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Cincinnati Stuns No. 14 Iowa State in 38-30 Thriller, Securing Key Big 12 Victory By Our Sports Correspondent
Cincinnati, Ohio The University of Cincinnati Bearcats delivered a powerful statement to the Big 12 Conference on Saturday, defeating the previously undefeated and 14th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones 38-30 in a dramatic college football contest at a sold-out Nippert Stadium. The victory marks a significant milestone for Cincinnati, cementing their status in the competitive top tier of American collegiate athletics and delivering the biggest win of the head coach Scott Satterfield era against a ranked opponent. The result provides tangible validation of Cincinnati’s recent transition into the Power Four conference landscape, moving the Bearcats to a 4-1 overall record and a flawless 2-0 start in Big 12 play. The Cyclones, who entered the matchup with a 5-0 record and aspirations for a conference championship, were left to lament a slow start and the effects of significant roster depletion due to injury, falling to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the league standings. Explosive Start Catches Cyclones Off Guard Cincinnati’s strategy in the opening half was defined by speed and power, rapidly establishing a dominant lead that surprised the highly-regarded Iowa State defence. The Bearcats’ offensive line executed a punishing run game, leading to a season-high 260 rushing yards in total. Running back Evan Pryor provided the early firepower, rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. The early momentum culminated in a commanding 31-7 advantage for Cincinnati late in the second quarter. The effectiveness of Cincinnati’s opening drives demonstrated a sharpness in preparation that Satterfield credited to his squad's focus. "The mentality was right where it needed to be coming off a huge win on the road in the Big 12 at Kansas, and then to be able to put that one to bed and really focus everything on Iowa State," Coach Satterfield remarked after the game. "The players did an absolutely great job with that. It started with our offensive line, the way they were blocking and coming off the ball.
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” Iowa State, meanwhile, struggled to find its rhythm, hampered by a handful of uncharacteristic penalties in the first half that extended Cincinnati’s initial scoring drives. Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht eventually rallied the offence, scoring on a run just before the half-time break and converting a two-point attempt to cut the deficit to 31-15, injecting a measure of hope into the Cyclones’ locker room. Iowa State’s Resilience and Injury Context The second half became a test of resolve for both programmes. Iowa State, coached by veteran Matt Campbell, emerged from the interval with renewed focus, engineering a long, methodical drive that consumed nearly seven minutes of game clock, capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass to Brett Eskildsen. This brought the score to 31-22 and transformed the game from a blowout into a tight contest. The Cyclones’ comeback efforts were particularly noteworthy given the extent of their injuries. The team played without 16 players, most notably missing both starting all-Big 12 defensive backs, Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams, and their top two kickers. This shortage forced strategic changes, particularly regarding fourth-down decisions, which arguably cost the Cyclones valuable points. Iowa State’s head coach, Matt Campbell, acknowledged the team’s challenging circumstances while praising their fortitude. “We’re not flinching,” Campbell stated regarding his injury-riddled squad. “We feel we have some really good football players and they will only get better. They got a chance to show up today and did some really good things. ” He also took responsibility for the slow start, admitting, "I just don't think we were ready.
That's coaching. That's on the head football coach. And we got to be better. ” Defining Plays Seal the Cincinnati Triumph Despite Iowa State’s pressure, a single explosive play in the fourth quarter proved decisive for the Bearcats. Following a critical fourth-down stop by the Cincinnati defence near their own red zone, quarterback Brendan Sorsby connected with wide receiver Caleb Goodie for an 82-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 38-22 and halting the Cyclones’ momentum. It was Cincinnati’s longest pass play since 2015. “When the play was called on the field, I was thinking touchdown,” Goodie said of the pivotal moment. “I took a deep breath and said, 'Let's go. ’” The Bearcats’ ability to navigate the late-game drama was particularly important, given that they had historically struggled in close contests since joining the Big 12. Although Iowa State managed one final touchdown drive, pulling within eight points with less than two minutes remaining, Cincinnati recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure the 38-30 final score. Implications for the Big 12 Title Race The victory over a ranked opponent immediately elevates Cincinnati’s profile. After a strong 2-0 start in conference play, including a significant road win the week prior, the Bearcats are now positioned among the leaders in the Big 12 standings and are expected to receive significant recognition in the latest Associated Press (AP) Top 25 poll. Conversely, the loss delivered a blow to Iowa State’s national standing.
The Cyclones, who were undefeated before the weekend, suffered the most significant drop among ranked teams, plummeting eight places from No. 14 to No. 22 in the AP poll. This forces Coach Campbell’s team to regroup quickly as they enter a demanding stretch of their schedule. The contest between Cincinnati-vs-Iowa-State underscored the unpredictable and highly competitive nature of the reshaped Big 12 Conference. Cincinnati demonstrated that their ambition to contend for a championship is grounded in tangible performance, not just expectation, while Iowa State proved its mettle by battling back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit. Looking ahead, Cincinnati returns home to host UCF, while Iowa State faces another road test against Colorado. For both teams, the focus remains on navigating a challenging conference schedule where every win, particularly one against a ranked rival, can hold significant weight in the final league standings. This video shows the highlights of the football game between the two teams. 14 Iowa State vs. Cincinnati Game Highlights | 2025 Big 12 Football.
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