On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Iowa State University welcomed its newly‑appointed head football coach, Jimmy Rogers, to a press conference in Ames. The event, held on the university’s campus, gave local fans, alumni and media a first look at the Cyclones’ 2026 schedule and the coach’s early priorities for the program.
Season opener and early matchups
Coach Rogers announced that the Cyclones will kick off the season at home on Saturday, Sept. 5, against Southeast Missouri State at noon, with the game streaming on ESPN+. The following week, the team travels to Iowa City for the traditional Cy‑Hawk rivalry against the Hawkeyes, a primetime contest scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on NBC.
Full 2026 schedule
The complete slate of games includes:
- Sept. 19 – Bowling Green (11 a.m., ESPNU)
- Sept. 26 – Utah (time to be announced)
- Oct. 3 – West Virginia (time to be announced)
- Oct. 10 – at BYU (9:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Oct. 24 – at Arizona (time to be announced)
- Oct. 31 – Oklahoma State (time to be announced)
- Nov. 7 – at Baylor (time to be announced)
- Nov. 14 – Cincinnati (time to be announced)
- Nov. 20 – at UCF (5 p.m., FS1)
- Nov. 28 – Kansas State (time to be announced)
All games will be played on Saturdays except for the Friday night finale at UCF.
Coach Rogers’ outlook
In his remarks, Rogers emphasized a commitment to “hard work, discipline and a family‑first atmosphere” for his players. He highlighted the importance of parental involvement and community support, noting that Iowa State’s success on the field reflects the values of the surrounding families and the broader faith‑centered community.
Rogers also addressed the upcoming challenges of competing in the Big 12, stressing that the team will rely on strong fundamentals and a balanced offense to contend with traditional powerhouses. He thanked the university’s athletic department for the resources provided and expressed confidence that the Cyclones can earn a winning record this season.
Local reaction
Fans gathered outside the press venue to hear the new coach’s plans, many wearing Cyclones apparel and displaying signs of support. Local business owners, including several family‑run restaurants near the campus, voiced optimism that a competitive football season will boost community morale and bring additional visitors to downtown Ames.
University officials reminded supporters that tickets for the home opener will go on sale next week, with early‑bird pricing available for families and students.
Looking ahead
As the Cyclones prepare for their first game, the focus will shift to building cohesion among returning players and integrating the incoming recruiting class. Coach Rogers concluded the conference by inviting the Ames community to join the team’s journey, underscoring the shared responsibility of coaches, players, parents and fans to uphold the program’s tradition of excellence.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
