Running back Aiden Flora delivered a spectacular performance Saturday, rushing for 216 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter as Iowa State rolled to a 41‑13 win over Cincinnati at home. The Cyclones (5‑5, 3‑4 Big 12) amassed 551 total yards, marking their fourth game of the season with over 500 yards and extending their home record to 5‑1.
Flora’s dominant first quarter
Flora carried the ball 28 times, gaining 216 yards and scoring three rushing touchdowns from 11, 77 and 5 yards. He also caught two passes for 19 yards and completed a 37‑yard pass to tight end Vince Benetti, finishing the game 4‑for‑4 passing for 85 yards. His 125‑yard, three‑touchdown effort in the first quarter ties him with BYU’s LJ Martin as the only players to rush for three touchdowns in a first quarter this season.
Season‑long consistency
This marks the third 200‑plus rushing yard game for Flora this year and his fifth game with at least 180 yards. Over his last three outings he has averaged 206.3 rushing yards, and his season average stands at 133.5 yards per game. He ranks among just four players nationwide averaging more than seven yards per scrimmage touch.
Coach and player praise
Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers praised Flora’s work ethic and the team’s commitment to getting him the ball: “Everything he’s done to this point is pretty awesome. It goes back to finding different ways to get him the ball, to utilize his strength, and honestly, him really believing in himself and working hard to get this kind of result.” Flora credited the offensive line, wide receivers and quarterback Jaylen Raynor’s run‑pass options, noting, “The blocking is outstanding. It’s pretty easy to run for 200 when 150 of them are free grass.”
Cincinnati’s struggle
The Bearcats (5‑5, 2‑5) fell to their sixth consecutive road loss and their 12th straight November defeat since 2023. Cincinnati’s Cole Tabb opened the game with a 66‑yard run that set up the Bearcats’ first touchdown, but the Cyclones quickly seized control. Tabb finished with 165 rushing yards on 16 carries and added eight receptions for 70 yards. Quarterback JC French IV completed 14 of 23 passes for 97 yards.
Cincinnati managed 401 total yards but could convert only 2 of 10 third‑down attempts and 1 of 5 fourth‑down tries, ranking 21st nationally in third‑down efficiency (47%). Coach Scott Satterfield lamented the poor execution: “In a game like this, where we knew they were going to be able to score some points, we couldn’t keep up on third and fourth down. It’s the worst we’ve been all year.”
Implications for the season
The win keeps Iowa State in the hunt for bowl eligibility, though the Cyclones must win at least one of their final two games to secure a postseason berth in Coach Rogers’ first season. Cincinnati now needs a victory to reach bowl eligibility for a second consecutive year.
Looking ahead
Next weekend the Bearcats host Colorado, while the Cyclones travel to face UCF on Friday.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
