 games.

BIG GAMES AND FAST STRIKES
Iowa State's offense has the ability to score anytime, anywhere on the field. Since 2023, the Cyclones have had 17 games of 50 or more yards, including six this season. The ISU offense also recorded 12 shots on goal under 1:00 during that period, four of them this season.

Rocco Becht has 50 yards passing in six of his last nine games, while Abu Sama has six career rushing touchdowns of more than 50 yards.

Run back Jaylon Jackson Has a 50-yard rush in consecutive games against Houston and West Virginia.

MORE KEY STORIES

• Iowa State is 5-0 and has a chance to start 6-0 for the first time since 1938. ISU's last 3-0 record in Big 12 play was in 2020. Matt Campbell ISU is 20-11 as of October, including a 3-0 mark in 2023.
• The Cyclones maintained their spotless record with a 43-21 win over Baylor this past weekend. ISU trailed 14-3 in the second quarter, but outscored the Bears 40-7 the remainder of the game, amassing 542 yards of total offense.
• ISU had nine plays of 20 or more yards against the Bears, the most plays by a Power 4 team against a conference opponent this season.
• Rocco Becht has a TD pass in nine straight games after throwing two against Baylor, which is the fifth-longest streak in school history.
• Becht's favorite tandem – Jayden Higgins And Jaylin Noel – has made it clear that they are one of the best pass-catching duos in the country. Higgins extended his streak with a touchdown reception to a seventh straight game, breaking the school record and becoming the nation's active receiving leader, while Noel had two 100-yard games and two scores this season. Against Baylor, the pair combined for 13 receptions for 214 yards and Higgins' score.

CYCAST WITH THE CYCLONE RADIO CREW
John Walters, Eric Heft and Ryan Harklau sit down to preview an important Iowa State University road game in West Virginia. The podcast is presented by Van Wall Equipment.

To listen, CLICK HERE.

WEEKLY MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Matt Campbell, Taylor Mouser, Jaylin Noel, Jalen Travis, Benjamin Brahmer And Jontez Williams met with the media on Tuesday. Check out their interviews below.