Game thread: Iowa State football versus No. 15 Utah

Game thread: Iowa State football versus No. 15 Utah

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Game thread: Iowa State football versus No. 15 Utah
Iowa State wide receiver Dominic Overby (11) battles for a few yard as getting tackle by Bowling Green Falcons defensive back Drey Braxton (1) after making a catch during the second quarter on Sept. 19, 2026, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

Date: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026

Time: 2:30 p.m. CDT

Location: MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa

Capacity: 61,500

Line: Utah -7.5

Television: FOX

Play-by-Play: Tim Brando Analyst: Devin Gardner Sideline: Josh Sims

HomeRadio: Cyclone Radio Network

Play-by-Play: John Walters Analyst: Eric Heft Sideline: Ryan Harklau

Away Radio:

Play-by-Play: Bill Riley Analyst: Steven Sylvester Sideline: Zack Moss

Injury report as of Friday at 9 p.m.

Depth chart overview

Offensive Spotlight

Iowa State

  • Quarterback Jaylen Raynor: Has accumulated 544 yards of total offense (434 passing, 110 rushing) and 4 total TDs through three games. Raynor ranks 3rd nationally in active career total offense (10,421 yards) and 5th in passing yards (9,121 yards). He enters the contest having thrown a touchdown pass in 5 consecutive games.
  • Running back Aiden Flora: Leads the Cyclone rushing attack with 328 yards (109.3 yards per game) and 3 rushing TDs on an impressive 8.6 yards per carry. Flora is also a top special teams threat with two career punt return touchdowns.
  • Wide receiver Dominic Overby and Wide receiver Omari Hayes: Overby (100 yards, 25.0 YPC) and Hayes (101 yards, 6 catches) lead a big-play wide receiver room.

Utah

  • Quarterback Devon Dampier: Ranks second in the Big 12 in passing efficiency (178.5), throwing for 690 yards and 7 TDs while adding 114 rushing yards and 2 scores on the ground. Dampier has thrown multiple touchdown passes in 9 straight games dating back to 2025.
  • Running back Wayshawn Parker: Ranks 26th among active FBS players with 1,870 career rushing yards. This season, Parker has 154 rushing yards (3 TDs) and 10 receptions for 89 yards (3 TDs).
  • Wide receiver Braden Pegan: The Utah State transfer leads Utah with 15 receptions for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns, coming off an 8-catch, 122-yard, 2-TD performance against his former team.

Defensive Spotlight

Iowa State

  • Linebacker Sullivan Schlimgen: Paces the defense with 23 total tackles (12 solo), 2.0 TFLs and a sack.
  • Linebacker Carson Willich: Ranks second on the squad with 19 tackles and leads the team with 4.0 tackles for loss.
  • Defensive end Isaac Terrell: Utah native leads the Cyclone pass rush with 3.0 sacks (38 yards lost) and a forced fumble.
  • Safety Drew Surges: Has recorded 10 tackles and holds 4 career forced fumbles, tied for 14th-most among active FBS players.

Utah

  • Linebacker Trey Reynolds: Paces the Ute defense with 16 tackles and an interception, coming off a career-high 10-tackle game against Utah State.
  • SafetyNate Ritchie: Team captain ranks second on the roster with 15 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
  • Defensive tackle Jireh Moe and defensive tackle Karson Kaufusi: Interior anchors who have combined for 14 tackles, 3.5 TFLs and 2.0 sacks through three non-conference wins.
  • Cornerback Elijah Davis and Cornerback James Chenault Jr.: Secondary duo that has surrendered minimal big plays, combining for 6 pass breakups.

Iowa State – Utah Connections

Utah Natives on Iowa State: The Cyclones feature two Utah natives on their roster: defensive end Isaac Terrell (Lehi, Utah) and wide receiver Dominic Overby (West Jordan, Utah).

Family Ute Heritage: Iowa State’s Malaki Ta’ase has deep family ties to Utah—both of his parents were Ute student-athletes. His late father, Tunufa’i Ta’ase, lettered as a defensive end for Utah (1986-87), and his mother, Laurie Ta’ase (Meyer), played volleyball for the Utes.

High School Teammates: Ta’ase and Utah wide receiver Matt Clark were high school teammates at Mountain View HS in Mesa, Arizona. Iowa State backup center Kingston Fotualii and Utah DE Fa Siale played together at O’Dea HS in Seattle, Washington.

Transfer and Coaching Ties: Utah running back Wayshawn Parker played at Washington State alongside several current Cyclones before moving from Pullman to Salt Lake City via the transfer portal in 2025. Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers brought multiple former Washington State players with him to Ames, including Isaac Terrell, Donovan Fitzmaurice, Trevor Bindel and Malaki Ta’ase.

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