Iowa State Cyclones Football: History, NFL Players & Ireland Game

Every fall, college football fans in Ames, Iowa, know exactly what they’re getting: crisp tailgates, the roar of Jack Trice Stadium, and a program that has quietly built a reputation for resilience. But in 2025, the Iowa State Cyclones did something they had never done before—they packed their helmets and flew across the Atlantic.

All-time NFL draft picks: 52 ·
Highest final AP ranking: No. 9 (2020) ·
2025 season opener location: Dublin, Ireland ·
Head coach: Jimmy Rogers ·
Home stadium: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA

Why is Iowa State playing in Ireland?

The season opener in Dublin, Ireland, against Kansas State wasn’t just a game; it marked a new chapter for a team that has produced 52 NFL draft picks and climbed as high as No. 9 in the national rankings. College football has been expanding its footprint overseas, and Iowa State is the latest program to take part. The Cyclones opened the 2025 season against Kansas State at Aviva Stadium in Dublin as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic series (Cyclones to Ireland – official event site). It marked the first time Iowa State played a football game outside the United States.

What is the Aer Lingus College Football Classic?

The series brings American college football to Ireland, rotating teams each year. The 2025 edition was the fourth annual classic (Cyclones to Ireland (official event site)). Previous participants have included Notre Dame, Navy, and Northwestern.

Who is Iowa State playing in the 2025 Ireland game?

The opponent was Big 12 rival Kansas State. Iowa State won 24-21 in a tightly contested game (Big 12 Conference). The win helped set the tone for an 8-4 regular season.

Who paid for Iowa State to go to Ireland?

The financial side of the Ireland game was not straightforward. Iowa State settled a lawsuit related to the game and did not receive direct revenue from the event (Iowa State Athletics). The exact settlement amount was not disclosed publicly.

Did Iowa State make money from the Ireland game?

No direct revenue was reported from the game itself. The university’s official schedule notes the game as a neutral-site contest, but Iowa State was listed as the home team (Iowa State Athletics). The settlement resolved disputes over the financial arrangements.

Why was there a lawsuit over the Ireland game?

Details of the lawsuit remain sparse. What is known is that the university settled the case, and the settlement terms were not made public. The game proceeded as scheduled.

How many NFL players went to Iowa State?

Iowa State has produced 52 NFL draft picks in its history (Iowa State Athletics). While not a traditional powerhouse, the Cyclones have sent a steady stream of talent to the pros.

List of Iowa State Cyclones in the NFL draft

• Troy Davis – Running back, finished 2nd in Heisman voting in 1994, drafted by the New Orleans Saints (Wikipedia)
• Seneca Wallace – Quarterback, drafted by the Seahawks in 2003 (Wikipedia)
• AJ Klein – Linebacker, drafted by the Panthers and played extensively in the NFL (Wikipedia)
• Brock Purdy – Quarterback, drafted by the 49ers in 2022 (Mr. Irrelevant) later became starting QB (NFL)
• David Montgomery – Running back, drafted by the Bears in 2019 (Pro Football Reference)

The connection to the NFL is also visible in recent matchups. For broader context on how college programs feed the league, check out our analysis of Green Bay Packers vs Pittsburgh Steelers Player Stats and Detroit Lions vs Vikings 2025: Odds, Score & Playoff Impact.

What is the highest Iowa State has been ranked in football?

Iowa State’s highest final AP ranking is No. 9, achieved in the 2020 season (Wikipedia). That year, the Cyclones peaked at No. 6 in the AP Poll during week 6 before finishing strong with a Fiesta Bowl appearance.

Iowa State’s best season rankings

• 2020: Final AP rank No. 9, peak No. 6 (week 6)
• 2021: Finished unranked after a 7-6 season
• 2025: Finished 8-4, ranking not yet finalized

The 2020 season remains the gold standard for the program under former coach Matt Campbell.

Where are the Iowa State Cyclones?

Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa, about 30 miles north of Des Moines. The Cyclones play their home games at Jack Trice Stadium, which seats approximately 61,500 (Iowa State Athletics).

Jack Trice Stadium capacity and history

Named after Jack Trice, the first African-American athlete at Iowa State who died from injuries sustained in a 1923 football game, the stadium has undergone expansions, including projects completed in 2022 that added premium seating and improved facilities.

The stadium is known for its unique “Cyclone” atmosphere, especially during the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game against Iowa.

What is cyclone football’s biggest rivalry?

The most prominent rivalry for Iowa State is with the Iowa Hawkeyes, playing for the Cy-Hawk Trophy annually (Wikipedia). Another key rivalry is with Kansas State for the Farmageddon trophy (Wikipedia).

Iowa State vs. Iowa Hawkeyes rivalry

Known as the Cy-Hawk Trophy game, this in-state matchup rotates between Ames and Iowa City. The 2025 game was played on September 6 at Jack Trice Stadium, with Iowa State winning 16-13 (Iowa State Athletics).

Iowa State vs. Kansas State rivalry

The Farmageddon rivalry is especially significant in 2025 because the two teams also met in Dublin for the season opener. Iowa State won both matchups that year (24-21 in Dublin; the second game on November 22 in Manhattan? Actually the schedule shows Kansas game on Nov 22, not K-State. The second K-State game is not listed separately—it was only once, the Dublin game).

The implication: The Cy-Hawk game draws more national attention, but the Farmageddon trophy has been a consistent battle for Big 12 positioning.

Is Iowa State a good football team?

That depends on your definition. Iowa State has appeared in six bowl games in the last seven seasons (as of 2024) (Wikipedia). The 2025 season brought an 8-4 record, including wins over ranked opponents like Iowa and Arizona (Big 12 Conference).

Iowa State football analytics ranking

ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) has typically ranked Iowa State somewhere in the 40-60 range nationally in recent years (ESPN). For the 2025 season, the Cyclones were projected around No. 45 before the season, but the 8-4 mark suggests they outperformed expectations.

Recent bowl game appearances

The pattern: Iowa State is consistently good enough to reach bowl games, but has only won 16 of 32 bowl appearances. The program is solid but not elite—a classic “second-tier” Big 12 team that can surprise a top-10 opponent on a good day.

Timeline

• 1913: First season of Iowa State football (Wikipedia)
• 1994: Troy Davis finishes second in Heisman voting (Wikipedia)
• 2020: Highest AP ranking of No. 9 (Wikipedia)
• 2022: Jack Trice Stadium expansions completed (Iowa State Athletics)
• 2025: Season opener in Dublin, Ireland vs. Kansas State (Iowa State Athletics)

Clarity check

Perspectives

“It’s the first time we’ve ever played a game outside the US, and our fans are beyond excited. It’s a unique opportunity to showcase Iowa State football on an international stage.”

Iowa State athletic director, speaking on the Dublin game (Iowa State Athletics)

“The Iowa State Cyclones football team represents Iowa State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and competes in the Big 12 Conference.”

Wikipedia

For players and staff, the Ireland trip was a cultural experience as much as a football game. The program’s willingness to travel abroad reflects a broader trend of college football embracing international expansion.

Frequently asked questions

For Iowa State football, the 2025 season was a symbol of how far the program has come—from a small Midwestern school to a team that opens its season in a foreign capital. The Dublin game, the legal headaches, the NFL pipeline, and the persistent underdog identity all paint a picture of a program that refuses to be ignored. The Cyclones and their fans now face a clear challenge: keep building on that 8-4 momentum, keep sending players to the NFL, and turn that College Football Playoff run from a dream into a plan.