After prevailing in another nail-biter against in-state rival Iowa last week, No. 14 Iowa State figures to sweat during Saturday’s visit to Arkansas State no matter what.
Defending Red Wolves dual-threat quarterback Jaylen Raynor presents a uniquely formidable challenge, as Cyclones coach Matt Campbell sees it. There’s also the matter of the Jonesboro, Ark., forecast calling for highs in the upper 90s.
While Raynor struggled during last week’s neutral-site loss to Arkansas, he doesn’t seem to have Iowa State (3-0) fooled.
“This will be the best quarterback, in my opinion, from mobility, play-making-ability standpoint that we’re going to play,” Campbell said. “He’s got all the tools, and we saw that last year against him here and we’ve seen what he was able to do (after) our game a year ago.”
Iowa State thumped visiting Arkansas State 52-7 last September in the first meeting between the schools.
Arkansas State absorbed a similar blowout last week against Arkansas, losing 56-14 as Raynor was limited to 125 yards through the air with a touchdown and two interceptions. Raynor finished as the Red Wolves’ leading rusher, but gained just 38 yards on 15 carries.
“We had too many guys without discipline to execute,” Arkansas State coach Butch Jones said. “Our eyes weren’t in the right spots. We have to do a better job coaching and teaching.”
The Cyclones return the favor of the home-and-home with the Red Wolves (1-1) as the first Big 12 school and highest-ranked program to visit Centennial Bank Stadium.
It’s an experience that Jones is confident his team is prepared for despite the relative newness within the locker room. Fourteen Red Wolves have made their first starts for Arkansas State this season, including 10 defensive players.
Speaking of that number, Jones feels the Cyclones ought to be ranked within the Top 10.
“It’s a great challenge but a great opportunity,” Jones said. “For us to have any chance, we have to have a great week of preparation.”
Iowa State goes on the road for the first time since its season-opening victory against conference foe Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland.
Kyle Konrardy connected on a 54-yard field goal with 1:52 remaining to lift the Cyclones to a 16-13 home victory against Iowa. It was the same distance from which he hit a game-winning kick in the 2024 game between the schools.
Campbell spoke optimistically about Iowa State’s health, saying that injured offensive lineman Trevor Buhr has “probably got a real chance to play” while linebackers Cael Brezina and Carson Willich are questionable.
Iowa State’s defense produced three sacks and six tackles for loss against Iowa, an output the unit will aim to match or exceed at Arkansas State. The offense also itches to break out; quarterback Rocco Becht was just 18 of 27 for 134 yards and a touchdown last week.
As for Saturday’s weather and the fatigue it could bring, Campbell hardly flinched on his players’ behalf.
“I think that all those things are real, and all those things obviously would be an excuse if we didn’t get better this week,” he said. “It’s going to be hot everywhere, not just in Jonesboro, right? The reality of it is, the last scrimmage we had was at four o’clock and 107 degrees real-feel temperature.
“So, we’ve been there. We prepared for this, and you know what it takes, physically, to prepare yourself to do that.”
