AMES — Aiden Flora’s breakout performance against West Virginia has turned into a national awards sweep.
The Iowa State redshirt sophomore was named the Maxwell National Player of the Week on Wednesday, adding another major honor after his five-touchdown explosion in the Cyclones’ 45-42 win over the Mountaineers.
Flora has now collected six weekly honors stemming from that performance.
On Monday, he was named the AP National Player of the Week and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week.
On Tuesday, Flora added the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week and Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week honors.
Wednesday brought the Maxwell National Player of the Week award.
Five touchdowns fuel national recognition
Flora produced the best game of his Iowa State career against West Virginia.
He rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns while also completing both of his pass attempts for 48 yards and two touchdowns.
His five touchdowns accounted for were the most by any running back in a game nationally this season.
Flora became the ninth FBS player since 1996 — and the first from the Big 12 — to record two passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and at least 200 rushing yards in the same game.
He is also the first non-quarterback to accomplish the feat.
NIT previously covered Flora’s remarkable afternoon in Iowa State’s 45-42 Big 12 victory over West Virginia.
One of the Big 12’s most dangerous runners
Flora now owns the two best rushing performances in the Big 12 this season.
He ran for 212 yards against West Virginia after previously piling up 194 yards against Bowling Green.
He is one of only two FBS players this season with multiple games of at least 190 rushing yards.
His 212-yard performance against West Virginia ranks as the sixth-highest rushing total by an FBS player this season.
Flora is averaging 8.1 yards per carry, the best mark in the Big 12 and third-best nationally.
He has rushed for 594 yards this season, ranking seventh nationally and second in the conference.
Big plays becoming a habit
Flora’s 63-yard touchdown run against West Virginia was the longest rushing score of his career.
He now has three rushing touchdowns of at least 40 yards this season, covering 63, 61 and 42 yards.
His versatility has also produced five scoring plays of 40 yards or more, including a 46-yard touchdown pass and a 66-yard punt return.
Flora is averaging 157 all-purpose yards per game, which leads the Big 12 and ranks fourth nationally.
He has also recorded at least 100 all-purpose yards in three consecutive games.
Former high school quarterback flashes his arm
The Adel native also showed off the passing ability he used as a high school quarterback.
Flora threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Cody Jackson against West Virginia before later connecting with his former high school teammate Vince Benetti for a two-yard touchdown.
That made Flora only the second running back in Big 12 history to throw two touchdown passes in a game, joining Nebraska’s Rex Burkhead in 2010.
The 46-yard touchdown to Jackson was the first touchdown pass by an Iowa State running back since 2009 and the first by a Cyclone non-quarterback since 2021.
Walk-on turned scholarship standout
Flora joined Iowa State as a walk-on in 2024.
Head coach Jimmy Rogers placed him on scholarship before the 2026 season, and Flora has quickly emerged as one of the most versatile offensive weapons in college football.
He is only the third player in Big 12 history, and the first since 2017, to record a passing touchdown, rushing touchdown and punt-return touchdown in the same season.
Flora also has two career punt-return touchdowns, and his four career punt returns of at least 50 yards are the most among active FBS players.
Awards keep piling up
Flora’s 2026 weekly honors now include:
- Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll after the Bowling Green game
- Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week after Bowling Green
- AP National Player of the Week after West Virginia
- Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
- Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week
- Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week
- Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week
- Maxwell National Player of the Week
BYU next for Cyclones
Iowa State returns to action Friday with a road game at BYU.
Kickoff is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Central on ESPN.
Flora will enter the matchup as one of the hottest offensive players in the country after turning one unforgettable Saturday into a week-long collection of national honors.