What is the story about?
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. CDT
Location: MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium, Ames
Capacity: 61,500
Line: Oklahoma State -9.5
Television: FOX
Play-by-Play: Tim Brando Analyst: Devin Gardner Sideline: Josh Sims
Home Radio: Cyclone Radio Network
Play-by-Play: John Walters Analyst: Eric Heft Sideline: Ryan Harklau
Away Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Play-by-Play:
Dave Hunziker Analyst: John Holcomb Sideline: Deion ImadeThe injury report as of Friday at 9 p.m. shared Connor Moberly, Beni
Ngoyi, Caden Crawford, Ka’Mori Moore, and DT Bryson Lamb are OUT for the Cyclones, with Trey Verdon listed as PROBABLE. The following Cowboys are listed as OUT: Dayvon Standard and Carson Kolb , with Quinton Hammonds and DT Landon Dean listed as QUESTIONABLE.
Offensive spotlight
Iowa State
- Aiden Flora: Walk-on turned AP Midseason All-American who leads ISU with 716 rushing yards (102.3 ypg, 7.0 avg, 6 touchdowns) and 921 all-purpose yards (131.6 ypg). He is the only FBS player nationally this season with a rushing, passing, and punt return touchdown.
- Jaylen Raynor: Has passed for 1,107 yards and 7 touchdowns alongside 145 rushing yards and 3 rushing scores. He ranks 5th among active FBS players with 11,129 career total yards.
- Omari Hayes: Paces the Cyclone receiving corps with 19 receptions for 237 yards and 1 touchdown.
Oklahoma State
- Drew Mestemaker: Redshirt sophomore who leads Power 4 and ranks 2nd in the FBS with 332.3 passing yards per game (2,326 yards, 20 touchdowns). He holds the nation’s longest active streak of 22 consecutive games with 200+ passing yards.
- Caleb Hawkins: Sophomore running back pacing the Cowboy ground attack with 712 rushing yards (101.7 ypg, 5.0 avg) and 140.57 all-purpose yards per game.
- Wyatt Young and Justin Bowick: Young leads OSU with 639 receiving yards (91.3 ypg) and 6 touchdowns, while Bowick has recorded 607 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
Defensive spotlight
Iowa State
- Sullivan Schlimgen: Leads the Cyclones with 71 total tackles (37 solo, 34 assists) and 5.0 tackles for loss.
- Carson Willich: Key linebacker with 46 total tackles and a team-leading 7.0 tackles for loss, recording a TFL in six of seven games this season.
- Isaac “Bobby” Terrell: Top edge threat with 3.0 sacks (all three recorded against SEMO) and a Chuck Bednarik Award watch list selection.
Oklahoma State
- Ethan Wesloski: Linebacker leading the Cowboys with 70 total tackles (29 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, while being named a William V. Campbell Trophy finalist.
- Tate Romney: Ranks second on the team with 54 total tackles and leads OSU with 6.0 tackles for loss.
- LaDainian Fields: Standout cornerback leading the defense with 4 interceptions (59 return yards) and 29 total tackles.
Iowa State – Oklahoma State connections
- Roster Ties: Defensive lineman Tayten Duncan (Mustang, Okla.) is the lone Oklahoma native on Iowa State’s roster, while Cyclone tight end Jordan Vyborny transferred to ISU from Oklahoma State.
- Coaching staff roots: Iowa State running backs coach John Johnson played fullback for Oklahoma State from 2005 to 2007 and served as an OSU recruiting analyst in 2021.
- Former teammates: Iowa State offensive lineman Jake Taylor and Oklahoma State offensive lineman Jacob Sexton were teammates at Oklahoma from 2022 to 2025. OSU running back Tre Page III was teammates with Cyclone wide receiver Cody Jackson and offensive lineman Braden Smith at Tarleton State.
- Head coaching matchups: Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers previously faced Oklahoma State in the 2024 season opener while at South Dakota State. In 2025, Rogers’ Washington State team faced Eric Morris’ North Texas squad.
