Eight former Cyclones saw action in Week 7 of the NFL, combining for 368 snaps across offense, defense and special teams.
Brock Purdy was one of the busiest of the bunch, starting for the San Francisco 49ers in a 29-20 loss to the Falcons. He finished 27-of-40 passing for 288 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His longest completion went 35 yards to Jordan Watkins, and he added two carries for five yards while playing all 66 offensive snaps.
Xavier Hutchinson turned in a multi-purpose day in the Houston Texans’ 27-21 overtime loss to the New York Giants. He didn’t start, but he caught three passes for 17 yards and a touchdown, ran twice for 12 yards and handled three kickoff returns for 74 yards. Hutchinson was on the field for 34 offensive snaps and 15 on special teams.
Jaylin Noel also saw a mix of work in that same Texans game. He did not start and finished with two receptions for minus three yards, one punt return for 11 yards and one kickoff return for 21 yards.
Noel logged 19 offensive snaps and six on special teams. He is likely out for the remainder of the season with a turf toe injury that occurred in the fourth quarter.
The Jets had a quieter week from their former Cyclones. Breece Hall missed the game against the Miami Dolphins because of a quad injury suffered in Week 3 against the Lions, while Kene Nwangwu did not play.
Will McDonald IV did suit up in the 28-25 loss to Miami, though he did not start. He played 27 defensive snaps and 13 on special teams.
In Las Vegas, Darien Porter started in the Raiders’ 35-21 loss to the Rams and made his presence felt with seven tackles. He played 43 defensive snaps and six on special teams.
Jalen Travis also started, lining up at right tackle for the Indianapolis Colts in a 16-10 loss to the Vikings. He was on the field for all 61 offensive snaps and four special teams snaps.
Domonique Orange started on the Minnesota Vikings defensive line in their 16-10 win over the Colts. He played 13 defensive snaps and four on special teams.
A few other former Cyclones were unavailable. Jake Hummel was placed on injured reserve on Sept.
26, David Montgomery has been labeled “week-to-week” after a groin injury in Week 5, and Charlie Kolar’s Chargers were on bye in Week 7. TJ Tampa, who has been on injured reserve since Sept. 19, returned to practice as of Wednesday (Oct. 21) and was a full participant as of Thursday (Oct.
29). Eyioma Uwazurike was also listed among the former Cyclones.
In Other News...
Iowa State Answered A Bad Loss In The Wildest Way Possible
After a rough loss, Iowa State needed a response, and the Cyclones got one in the most chaotic way possible against Oklahoma State. The game swung back and forth all afternoon, with lead changes, long scoring drives and the kind of special-teams moments that can turn a Big 12 matchup into a track meet in a hurry.
Aiden Flora and Jaylen Raynor helped keep Iowa State on the front foot offensively, while Drew Mestermaker kept Oklahoma State in the fight with multiple touchdown passes of his own. In the end, it came down to one more late push and Kyle Konrardys field goal, with Raynor helping set up the final drive that gave the Cyclones a hard-earned finish and a much-needed answer. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Showed Something Fans Needed To See In Big 12 Chaos
In a Big 12 game that felt like it was spinning in every direction, Iowa State found a way to steady itself at the end. Kyle Konrardy drilled a 34-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Cyclones past Oklahoma State, 51-49, in a matchup defined by offense, tempo and very little margin for error. Both teams piled up more than 500 yards, but Iowa State did enough in the key moments to come away with a win that mattered in the league race.
For a team trying to navigate the chaos of conference play, this was the kind of finish fans needed to see. The Cyclones did not win by controlling the game, but by taking advantage of Oklahoma State penalties and miscues when it counted most, a sign of resilience that can travel in the Big 12. It was messy, tense and far from comfortable, but it also pushed Iowa State forward in the standings and gave the program a result it can point to as the season keeps tightening. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Heads Into A More Complicated Baylor Trip Than Expected
Iowa States trip to Baylor just got a little more complicated than it looked on the schedule a few weeks ago. The Big 12 has locked in the matchup at McLane Stadium, and the Cyclones are heading into a series that has stayed tight over the years, with Baylor holding a slim 12-11 edge.
The wrinkle is the timing around the Bears coaching situation, which can change the feel of a game even when the opponent on the field stays the same. For Iowa State, it means preparing for a road test in a familiar rivalry setting, with an 11:00 a.m. CT kickoff on FS1 adding another layer to a matchup that already carries some history. [Read more 🡒]