Coming out of a bye week, Iowa State walked into Arizona looking for a Big 12 win and instead got hit with a fast start it never recovered from. The Wildcats needed just two plays to open the scoring, ripping off a 71-yard touchdown pass to grab control immediately.
The Cyclones’ first offensive answer was a three-and-out, and Arizona kept the pressure on with a much longer march the next time it had the ball. This one covered 80 yards in 13 plays and ended with Quincy Craig punching in a six-yard touchdown run.
Iowa State did manage to get points on the board on its second possession, with Kyle Konrardy drilling a field goal. Later in the first half, the Cyclones finally slowed Arizona enough to force a field goal of their own.
That was about as good as it got. After reaching Arizona territory, Iowa State went for it on fourth down and came away empty, turning the ball over on downs. Arizona then took its own turn rolling the dice instead of settling for a field goal, kept the drive alive, and finished the series with its third touchdown before halftime.
By the break, Arizona led 25-3, and Iowa State made a quarterback change to start the second half. Jaylen Raynor was benched for Connor Moberly, with Jimmy Rogers making the switch after Raynor had not lived up to expectations so far this season. Moberly, one of the few players to remain with the program this offseason, was handed a tough assignment with the team already trailing badly.
The change did not provide much of a spark. Iowa State’s offense remained stuck, and the game continued to look lopsided on both sides of the ball.
The Cyclones now turn to a Halloween home game against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are having a strong season, so even with the game in Ames, it won’t be an easy one for Iowa State. Moberly could also be in line to start again next week.
In Other News...
Arizonas Sudden Playoff Push Just Got A Lot More Real
ESPNs updated FPI after Week 8 gave college footballs postseason picture another shakeup, and Arizonas rise has become impossible to ignore. The Wildcats are getting more attention across the sport after breaking into the AP top 25, a sign that their season has moved from pleasant surprise to genuine national relevance as the numbers start to sort contenders from the rest of the pack.
The latest model adjustments show how quickly momentum can change once a team strings together meaningful wins, and Arizona is now part of that conversation in a real way. With the playoff race still fluid and bowl positioning shifting every week, the Wildcats have given themselves a much more interesting path than anyone would have projected a month ago, even if there is still work ahead before the picture fully comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona Faces Its Toughest Test Yet In Hostile Lubbock
Arizona heads into Lubbock with plenty on the line after a decisive win over Iowa State, and the Wildcats have earned a seat in the conversation at 6-1. Texas Tech is in the same position record-wise, but the setting changes everything. The Red Raiders have built a strong home winning streak at Galaxy Stadium, and oddsmakers have made them a 4.5-point favorite in a matchup that feels like one of the biggest measuring sticks on Arizonas schedule.
History does not offer much comfort for the Wildcats in this spot, either. Arizona has struggled badly in Lubbock over the years, and the trip has been one of the most difficult on the calendar for this program. Texas Tech is also trying to steady itself after a recent loss to Cincinnati that could matter in the playoff picture, which adds another layer to a game where both teams arrive with momentum, pressure and a lot still unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona Just Looked Like A Real Big 12 Threat
Arizonas jump into the Big 12 is starting to look a lot less like a transition year and a lot more like a team that belongs in the league race. The Wildcats rolled past Iowa State 39-3, stretched their winning streak to five games and kept climbing with a 6-1 record overall and 3-1 mark in conference play. Arizona piled up 477 total yards and flashed the kind of balance that can travel, with the offense moving the ball consistently and the special teams and defense both adding to a lopsided afternoon.
Noah Fifita was sharp throughout, directing an attack that never let Iowa State find much rhythm, while the defense kept the Cyclones out of the end zone and turned the game into a one-sided showcase. What stood out most for Arizona was how complete it looked in all three phases, the kind of performance that can change the conversation around a team in midseason. The question now is whether this level of play can carry over into the bigger tests still ahead on the Big 12 schedule. [Read more 🡒]