AMES, Iowa — Jimmy Rogers’ first game as Iowa State’s head football coach ended exactly the way he wanted — with a victory.
The Cyclones opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Saturday, overwhelming Southeast Missouri 38-10 at MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium behind standout performances from quarterback Jaylen Raynor and defensive end Isaac Terrell.
Raynor accounted for four touchdowns in his Iowa State debut, throwing for two scores and adding two more on the ground. Terrell was equally disruptive on defense, recording three sacks in the first half as the Cyclones consistently pressured Southeast Missouri’s offense.
For Rogers, who arrived at Iowa State after his previous stint at Washington State, the victory provided an encouraging first glimpse of a roster that underwent a dramatic transformation during the offseason.
Iowa State entered the season with 83 newcomers joining 43 returning players. Despite the extensive turnover, the Cyclones quickly established control against a Southeast Missouri team that had already played and won a game this season.
Raynor Makes Immediate Impact
Raynor looked comfortable from the start in his first game directing the Iowa State offense.
The former Arkansas State starter completed 8 of 16 passes for 164 yards without throwing an interception. He connected with tight end Vince Benetti on a 24-yard touchdown and later found running back Easton Miller for a 10-yard scoring strike.
Raynor was just as dangerous when he left the pocket.
He rushed seven times for 32 yards and scored twice on 7-yard runs. His ability to escape pressure and extend plays repeatedly helped Iowa State sustain drives, while he was sacked only once.
The Cyclones wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.
Raynor opened the game’s first scoring drive with a 45-yard completion to Dominic Overby down the right sideline. Three plays later, Raynor kept the ball and raced seven yards into the end zone, giving Iowa State a 7-0 lead less than five minutes into the afternoon.
The Cyclones extended their advantage when Aiden Flora delivered a big play on special teams. Flora returned a punt 36 yards, setting up Raynor’s touchdown pass to Benetti.
The reception was the first of Benetti’s career and gave Iowa State a 14-0 advantage.
Southeast Missouri answered with a 7-yard touchdown run from Chance Wilson, but the Redhawks could not slow the Cyclones before halftime.
Flora scored on an 11-yard touchdown run after initially finding little room up the middle, bouncing outside and accelerating into the end zone to make it 21-7.
Iowa State’s defense then forced another turnover, and the offense immediately took advantage.
Beni Ngoyi made a leaping interception at the Iowa State 45-yard line — the first interception of his career. The Cyclones needed only three plays to turn the takeaway into another touchdown, highlighted by a 34-yard completion from Raynor to Omari Hayes.
On the following play, Miller slipped out of the backfield and hauled in Raynor’s 10-yard touchdown pass, sending Iowa State into halftime with a 28-7 advantage.
Cyclones Defense Sets the Tone
While Raynor provided the offensive fireworks, Iowa State’s revamped defense made perhaps the biggest statement of the afternoon.
Terrell, who followed Rogers from Washington State, repeatedly found his way into the Southeast Missouri backfield. He recorded all three of his sacks before halftime and finished just a half-sack shy of the school record for a single game.
The Cyclones finished with six sacks, one short of the program record and their highest total since recording six against TCU in 2020.
The pressure was part of a broader defensive transformation under first-year coordinator Jesse Bobbit, who has installed a four-man front after Iowa State previously operated with a three-man front under former coordinator Jon Heacock.
The new approach produced 12 tackles for loss, with the Cyclones accounting for 79 yards lost behind the line of scrimmage.
Iowa State also forced three turnovers, recovering two fumbles in addition to Ngoyi’s interception.
The defense even erased the damage from Iowa State’s lone turnover.
Flora muffed a punt, giving Southeast Missouri an opportunity, but the Cyclones’ defense responded by pushing the Redhawks back 13 yards over three plays. Southeast Missouri was forced to attempt a 52-yard field goal, which sailed wide right.
Iowa State Finishes Strong
After a 33-yard field goal from Kyle Konrardy in the third quarter, the Cyclones added one final touchdown in the fourth.
Raynor completed the scoring with another 7-yard touchdown run, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive — Iowa State’s longest scoring march of the game.
The drive also represented the only Iowa State scoring possession that lasted longer than two minutes.
Konrardy, who has delivered memorable performances in Iowa State’s last two meetings with Iowa, also contributed to the victory with his field goal.
Now, the Cyclones turn their attention to their biggest early-season test.
Iowa State will travel to Iowa City next Saturday for the annual rivalry matchup with Iowa. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
