You've probably been there. You wake up, grab your coffee, and realize you missed the kickoff. Or maybe you were stuck at a wedding and just need the quick dirt on the final tally. If you are looking for what was the score of the Iowa State football game, the answer depends on which part of the 2025-2026 calendar you are tracking, because things just wrapped up in a pretty dramatic fashion.
Honestly, the Cyclones' latest major football appearance was their regular-season finale against Oklahoma State. On November 29, 2025, Iowa State walked out of Stillwater with a 20-13 victory. It wasn't the prettiest game you’ll ever see, but for Matt Campbell’s squad, it was exactly the kind of gritty, "five-star culture" win that fans have come to expect. Rocco Becht kept his cool, and the defense essentially built a wall around the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Breaking Down the Iowa State Football Score and Season Results
Looking back at the full 2025 slate, the journey was a bit of a rollercoaster. They started hot. Like, really hot. They opened the season in Dublin, Ireland, taking down Kansas State 24-21 in a game that felt like it had the weight of the entire Big 12 on it. After that, they steamrolled South Dakota 55-7 and managed to squeeze past Iowa 16-13 in a Cy-Hawk game that was basically a punting masterclass.
But then things got weird.
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After a 5-0 start, the wheels sort of wobbled. They dropped four straight games in October and early November. If you were checking the score during that stretch, you probably saw some frustrating numbers: a 38-30 loss to Cincinnati and a heartbreaking 24-17 defeat at Colorado. It felt like the season was slipping away.
The 2025 Final Scores at a Glance
To make sense of where they finished, here is the breakdown of the back half of the season:
- at TCU (Nov 8): Won 20-17. This was the "get right" game.
- vs Kansas (Nov 22): Won 38-14. Complete dominance from start to finish.
- at Oklahoma State (Nov 29): Won 20-13. The defensive clinic that sealed an 8-4 record.
The Cyclones finished the regular season 8-4 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play. It's a solid record, though some fans definitely feel like they left a few wins on the table during that mid-season slump.
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Why the Score Matters Right Now
It is currently mid-January 2026. If you're searching for the score today, you might be bumping into basketball results because the hoops team is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation and just had a wild game against Kansas (they lost 84-63, in case you were wondering). But on the gridiron, we are officially in the "wait and see" period.
The 2026 schedule is already circulating. The Cyclones are set to open up against South Dakota on September 5, 2026. Between now and then, it’s all about the transfer portal and spring ball.
Key Takeaways for Cyclone Fans
Basically, Iowa State football is in a good spot. They proved they can win away from Jack Trice Stadium, especially with those big road wins at the end of the year. Rocco Becht has matured into a real leader under center, and the defense—while it had a few lapses—remains one of the stingiest in the conference.
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If you are tracking the progress of the program, keep an eye on the defensive line recruitment this spring. That was the one area where they looked a little thin during the Cincinnati and BYU games.
To stay ahead of the next kickoff, make sure you have the official Big 12 app synced to your calendar. You can also monitor the 2026 recruiting rankings on 247Sports to see who will be contributing to the scores next fall.