Iowa State Falls to No. 15 Utah, 31-17

Saturday, September 26

Ames, Iowa

2:30 PM

Iowa State

2-2 , 0-1

Utah

4-0 , 1-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
#15 Utah	14	10	0	7	31
Iowa State	0	3	7	7	17

Iowa State Falls to No. 15 Utah, 31-17

09.26.2026 | Football

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AMES, Iowa – Iowa State's (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) second-half rally fell short against No. 15 Utah (4-0, 1-0 Big12) Saturday afternoon.

Despite a 21-point halftime deficit, the Cyclones rallied with two touchdowns and three straight stops on defense to pull within seven, but the Utes took the 31-17 win on MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium.

While passing yards were nearly identical, Utah outgained ISU on the ground, 205-111 which snapped the Cyclones' four-game streak of holding opponents to less than 100 rushing yards. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier was 18-of-27 with two touchdowns while running back Wayshawn Parker carried the ball 18 times for 174 of Utah's 205 rushing yards.

Iowa State quarterback Jaylen Raynor finished 21-of-40 for 205 yards with a touchdown pass to Dominic Overby. Raynor also had a rushing touchdown in the third quarter. Sullivan Schlimgen led the ISU defense with 12 tackles while Duhron Goodman added nine and Brody Miller was credited with eight.

Utah established the run game early, returning the opening kickoff 36 yards to their own 46-yard line. A direct snap to Parker resulted in a 54-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.

Raynor found Flora down the sideline on a 30-yard pass play, Flora's longest reception of his career, but the Utes defense stifled the Cyclone run game and forced a punt.

Utah's second scoring drive covered 90 yards in just over four minutes of game clock. Dampier completed passes of 30 and four yards to Creed Whittemore and Parker, respectively, before a touchdown pass of 24 yards to Braden Pagen extended the lead to 14-0, following the PAT. Parker also scattered 17 rushing yards throughout the drive.

The Utes regained possession after Iowa State turned the ball over on downs with 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Utah took the ball down into the red zone, but the Cyclone defense limited the Utes to a field goal.

The Cyclone offense responded on the following drive as Raynor found Omari Hayes for an 18-yard pass completion before a Connor Moberly quarterback keeper moved the ball to midfield. Additional Raynor pass completions of two, five and six yards set up Kyle Konrardy's 47-yard field goal to put Iowa State on the board with 3:50 to play in the half.

But Utah completed an efficient 75-yard touchdown drive in 2:15 of game clock to put the Utes ahead 24-3 at the half.

Coming out of the halftime break, Iowa State used a seven-minute, 12-play, 82-yard drive down the field to cut Utah's lead to 14 points. Raynor threw for 46 yards early in the drive to move the Cyclones to the Utah 41-yard line. Raynor kept the ball for an 11-yard rush before running in the 8-yard touchdown two plays later.

The Cyclone defense also stepped up and slowed Utah's offense with back-to-back stops to start the second half. Carson Willich was credited with a sack while Brody Miller and Sullivan Schlimgen each recorded a pair of tackles. The ISU pass rush tallied three quarterback hurries over two Utah drives.

Iowa State mounted another methodical touchdown drive, going 81 yards in 11 plays to pull within 24-17 with 10:48 remaining in the fourth quarter. Raynor completed a 13-yard pass to Cameron Pettaway before Flora's six-yard rush and a defensive pass interference put the Cyclones into Ute territory. Raynor scrambled up the middle for another 12-yard gain.

After a loss of two yards and two incomplete passes, Raynor found Dominic Overby down the sideline for a 12-yard pickup, but Overby was originally ruled short of the first down. After official review of the ball spot, the chain gang was brought onto the field for measurement, and Iowa State was granted a first down. On the next play, Raynor found Overby wide open near the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown to cap the drive.

Iowa State's defense came up big again, forcing another Utah punt, but the Cyclones were unable to capitalize on offense, and Utah moved the ball down the field for the game-sealing touchdown.

Iowa State hosts homecoming next Saturday, October 3, in Jack Trice Stadium against West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on TNT.