The Iowa State Cyclones will take the field at BYU’s LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, Friday, Oct. 9, for the first Big 12 road test of the 2026 season. Kickoff is set for 9:15 p.m. Central Time and the game will be televised on ESPN, with a livestream available through ESPN Unlimited (subscription required).
Series history and recent results
Iowa State holds a 5‑1 advantage in the all‑time series against the Cougars. The most recent meeting, however, was a 41‑27 BYU victory at Iowa State’s Jack Trice Stadium in 2025, when BYU rallied from a 24‑10 deficit in the second half. The Cyclones’ last win over BYU came in Provo in 2023, a 45‑13 triumph highlighted by Abu Sama’s 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and a pair of scores caught by Jaylin Noel.
BYU’s current standing
BYU enters the contest undefeated at 4‑0 and ranked in the top ten nationally. Head coach Kalani Sitake, now in his 11th season, has guided the Cougars to a 23‑4 record over the past two seasons and secured top‑25 finishes four times since 2020. The program boasts a 17‑3 Big 12 record after a challenging inaugural league season in 2023.
Defensively, the Cougars allow just 14.2 points per game, keeping both Arizona and TCU under the 20‑point mark. No opponent has surpassed 100 rushing yards against BYU this season. On offense, running back LJ Martin has amassed 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier adds a dual‑threat dimension with four rushing touchdowns, while the defense has recorded at least one interception in each game.
What Iowa State fans need to know
Tickets for the game are sold through BYU’s official website. Fans can purchase seats online via the provided link. For those unable to attend, the live broadcast on ESPN and the ESPN Unlimited stream will provide full coverage.
KCCI will also feature highlights and analysis on its “Big College Kickoff” program each Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on the Very Local app throughout the fall season. Viewers can submit questions to [email protected]; the station’s hosts—Scott Reister, Cullen Holt, or Shannon Ehrhardt—will pose selected questions to players during weekly media sessions.
Looking ahead
The outcome of Friday’s game will set the tone for Iowa State’s Big 12 campaign. A win would extend the Cyclones’ series lead and provide momentum heading into conference play, while a loss could highlight areas for improvement against a top‑ranked opponent. Regardless of the result, the matchup offers a compelling showcase of two high‑performing programs and promises an exciting night of college football for fans in both Iowa and Utah.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
