Looking Back At BYU Football’s History With Iowa State
Oct 22, 2025, 3:11 PM | Updated: Oct 23, 2025, 9:44 am
PROVO, Utah – The BYU football program will travel to Ames, Iowa, this weekend, seeking its first-ever win against Iowa State.
No. 11 BYU takes the field against the Iowa State Cyclones (5-2, 2-2) on Saturday, October 25. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. MT.
RELATED: Big 12 Football Power Rankings: BYU Climbs To The Top
THE CUT: Utah
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— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 21, 2025
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Cyclones have owned the all-time series vs. BYU football
The Cougars seek their first-ever win over Iowa State in the second game played between the programs in BYU’s Big 12 era.
The series dates back to 1968.
2023: Iowa State 45, BYU 13
BYU’s defense was manhandled all night by a team that came into the game with the 89th-ranked scoring offense in the country. On the other side, an interception on the Cougars’ first offensive snap seemed to paralyze the passing attack all game.
#BYU falls to Iowa State at home.@Mitch_Harper & @baiamontematt break it down.#BYUFootball #GoCougs #Big12 pic.twitter.com/RuKI8ygm2T
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2023
Jake Retzlaff completed 10-of-27 passes (37.3 percent) and had 17 carries for 85 yards while being constantly harassed by the Cyclone defense. Jojo Phillips and Isaac Rex caught touchdown passes in the loss.
LJ Martin carried eight times for 57 yards, and Chase Roberts added 23 total yards of offense with two catches.
BYU finished its first season in the Big 12 with a 5-7 record.
1974: BYU 7, Iowa State 34
Iowa State’s defense set an early tone with a first-quarter safety, one of two on the day. The Cyclones built a 22-0 lead before BYU’s John Betham caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Mark Giles.
The Cyclones’ special teams unit added a blocked punt return touchdown.
BYU ended the year with a 7-4-1 record.
1973: Iowa State 26, BYU 24
The Cyclones’ second trip to Provo was a 26-24 win.
BYU finished the season with a 5-6 record.
1969: BYU 0, Iowa State 10
Defense dominated the first meeting in Ames, with the Cyclones holding BYU scoreless. Iowa State’s only points came in the first quarter. Neither offense threatened ion the final three quarters.
The Cougars’ anemic attack finished the day with 43 yards on 57 plays. BYU punter Richard Adams punted 15 times, averaging 40 yards per kick.
BYU ended the year with a 6-4 record.
1968: BYU 20, Iowa State 28
Iowa State traveled to Provo and handed the Cougars an eight-point loss despite being outgained offensively 435 yards to 256 yards for the Cyclones.
BYU’s Dave Swanson scored twice while rushing for 92 yards on 18 carries. QB Marc Lyons completed 16 passes for 189 yards in the loss.
The Cougars finished the regular season with a 2-8 record.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
