So, you're looking for the score. Honestly, if you're checking the ticker today, January 14, 2026, you won't find a live football game. I know, it's a bummer. While the basketball team is out there making headlines—and unfortunately just took their first loss of the season against Kansas yesterday—the football pads have been tucked away for over a month.
Basically, the 2025 season is in the books.
The last time the Cyclones took the field for a meaningful snap was back on November 29, 2025. On that Saturday, Iowa State went into Stillwater and took care of business, beating Oklahoma State 20-13. It wasn't the prettiest game you've ever seen, but Matt Campbell’s squad did what they had to do to close out the year on a high note.
The Score of the Last Iowa State Football Game
If you're asking what is the score of the iowa state football game because you missed the finale, that 20-13 win over the Cowboys is the answer. It capped off an 8-4 season.
Wait. 8-4? Usually, that means a trip to a decent bowl game, right?
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This is where things got a little weird for the Cyclone faithful. Despite being bowl-eligible and finishing with a winning record in a tough Big 12, Iowa State actually declined a postseason invitation.
Yeah, you read that right. On December 7, 2025, the university announced they wouldn't be playing in a bowl. It’s pretty rare to see a team just say "thanks, but no thanks" after winning eight games, but the school cited a desire to focus on the future and internal leadership transitions. It was a move that sparked a lot of debate in Ames. Some fans were gutted they didn't get one last trip to the Liberty Bowl or the Pop-Tarts Bowl, while others respected the "process" of getting ready for 2026.
Breaking Down the 2025 Results
To understand where the program sits right now, you sort of have to look at how that 8-4 record happened. It was a season of massive highs followed by a month that felt like a fever dream in the worst way possible.
- The Hot Start: They opened up the year in Dublin, Ireland, taking down Kansas State 24-21. Then they beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 16-13 in Ames. For a while there, Iowa State was the talk of the country, climbing as high as No. 12 in the AP Poll.
- The Mid-Season Slump: October was brutal. Just straight-up mean. They lost four games in a row to Cincinnati, Colorado, BYU, and Arizona State.
- The Final Push: They found their identity again in November. They scraped by TCU 20-17, hammered Kansas 38-14, and then got that final 20-13 win at Oklahoma State.
The offense leaned heavily on quarterback Rocco Becht, who really grew into his own this year. He wasn't always perfect—honestly, the Cincinnati game was a bit of a disaster—but he showed he’s the clear leader for this team moving forward. Running back Carson Hansen also turned into a workhorse, consistently putting up 100-yard games during that final three-game win streak.
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Why You’re Seeing Basketball Scores Instead
If you search for the score right now and see something like 84-63, don't panic. You didn't miss a secret January football game. That was the No. 2 ranked Iowa State men's basketball team losing to Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse.
It’s easy to get the two confused because both programs have been incredibly relevant lately. The basketball team was 16-0 before that Kansas loss. It's kinda funny—football ended with a whimper (the bowl decline), and basketball immediately took the torch and ran with it.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Since there isn't a game today, the real question is when can you actually see a score again?
The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s a doozy. Iowa State opens up the season on September 5, 2026, against Southeast Missouri State at Jack Trice Stadium.
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Key Matchups for the 2026 Season:
- At Iowa (Sept 12): The Cy-Hawk series moves to Iowa City this year. It's always a bloodbath.
- Vs. Kansas State: A massive Big 12 rivalry that usually decides a lot of the mid-season standings.
- Vs. Utah: This is going to be a physical game. Utah has adapted to the Big 12 incredibly well, and this matchup in Ames will be loud.
The Big 12 is wide open right now. With the 12-team playoff becoming the norm, an 8-4 or 9-3 season keeps you in the hunt longer than it used to. If Matt Campbell can keep his core players from hitting the transfer portal—which is always the big "if" in modern college sports—2026 could be the year they actually push for a conference title.
Actionable Steps for Cyclone Fans
Since there’s no game to watch this weekend, here’s how you can stay prepared for the 2026 season:
- Check the Roster: Keep an eye on the spring transfer portal window. Losing a key lineman or a secondary player in May can change the entire outlook of the September opener.
- Secure Tickets Early: With the hype surrounding Iowa State sports in general, Jack Trice is expected to sell out most home dates for 2026.
- Watch the Spring Game: Usually held in April, this will be your first look at the new recruits and how Rocco Becht is looking heading into his next year of eligibility.
The 2025 season might have ended without a bowl game trophy, but that 20-13 score against Oklahoma State proved this team has plenty of fight left. Now, we just wait for September.