TicketsAMES, Iowa — Iowa State scored 28 unanswered points across the first and second quarters to build a 28-7 advantage that proved too difficult for Cincinnati to overcome, as the Bearcats fell 41-13 on Saturday afternoon at Jack Trice Stadium.
Cincinnati dropped to 5-5 overall and 2-5 in the Big 12, while Iowa State improved to 5-5 and 3-4 in league play.
Iowa State running back Aiden Flora rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries in the opening 15 minutes alone to lift the Cyclones to a 21-7 lead. Flora also completed a 37-yard pass on the first play of the second quarter to put the score at 28-7.
The Bearcats were unable to climb out of the early deficit despite another strong performance from running back Cole Tabb, who recorded his fifth 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Tabb totaled 165 yards on 16 carries and added a career-best eight receptions for 70 yards. The Fort Walton Beach, Fla. native is now just 23 yards away from a 1,000-yard season.
Quarterback JC French IV got UC on the board with a touchdown pass to tight end Lyviel Waters just 89 seconds into the game, and French also caught a touchdown late in the first half. Wide receiver Malachi Henry's TD toss capped a successful trick play just before halftime.
The Bearcats kept Iowa State out of the end zone from the 14:49 mark of the second quarter until the final minutes of the fourth quarter, but could only muster one scoring drive themselves in the meantime.
First quarter
The Bearcats jumped out of the gates early as running back Cole Tabb broke free for his longest rush of the season, a 66-yarder on the second play from scrimmage, to set up quarterback JC French IV’s 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lyviel Waters for a 7-0 lead.
Iowa State answered on the ensuing possession, capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run by running back Aiden Flora to tie the game at 7-7.
Following a Cincinnati punt, Iowa State needed just two plays to cover 81 yards as Flora broke free up the middle for a 77-yard touchdown run—his second score of the opening quarter—with 7:47 remaining, putting the Cyclones ahead 14-7.
After Cincinnati failed to convert a fourth-and-1 from midfield when French slipped on a designed quarterback keeper, Iowa State capitalized on the short field. Facing fourth-and-3 from the Cincinnati 42, Flora lined up at quarterback and connected with tight end Vince Benetti for a 37-yard gain to the 5 before punching it in up the middle on the next play, his third score of the opening quarter, with 2:34 left to make it 21-7.
Second quarter
Iowa State wasted no time extending its lead on the first play of the second quarter as quarterback Jaylen Raynor connected with wide receiver Cameron Pettaway on a 70-yard touchdown screen, stretching the advantage to 28-7.
Cincinnati answered late in the half with a dose of trickery as wide receiver Malachi Henry connected with French on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 2:13 remaining in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 31-13 as the extra point was no good.
Third quarter
The Bearcats put together a drive into Cyclones territory, but French fumbled as he attempted a pass and Iowa State recovered. The third quarter was scoreless for both teams.
Fourth quarter
Cincinnati fumbled near midfield early in the fourth quarter, which set up another Iowa State scoring drive. Kicker Kyle Konrardy knocked through a 24-yard field goal to cap a long drive and make it 34-13. Arnold Barnes ran past the UC defense for a 32-yard touchdown with 1:40 to go to make it 41-13.
UP NEXT
Cincinnati returns home for its 2026 home finale, hosting the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday, November 21 at Nippert Stadium at Noon ET on ESPN+.