Iowa State vs. UCF: Cyclones Aim to Match Historic Season Start

The Iowa State Cyclones are on the brink of equaling a historic record as they prepare to face the University of Central Florida (UCF) this weekend. Currently ranked No. 9, Iowa State has achieved a 6-0 start to the season, which positions them one victory away from matching the 7-0 start achieved by the 1938 team. The Cyclones will host UCF at the Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday evening.

Scott Reister, sports director at KCCI, reported that the team’s performance this season has been exceptional. “It has been a wild ride,” Reister commented, emphasizing the Cyclones’ potential to match their best start in school history set in 1938. Iowa State’s head coach, Matt Campbell, noted that linebacker Caleb Bernina is close to returning from injury, a development expected to bolster the lineup.

The upcoming game is the first-ever meeting between Iowa State and UCF in college football. UCF’s football program, which has been competing at the Division I FBS level since 1996, has undergone transitions through several conferences before joining the Big 12. The Knights arrive in Ames with a 3-3 season record, experiencing a three-game losing streak, and facing a quarterback controversy as Coach Gus Malzahn has yet to name a starter following a recent loss to Cincinnati.

Iowa State’s defense has been a key factor in its success, allowing only 11 points per game, placing them fifth nationally in this category. The Cyclones will need to be prepared to counter UCF’s renowned speed and dynamic offensive playstyle, often described as possessing “Florida speed.”

The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1. For those unable to attend in person, streaming options are available via Fox Sports Live with TV provider login. Online radio coverage can be accessed through the Varsity Network.

Fans interested in attending the game can still purchase tickets through Iowa State’s partnership with Ticketmaster. As of Tuesday, tickets were available starting at $54 per seat. This exciting matchup is expected to draw significant attention as the Cyclones aim to continue their impressive ascent in the national rankings.

In related news, “Big College Kickoff,” a new local pregame show, will air every Saturday morning on KCCI, providing additional college football coverage with local perspectives and fan culture insight.