Categories: Football

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: 12 Days

Oct 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones fans fly the “W” flag after beating the TCU Horned Frogs at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State beat TCU 14 to 7. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Each day leading up to Iowa State’s season opener against South Dakota State, Cyclone Fanatic will check another day off the calendar with a memorable statistic, player or game as part of our Countdown to Kickoff presented by Tailgate Clothing.

When TCU rolled into Ames last fall, it was the 100th time a ranked opponent visited the Cyclones on the gridiron. Iowa State’s 14-7 win over the No. 4 Horned Frogs was just the program’s 12th home win in those 100 tries against teams ranked in the AP Top-25.
The victory was the program’s first home win over a ranked team since the magical 37-31 double-overtime upset of No. 2 Oklahoma State in 2011.
Iowa State has won multiple home games against Top-25 teams in one season only twice in program history — 1973 and 2005. The 2005 wins came against No. 8 Iowa and No. 22 Colorado while the 1973 victories were over No. 14 Missouri and No. 18 Oklahoma State.
Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Missouri are the only teams Iowa State has beaten multiple times at home while they were ranked in the AP Top-25. While Iowa State has accomplished that feat twice against all three schools, the Cyclones also tied No. 3 Nebraska in 1972, ending a 24-game Big Eight winning streak for the Cornhuskers.
As it stands now, Iowa State will have two more chances to add to their home wins over ranked teams total in 2018 with Oklahoma (No. 7) and West Virginia (No. 17) both appearing in the preseason AP Top-25 and set to visit Ames this season.
Jared Stansbury

Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

Share
Published by
Jared Stansbury

Recent Posts

ISU MBB: How do the four new transfers fit in the Cyclones’ gritty scheme?

 Mar 8, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger motions to…

1 day ago

RECRUITING: Cyclones earn second DL commitment after visit weekend in Brysen Wessell

AMES - Iowa State secured its second commitment from its second official visit weekend with…

1 day ago

RECRUITING: Cyclones earn commitment from DE Ajibola Afuye

AMES - Iowa State added another piece to its 2026 recruiting class with the commitment…

1 day ago

RECRUITING: Cyclones earn second OL commit after visit weekend in Owen Winder

Iowa State picked up its second commitment on the offensive line out of official visit…

7 days ago

Audi Crooks, Addy Brown invited to USA AmeriCup Team Training Camp

The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletics Communications: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado –…

1 week ago

MONDAY MUSINGS: Haliburton, the Cup & ESPN vs. Sports

Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) and forward…

1 week ago