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Aiden Flora accounts for 5 TDs as Iowa State outlasts West Virginia in a wild 45-42 victory
Flora ran for 212 yards and three scores and threw two touchdown passes as the Cyclones outgained West Virginia 577-518.
- On Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, the Iowa State Cyclones defeated West Virginia 45-42 at Jack Trice Stadium. Running back Aiden Flora accounted for five touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 1:57 remaining in a game where teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense.
- Surrendering 577 yards to Iowa State, Zac Alley, defensive coordinator, saw his unit falter following a 609-yard defensive collapse against Oklahoma State the previous week. The Mountaineers struggled with poor tackling and blown coverages, allowing 15 explosive plays throughout the contest.
- West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez acknowledged the defensive miscues after the loss. "I'm sure if I'm a Mountaineer fan it's hard to watch, because it's hard for me to watch," Rodriguez said regarding the defensive miscues.
- Facing a critical pivot point, the Mountaineers host Arizona at Milan Puskar Stadium for a Coal Rush at noon on Saturday, Oct. 10. The team must address defensive vulnerabilities to avoid falling further behind in the Big 12 standings.
- Iowa State's offense, previously last in the Big 12 with 345.3 yards per game, exploited defensive gaps. The Cyclones now look to build on this performance, having successfully utilized schemes not previously seen this season.
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AP Player of the Week: Iowa State RB Aiden Flora ran for 212 yards and 3 TDs and passed for 2 scores
Iowa State running back Aiden Flora is Associated Press national player of the week in college football for his performance against West Virginia. The former walk-on ran for three touchdowns and a career-high 212 yards and passed for two TDs…
What we learned in Week 4 against West Virginia
AMES — Iowa State broke its four-year homecoming victory drought with a 45-42 victory over West Virginia. The Cyclones’ constant success among their running backs and an upgrade in quarterback Jaylen Raynor’s passing game paved their way to victory, but a decline in defense almost held them back. Next on Iowa State’s agenda is No. 10 BYU as the team heads to Provo, Utah, to take on the Cougars at 9:15 p.m. CT Friday. Running backs remain consis…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources61
Leaning Left15Leaning Right6Center29Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Center
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
58% Center
L 30%
C 58%
12%
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