AMES — Aiden Flora did just about everything but sell popcorn Saturday as Iowa State football survived a wild Big 12 shootout with West Virginia, 45-42, before 52,724 fans at Jack Trice Stadium.
Flora ran for a career-high 212 yards and three touchdowns while also completing both of his passes for two more scores, accounting for five touchdowns as the Cyclones secured their first Big 12 victory of the season.
Iowa State improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play. West Virginia fell to 3-2 and 0-2.
The teams combined for 31 points in a frantic fourth quarter, with Iowa State surrendering the lead twice before Flora powered into the end zone from two yards out with 1:57 remaining for what proved to be the winning touchdown.
Flora turns in historic afternoon
Flora carried 22 times for 212 yards, averaging 9.6 yards per attempt, and broke loose for touchdown runs of 24, 63 and 2 yards.
His work on the ground would have been enough for a huge afternoon.
Then he started throwing touchdowns.
Early in the second quarter, Flora connected with Cody Jackson for a 46-yard score to put Iowa State ahead 14-7.
With only five seconds remaining before halftime, Flora struck again, this time finding Vince Benetti from two yards out to give the Cyclones a 21-14 advantage.
Those were the first two touchdown passes of Flora’s Iowa State career.
According to Iowa State’s postgame notes, Flora became just the second running back in Big 12 history to throw two touchdown passes in a game.
He also became the first FBS running back since at least 1996 to record two passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and at least 100 rushing yards in the same game.
By the time he was finished, Flora had three rushing scores, two passing touchdowns and 212 rushing yards. 2026 Postgame Notes – West Virg…
Cyclones build lead, Mountaineers answer
West Virginia struck first on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Michael Hawkins Jr. to Cyrus Traugh.
Iowa State answered when Jaylen Raynor found Omari Hayes for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
Flora’s first touchdown pass pushed Iowa State ahead in the second quarter, but Hawkins tied it at 14-14 on an eight-yard run.
Flora’s second scoring pass sent Iowa State into halftime leading 21-14.
The Cyclones stretched the margin to 28-14 early in the third when Flora broke free for a 24-yard touchdown.
West Virginia came storming back.
Hawkins scored from seven yards out before Cam Cook added a nine-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 28-28 heading toward the fourth quarter.
Wild fourth quarter turns into shootout
Kyle Konrardy opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a 35-yard field goal to put Iowa State back in front 31-28.
The lead didn’t last.
Cook scored on an eight-yard run to give West Virginia a 35-31 advantage with 7:34 remaining.
Flora needed barely more than a minute to answer.
He ripped off a 63-yard touchdown run, putting the Cyclones back ahead 38-35.
West Virginia responded almost immediately when Hawkins connected with DJ Epps for a 47-yard touchdown, giving the Mountaineers a 42-38 lead with 5:04 remaining.
Iowa State then drove 74 yards in six plays.
Flora carried the ball in from two yards out with 1:57 left, and Konrardy’s extra point made it 45-42. The game’s scoring sequence shows four lead changes in the final eight minutes. 44579
Defense finally delivers the knockout
West Virginia still had time for one final comeback.
The Mountaineers moved toward midfield, but Iowa State finally produced the defensive play it desperately needed.
DJ Epps caught a pass from Hawkins before Brody Miller forced a fumble. Seth Johnson recovered for Iowa State with about 40 seconds remaining, allowing the Cyclones to run out the clock.
It was Miller’s first career forced fumble.
Iowa State’s defense also recovered another West Virginia fumble earlier in the game, allowing the Cyclones to finish plus-one in the turnover battle despite a Raynor interception.
Cyclones pile up 577 yards
Iowa State’s offense produced 577 total yards, including 312 through the air and 265 on the ground.
The 577 yards were the Cyclones’ most since piling up 714 against Louisiana-Monroe in 2019 and their most against a Big 12 opponent since recording 608 against Texas Tech in 2016.
Raynor completed 19 of 27 passes for 264 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Jackson turned in a huge afternoon at receiver, catching six passes for a career-high 160 yards and a touchdown. His 160 receiving yards were the most by an Iowa State player since Jaylin Noel against Kansas in 2024. 2026
Dominic Overby added three catches for 70 yards.
Iowa State held the ball for 38:14 compared with just 21:46 for West Virginia and finished with 29 first downs to the Mountaineers’ 19. 44579
West Virginia still produced 518 yards, including 291 rushing.
Hawkins rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for another 227 yards and two scores. Cook rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Cyclones keep owning West Virginia at home
Iowa State has now beaten West Virginia three consecutive times overall and four straight times at Jack Trice Stadium.
The Cyclones improved to 40-16 at home since 2018 and have won 27 of their last 38 Big 12 games in Ames.
It also marked another productive afternoon for an Iowa State offense that has now rushed for at least 100 yards in 22 consecutive games.
The Cyclones are 22-2 in their last 24 games when scoring at least 30 points.
No. 10 BYU awaits
Iowa State now takes its 3-2 record back on the road for another Big 12 test against No. 10 BYU on Friday, October 9.
Kickoff in Provo is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Central.
The Cyclones will enter that showdown at 1-1 in the Big 12 after escaping one of the wildest games of their season.