Iowa State Stumbles in 24-10 Loss at No. 8 BYU, Falls to 3-3
PROVO, Utah — Iowa State's offense never got on track Friday night, managing just 200 total yards in a 24-10 loss to No. 8 BYU. The Cyclones dropped to 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in Big 12 play, while the Cougars improved to 5-0 and 3-0 in conference action.
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier torched the Cyclones through the air and on the ground, throwing for a season-high 329 yards and two touchdowns while adding a career-best 109 rushing yards. He completed 22 of 30 passes, marking his fourth career 300-yard game and his first career 100-yard rushing performance.
The 200 total yards were Iowa State's fewest in a single game since 2018. The Cyclones managed just 49 yards before halftime, their lowest first-half output since 2017.
Offensive Struggles Plague Cyclones
Iowa State's offense never found a rhythm. Jaylen Raynor threw for just 98 yards and a touchdown, while Aiden Flora contributed 86 rushing yards but only 11 before halftime. The Cyclones went three-and-out on three straight second-quarter drives and couldn't sustain momentum until the game was already out of reach.
“I'm kind of at a loss of words because I felt like we were going to come into this and be competitive in so many ways, and we really weren't in so many ways,” Cyclones coach Jimmy Rogers said. “3-3 is where we're at. Doesn't mean that that's where we need to be.”
Raynor echoed that frustration: “We just didn't really have a sense of urgency. We came out slow.”
BYU's Balanced Attack Proves Too Much
BYU rolled up 506 total yards, with Bachmeier spreading the ball effectively. He connected with Roger Saleapaga on a 63-yard pass to set up a touchdown, then hit Legend Glasker on a 75-yard scoring strike in the third quarter. Kyler Kasper added a touchdown reception as the Cougars built a 21-3 lead.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake praised his quarterback's decision-making: “We know Bear can throw the ball, so I feel good about Bear throwing the ball. Whether they take away the run or take away the pass, I trust Bear and his ability to get us on the right call and to make the right decisions.”
The Cougars' defense was equally dominant, holding Iowa State to just six total yards in the second quarter. BYU's front seven pressured Raynor all night and kept the Cyclones out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.
Late Rally Falls Short
Iowa State finally broke through in the fourth quarter after a BYU fumble on a punt return gave the Cyclones the ball at the Cougars' 49-yard line. Raynor capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Christian Greenlaw, but it was too little, too late.
The Cyclones totaled 131 yards and seven first downs in the fourth quarter alone, but the early deficit proved insurmountable.
What's Next for Iowa State?
The Cyclones will look to rebound on the road against Arizona on Oct. 24. BYU hosts Notre Dame on Oct. 17.
For Iowa State, the path forward is clear: fix the offensive inconsistency and find urgency from the opening snap. As Rogers put it, the team knows where it stands, and the focus now shifts to turning the season around.