Iowa State Cyclones Face Off Against Utah Utes in Crucial College Football Matchup

The Iowa State Cyclones and the Utah Utes clashed in a significant college football matchup on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. This game marked the sixth meeting in the all-time series between the two teams, with Iowa State holding a 4-1 advantage, although Utah secured the last victory in 2010 in Ames.

Iowa State, with a strong record of 8-2 and 5-2 in the conference, presented a formidable challenge for the Utah Utes, who stood at 4-6 and 1-6 in the conference. The Cyclones came into the game following a 34-17 win over Cincinnati, while Utah was looking to bounce back from a 49-24 loss to Colorado.

The game was also significant for Utah as it was Senior Day, honoring a large group of seniors who have contributed to the team’s successes over the last four seasons. This emotional backdrop could provide additional motivation for the Utes to perform well against the Cyclones.

From a strategic standpoint, the matchup favored Utah in certain aspects. Iowa State’s defense, while disciplined, does not generate a lot of pressure on quarterbacks, having only 12.0 sacks on the season. Additionally, the Cyclones rely heavily on zone coverage, which could play into Utah’s hands given their struggles against man coverage defenses. Utah’s offense was expected to find opportunities if the offensive line could protect the quarterback.

Despite these favorable conditions, the game was anticipated to be closely contested. Iowa State’s quarterback, R. Becht, had a strong season with 2,628 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Utah’s I. Wilson had 1,436 yards and 10 touchdowns. The running game was also a key factor, with Utah’s M. Bernard having 880 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Iowa State’s C. Hansen with 503 yards and 9 touchdowns.

The game was broadcast on FOX and ESPN 700 AM / 92.1 FM, with kickoff at 5:30 PM MT.