The Iowa State vs BYU football game ended with the No. 8 BYU Cougars securing a 24-10 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones on Friday night, October 9, 2026, in Provo, Utah. Despite several costly mistakes by BYU, Iowa State could not generate enough offense to complete a comeback.
The win improved BYU’s record to 5-0, keeping the Cougars undefeated in the 2026 college football season. Meanwhile, Iowa State fell to 3-3 after struggling offensively for most of the contest.
The BYU vs Iowa State matchup featured explosive passing plays, defensive stops, special-teams mistakes and a late Cyclones rally that ultimately fell short.
BYU vs Iowa State Final Score
BYU defeated Iowa State by a final score of 24-10. The Cougars controlled much of the game, particularly through their passing attack, while the Cyclones struggled to sustain drives.
- Final score: BYU 24, Iowa State 10
- Location: Provo, Utah
- BYU record: 5-0
- Iowa State record: 3-3
- Rank: BYU entered the game ranked No. 8
- TV channel: ESPN
The final BYU score reflected the Cougars’ offensive advantage. BYU accumulated 506 total yards, compared with only 200 for Iowa State. The Cyclones managed just 49 yards of total offense in the first half, making their late push difficult to sustain.
How the BYU Football Game Unfolded
First Quarter: BYU Strikes First
The BYU football team opened the scoring with an impressive 10-play, 75-yard drive. Running back Journee Tonga finished the possession with a six-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Cougars an early 7-0 advantage.
Iowa State struggled to respond on its opening possession and was forced to punt. The Cyclones’ defense eventually settled down, producing a key tackle for loss by Carson Willich and forcing BYU to punt.
The Cyclones later put together a promising drive, and kicker Kyle Konrardy connected on a 40-yard field goal early in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 7-3.
Second Quarter: Cougars Extend Their Lead
Iowa State’s defense made several important stops, including a fourth-down stand that prevented BYU from extending its advantage on an earlier possession.
However, the Cougars continued to find opportunities through the air. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier connected with Roger Saleapaga II for a 63-yard completion that moved BYU deep into Iowa State territory.
Kyler Kasper later caught a five-yard touchdown pass, extending BYU’s lead to 14-3 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half.
At halftime, BYU had accumulated 250 total yards, while Iowa State had managed only 49. The Cyclones needed a major offensive improvement to have a realistic chance of upsetting the eighth-ranked Cougars.
Third Quarter: BYU Builds a 21-3 Lead
The Cougars continued their strong performance after halftime. A special-teams mistake briefly gave Iowa State an opportunity, but the Cyclones could not immediately turn the possession into points.
BYU then delivered one of the game’s biggest plays when Bachmeier threw a 75-yard touchdown pass, pushing the score to 21-3.
Iowa State’s offense remained inconsistent, but another BYU special-teams mistake gave the Cyclones a chance to respond. Iowa State eventually found the end zone through a one-yard touchdown pass from Jaylen Raynor, with Jamal Polite involved in the scoring play.
A delay-of-game penalty disrupted Iowa State’s attempt to go for two, and the Cyclones settled for the extra point. The score stood at 21-10, giving Iowa State a small amount of momentum heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Iowa State’s Comeback Falls Short
The Cyclones entered the final quarter trailing by 11 points and needed another touchdown to put pressure on BYU.
Iowa State’s defense continued to compete, while BYU’s mistakes prevented the Cougars from completely pulling away earlier. However, a crucial missed 46-yard field goal by Konrardy ended one of the Cyclones’ best opportunities to narrow the gap.
BYU added a 38-yard field goal late in the game to establish the final 24-10 score. Iowa State ran out of timeouts, and the Cougars closed out the victory.
Bear Bachmeier Leads BYU Football
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier played an important role in BYU’s win, helping the Cougars generate explosive plays through the passing game. His 63-yard completion to Roger Saleapaga II set up a touchdown, while his 75-yard scoring pass in the third quarter gave BYU a commanding lead.
Journee Tonga also contributed with the opening rushing touchdown, and Kyler Kasper added a receiving score.
The Cougars’ ability to move the football consistently was the biggest difference between the teams. Their 506 total yards demonstrated how effectively they attacked Iowa State’s defense, even though penalties and special-teams mistakes created unnecessary opportunities for the Cyclones.
Iowa State Football Struggles on Offense
The Iowa State football team had difficulty establishing an offensive rhythm throughout the game. The Cyclones managed just 49 total yards in the first half and were frequently forced to punt.
Jaylen Raynor helped Iowa State reach the end zone in the second half, but the offense could not consistently move the chains. The Cyclones’ late improvement was not enough to overcome the large yardage gap.
Aiden Flora provided some important moments on the ground, including a key fourth-down sequence, but Iowa State needed more sustained production from its offense.
The missed field goal also proved costly. With BYU leading 21-10, a successful kick could have given the Cyclones additional momentum and kept their comeback hopes alive.
Iowa State also faced defensive personnel challenges, with Dom Overby leaving the game after appearing to sustain a knee injury. Drew Surges, Caden Crawford and Ka’Mori Moore were among the players listed as out before the matchup.
Iowa State vs BYU Prediction: What Went Wrong?
The pregame Iowa State vs BYU prediction favored the Cougars, with one forecast projecting a 28-17 BYU victory. The actual result was a 24-10 win for BYU.
The prediction was correct about BYU’s advantage, but Iowa State scored fewer points than expected.
BYU’s offensive efficiency proved decisive. The Cougars repeatedly created explosive plays, while Iowa State struggled to produce first downs and scoring opportunities. Although BYU’s mistakes kept the game from becoming a complete blowout, the Cyclones could not capitalize consistently.
For fans searching for a BYU vs Iowa State prediction, the result highlights the importance of offensive production, turnover-free special teams and converting scoring opportunities into touchdowns.
Where to Watch Iowa State Cyclones Football vs BYU Cougars Football
Fans looking for where to watch Iowa State Cyclones football vs BYU Cougars football could watch the Week 6 matchup on ESPN, which carried the game nationally.
The contest was scheduled for Friday, October 9, at approximately 9:25 p.m. Central Time. It took place in Provo, Utah.
For future matchups, viewers should check ESPN’s listings and official team schedules for updated broadcast information and kickoff times.
Iowa State Football Schedule: Upcoming Games
Following the loss to BYU, Iowa State’s remaining 2026 regular-season schedule includes:
- October 24: at Arizona
- October 31: Oklahoma State
- November 7: at Baylor
- November 14: Cincinnati
- November 20: at UCF
- November 28: Kansas State
The Cyclones entered the BYU game at 3-2 after defeating West Virginia 45-42 in their previous outing. The loss in Provo dropped them to 3-3, increasing the importance of their upcoming conference games.
BYU Football Schedule: Upcoming Games
BYU remained undefeated at 5-0 after defeating Iowa State. The Cougars’ upcoming schedule includes:
- October 17: Notre Dame
- October 24: at UCF
- October 31: Arizona State
- November 7: at Utah
- November 14: Baylor
- November 21: at Kansas
- November 28: Cincinnati
The upcoming games will provide further tests for the Cougars as they look to maintain their strong start and remain competitive in the Big 12 race.
Final Takeaway: BYU Beats Iowa State 24-10
The Iowa State vs BYU football matchup ended with the Cougars earning a 24-10 victory and preserving their unbeaten record. BYU’s explosive passing offense and ability to generate 506 total yards made the difference, despite penalties and two muffed punts that gave Iowa State additional chances.
The Cyclones showed some fight in the second half, scoring a touchdown and taking advantage of BYU’s mistakes. However, their limited offensive production and a missed field goal prevented a serious comeback.
For BYU, the victory strengthened its early-season momentum. For Iowa State, the defeat highlighted the need for greater offensive consistency as the Cyclones continue their 2026 football schedule.
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