AMES — Iowa State football’s regular-season finale is almost here.
And it doesn’t get much bigger than finishing out the 2024 campaign with a home matchup between the Cyclones and their primary Big 12 rival, Kansas State.
Iowa State (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) hosts the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3 Big 12) on Saturday for one final night game at Jack Trice Stadium this season. This contest means a lot more than just a rivalry matchup, especially with a 10-win season on the line.
Add in the Big 12 saying there are 256 different scenarios that could decide who plays in the conference title game, and this week’s matchup is more important than ever.
“I don’t look at any of that stuff,” head coach Matt Campbell said Tuesday. “My belief is, if our football team takes care of us, then we will put ourselves in the best position to be successful, and we’ll tell our story at the end of the football season.”
Here are three takeaways from Campbell’s availability on Tuesday.
The Cyclones boast not one, but two capable wide receivers in Noel and Higgins, and each put together an impressive stat line in their senior seasons. Higgins recently passed the 1,000-receiving-yard mark for the season, and Noel is just 24 yards from joining his teammate in that exclusive club.
Campbell couldn’t say enough about those two players’ impact on Iowa State.
“They’ve never been above the team,” Campbell said. “I don’t think they’ve ever cared who gets the credit, who gets the ball. And I think it’s what allowed them to be so special. How they practice, how they go about their business, I think they’ve elevated each other.”
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The Wildcats use a more than capable running back in DJ Giddens, who has rushed for 1,271 yards and seven touchdowns, so far, this season. He became the third player in program history to rush for over 3,000 yards in a career.
But Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson adds another element to the offense. He has run for 484 yards and six scores on the ground this season. Iowa State’s defense will need to prepare for Johnson’s abilities with his arm and his legs.
“He’s such a talented runner and really a talented football player in general,” Campbell said. “We played some really talented quarterbacks that can run, you know. Where were we good? Where were we not good? How do you continue to evolve?
“And then you try to use some different things in practice to replicate those things. But obviously, his speed, his athleticism, his talent, those are hard. (He) presents a great challenge.”
More:Hines: Iowa State football has ‘everything to play for’ against Kansas State
Campbell provided updates on four injured Iowa State players. Defensive back Drew Surges looked like he might be on the cusp of returning, and players like Singleton and Brahmer could come back from injuries suffered in the back half of the season.
“Drew, yes,” Campbell said about Surges’ status, then continued, “Singleton practiced today, so I think really big. Brahmer, at practice today. I think he’s probably close. We’ll see where he is by Saturday at game time.
“Cael (Brezina) probably not. We’re probably a week away from seeing Cael again.”
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
