MEMPHIS, TN – Iowa State failed to keep pace with a huge first quarter as Memphis raced to a 19-0 lead over the Cyclones, leading to a 36-26 loss in the Liberty Bowl.
Memphis’ 19 points in the first quarter were the most ISU has ever allowed in the opening quarter of a bowl game. The 36 points scored by the Tigers are the most allowed by the Cyclones in a bowl game. Iowa State answered with 10-straight points, by the Cyclone defense was missing key players and was shredded early and often.
Iowa State’s 13 plays of 50 or more yards this season are the most in school history going back to 1971.
ISU’s eight passing plays of 50 yards or more this season are the second-most in school history going back to 1971. *Iowa State is 5-13 all-time in bowl games.
Campbell is now 53-48 at Iowa State and 88-63 overall as a head coach.
Iowa State’s zero yards rushing were the fewest since having -6 against Colorado in 2010.
Iowa State’s 446 yards passing are the second-most in school history and the most in a bowl game.
ISU’s 446 yards of total offense are the third-most in a bowl game in school history.
Iowa State’s 26 points are tied for the fourth-most in a bowl game in school history.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
*His 446 yards passing are the most in school history.
*Second quarterback to pass for 440 yards or more during Bowl Season.
*His three passing touchdowns are tied for the most in a bowl game in school history (Bret Meyer – 2005).
*Moved into fifth in Big 12 history for completions by a freshman with 231.
*His 3,120 yards passing this year are the third-most in Big 12 history by a freshman.
*Moved into fifth in Big 12 history with 23 passing touchdowns this season.
*Responsible for 26 touchdowns this season, the second-most in school history behind Brock Purdy’s 35 in 2019.
*Passed for 23 touchdowns this season, the second-most in school history behind Brock Purdy’s 27 in 2019.
*His 3,120 yards passing this season is the fourth-most in school history and just the fourth player to pass for over 3,000 yards in a season.
Abu Sama
*Finished season with 614 yards rushing, the third-most by a freshman in school history.
Jaylin Noel
*Has caught a pass in 32-straight games, tied for the fourth-longest streak in school history. *Caught his seventh touchdown pass of the season and 10th of his career.
*Moved into sixth on the career receptions list with 165.
*His 66 receptions this season are the seventh-most in school history.
Jayden Higgins
*Caught a touchdown pass in back-to-back games for second time this season (Iowa/Ohio & Kansas State/Memphis). *His nine receptions are tied for the second-most in a bowl game in school history.
*Became the third player in Liberty Bowl history to have over 200 yards receiving.
*His 214 yards receiving are tied for the second-most in school history and the most in a bowl game.
*His 53-yard reception is tied for the second-longest reception in a bowl game in school history. *His 214 receiving yards are the most in Bowl Season this year.
*Tallied his third 100-yard receiving game of the year and fifth of his career with 214 yards. *Finished season with 983 yards receiving, the eighth-most in school history.
Beni Ngoyi
*Caught his first career pass, a gain of 46 yards in the fourth quarter, in just his second career game.
Easton Dean
*Caught his third touchdown pass of the season and fifth of his career.
Gerry Vaughn
*Played in his 63rd game at Iowa State, tied with former teammate Jake Hummel (2017-21) for the most in school history.
Caleb Bacon
*Tied his career-high for tackles with eight.
Beau Freyler
*Made his 25th start at Iowa State.
*His 10 solo tackles are the most in a bowl game (going back to 2000) breaking his own record of nine from 2021. *His 107 tackles this season are the most since Joel Lanning (114) and Marcel Spears Jr. (107) in 2017.
Myles Purchase
*Made his 25th start as a Cyclone.
Chase Contreraz
*His 21 field goals this season broke the previous school record of 20 held by Andrew Mevis in 2021 and Jeff Shudak in 1987. *Broke Iowa State’s kicking points record with 99 this season, breaking Adam Benike’s record of 97 in 2002.
*Became the fifth player in school history to make multiple field goals in a bowl game.
