Cyclones show maturity in 5-0 start

AMES — There was no panic when Iowa State fell behind 13-0 at Iowa. The lackluster start in Houston didn't let anyone lose their nerve.

So a 14-3 home deficit against a struggling Baylor team did little to rattle the Cyclones on Saturday. At most it would have provoked a yawn.

The Cyclones don't seem to rattle.

Iowa State's undefeated march to start the season continued with a 43-21 victory over the Bears, improving to 5-0 for the first time since 1980.

We're talking about the Carter administration. We're talking chart-topping Captain & Tenille, Bette Midler and Olivia Newton-John. We're talking “Dallas” and “M*A*S*H” dominating the airwaves.

It's been so long since Iowa State football got off to such a good start.

Of course, there is plenty of talent to make this possible for the Cyclones. You can't get to 5-0 without really good players. But it's more than just talent. It's the courage, maturity and calmness with which this team plays, no matter the circumstances.

These Cyclones don't rattle.

They didn't let up as Baylor (2-4, 0-3) gained 84 yards in under 3 minutes and scored a touchdown on their first drive of the game. They didn't falter as the Bears followed up with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on their next possession.

When Rocco Becht threw a terrible interception to end the half and then Baylor scored on the first drive of the second half to retake the lead, Iowa State remained unfazed.

These Cyclones don't rattle.

Even when injuries forced the Cyclones to play players who might have been outside of their top-10 linebackers this spring, the Cyclones persevered. When top defensive tackles Dom Orange and JR Singleton were temporarily sidelined with injuries, the Cyclones remained resolute.

Sure, Baylor isn't the Baylor that won the Big 12 three years ago, and the Bears are certainly moving further away from that program every week, but they came onto the field at Jack Trice Stadium as a team with something to prove . Probably mostly for yourself.

When that first blow landed right in front of the Cyclones' jaws, they could have staggered.

But these Cyclones don't rattle.

Coach Matt Campbell's team has shown remarkable maturity throughout the season, especially considering this team is still relatively young. They are moderately successful and there are only a few players left who have even won a bowl at Iowa State (Fiesta Bowl 2020).

And yet, despite all odds, they remain cool, calm and capable. In all the tumult. In difficult times.

There are many reasons for Iowa State's start to the season, but the Cyclones' resilience remains at the top of the list. They haven't found a place bad enough to stop yet. They've never encountered a situation that they couldn't just shake off.

If anyone takes a look at this result on Sunday morning, it looks like an Iowa State bust. A top 25 player crushing an unranked opponent at home. A completely normal blast.

But everyone watching knows the truth.

These Cyclones don't rattle, but they certainly move.

Iowa State columnist Travis Hines has covered the Cyclones for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune since 2012. Contact him at [email protected] or (515) 284-8000. FFollow him on X at @TravisHines21.

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