Jaylen Raynor’s first game in an Iowa State uniform showed both sides of the ledger. In the Cyclones’ 38-10 win over Southeast Missouri State, he accounted for four touchdowns - two through the air and two on the ground - but the overall passing line left room for plenty more.
Raynor finished 8-of-16 for 184 yards, a stat line that worked just fine against an overmatched opponent but will need to sharpen up fast if Iowa State wants a shot at an upset of Iowa in the Cy-Hawk Rivalry Game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. The setting only raises the difficulty level, and after a debut that was encouraging without being clean, he enters the week with a clear lane to settle in.
That lane starts with the run game. Offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl needs the ground attack to keep the Hawkeyes honest, because Raynor’s best work against Southeast Missouri State came when the play fake was part of the picture.
Pro Football Focus said 52.6% of Raynor’s dropbacks were play-action looks, and that’s where the production lived: he went 6-of-10 for 145 yards and two touchdowns on those snaps. Without play action, he was just 2-of-6 for 39 yards.
The downfield passing game also offered a promising sign. One of Raynor’s offseason goals was to improve throwing the ball deep, and in Week 1 he looked noticeably better in that area, connecting on 3-of-6 attempts of 20 or more yards for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Those shots matter because they force a defense to back up. Iowa State may also catch a break with the way Iowa plays on defense, since the Hawkeyes do not lean heavily on blitzing.
That should help Raynor, who struggled when pressure came his way against Southeast Missouri State. He was blitzed on 26.3% of his dropbacks and completed only 1-of-3 passes for 20 yards in those situations.
If the offensive line does its part and the run game keeps the defense from sitting on the pass, Raynor has a path to a much more comfortable afternoon through the air.
In Other News...
Iowa Just Landed An Early Recruiting Chance Fans Should Notice
A notable early recruiting opportunity is coming Iowas way, as Naperville Neuqua Valley four-star hybrid Cole Kelly is set to visit Iowa City for an unofficial look. The 2028 prospect already carries a national profile, checking in at No. 34 overall and No. 10 among small forwards in his class, and he has the kind of skill blend that tends to draw attention quickly in the Midwest and beyond.
Kellys appeal is easy to see from an Iowa perspective. He brings shooting, playmaking, size and rebounding to the table, which makes him a fit for a modern frontcourt wing spot, even if evaluators still have questions about his quickness. With multiple Big Ten and Big East programs in the mix, this visit gives Iowa a chance to make an impression early and start shaping what could become a meaningful recruitment down the line. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Just Unveiled A Defensive Tweak That Could Matter Later
Against Northern Illinois, Iowa rolled out a third-down look that quietly stood out: three linebackers, five defensive backs and just three defensive linemen. The package showed up only in those obvious passing situations, and it paid off quickly with two sacks in four plays, a reminder that the Hawkeyes are still willing to tinker when the matchup calls for it.
Kirk Ferentz described it as a tactical adjustment tied to the personnel on hand, a way to add versatility while getting more linebackers on the field and easing some of the burden on a less experienced defensive line. It was just one wrinkle in an early-season game, but for a defense that has built its identity on being difficult to solve, it could become a useful option as the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Cy-Hawk Weekend Gives Iowa A Big Chance With Rival Targets
Iowa State has spent the early part of this cycle trying to steady its recruiting board after the aftermath of Matt Campbells departure, and Jimmy Rogers staff has been working to rebuild the classes with an eye on keeping the foundation intact. The Class of 2027 is sitting at No. 43 nationally with 24 commitments, and names like Isaiah Hansen and Will Slagle give the group some early shape as the Cyclones keep pushing to add more quality pieces.
Cy-Hawk weekend, though, always changes the temperature a bit, especially when rivals are involved in the same recruiting battles. Iowa State has already hosted several Class of 2028 prospects, including defensive lineman Hunter Mosolino and quarterback Chase Grove, but both are now visiting Iowa this weekend, a reminder that even the earliest stages of the cycle can turn into a tug-of-war when the states biggest programs are fighting over the same targets. [Read more 🡒]