Wide Right & Natty Lite
Covering Iowa State athletics with enough humor to keep our sanity.
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2026 Game VIII: Iowa State versus No. 24 Oklahoma State preview
Iowa State returns home in all‑black Halloween uniforms to face No. 24 Oklahoma State on Oct. 30, 2026. The Cowboys, 5‑2 under first‑year coach Eric Morris, ride sophomore transfer quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who’s posted a 65.7% completion rate, 2,326 passing yards, 20 TDs and only six interceptions in seven games—a passer rating of 170.0. Iowa State must bounce back from a recent blowout in Tucson, tighten a leaky defense, and get key players like Flora, Raynor and the receiving corps on track. A win is crucial as the Cyclones need three more victories to stay bowl‑eligible.
Meet the team: Evangelia Paulk
Iowa State women’s basketball forward Evangelia Paulk returns from an elbow injury to assume a leadership role for the Cyclones. After a breakout sophomore season at Wofford—where she earned SoCon Player of the Year with 12.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 42 three‑pointers—Paulk posted 14 steals in 13 Big 12 games last year, anchoring the defense with her 6‑foot frame and lateral quickness. Coach Bill Fennelly expects her to start or come off the bench to shut down opponents, secure rebounds, and stretch the floor with perimeter shooting, feeding teammates like Xiao “Smyle” Zhang, Gift Ezekiel and Tjaša Turnšek. Her experience and defensive mindset will be key as the Cyclones aim for a stronger conference run in 2026‑27.
Meet the team: Ashleigh Connor
Redshirt senior Ashleigh Connor is set to take the reins at point guard for Iowa State women's basketball. After two seasons as La Salle's starting PG, where she led in points, assists and ranked second in conference free‑throw makes (148), Connor brings veteran leadership to a roster that lacks experience. Standing 5‑11, she averages 2.0 steals per game and boasts a 35% three‑point rate this past season. Expected healthy for the season opener on Nov. 2 against Grambling State, she could also slide into a shooting‑guard role alongside Sienna Harvey and Macy Comitto. In what will be her final collegiate year, Connor aims to help Bill Fennelly's Cyclones win as many games as possible.
Meet the team: Jamarion Batemon
During Big 12 Media Days, Iowa State’s Jamarion Batemon discusses his role on a Cyclone squad that lost key three‑point shooters. The Milwaukee native, a bench spark plug last season, shot 37% from beyond the arc (two‑thirds of his attempts) and dropped a career‑high 26 points versus Alcorn State, but struggled in the NCAA tournament (3‑15 from deep). He logged 21 steals despite limited minutes and now eyeing more playing time with Milan Momcilovic’s departure and Killyan Toure’s return from injury. Coach Otzelberger plans to keep Batemon as the team’s primary shooter while leveraging his defensive hustle.
Meet the team: Gift Ezekiel
Florida transfer Gift Ezekiel, a 6‑2 forward, joins Iowa State women's basketball for the 2026‑27 season after a bench role at Florida where she logged 8.1 minutes per game. With the Cyclones' roster stacked with guards and only a few players above six feet, Ezekian’s interior size and experience—including two years at Tokyo Healthcare University and a power‑conference season—should earn her a bigger role. Expect her to contribute post moves, pick‑and‑roll action and aim for around five points and four rebounds per game, complementing starter Xiao “Smyle” Zhang and offering depth alongside Tjaša Turnšek.
Cyclones blanked by No. 20 Cougars
Iowa State fell 3-0 to No. 20 BYU on Oct. 27 at the Cyclone Sports Complex, extending its Big 12 skid to 0-7-2. BYU dominated with 24 shots (11 on goal) and controlled the tempo, scoring in the 25th (Avery Frischknecht), 75th (Presley Freeman) and 76th minutes (Mattyn Summers‑Oviatt). Cyclone keeper Eme McClenahan made seven saves, but the Cyclones could only summon one chance, a low strike by Alaina Villa saved by BYU’s Chelsea Peterson. A yellow card goes to Iowa State’s Mia Sowders. The loss leaves ISU at 4‑9‑4 overall as they eye the final two conference games.
Meet the team: Dominykas Pleta
Iowa State forward Dominykas Pleta enters his sophomore season poised for a larger role after averaging 4.4 points and 2.3 rebounds as a freshman. At 6‑11, he combines size with lateral speed, fitting T.J. Otzelberger’s defensive scheme, and excels on the offensive glass—recording 45 offensive versus 34 defensive rebounds last season. With the departure of Joshua Jefferson, Pleta may see increased minutes alongside fellow big Blake Buchanan, providing pick‑setting, lob‑threats and second‑chance points. Though not expected to be a primary 15‑point scorer, his dunking ability and rebounding make him a key piece in the Cyclones’ game plan for 2026‑27.
Meet the team: Reggi Spotts
Iowa State freshman guard Reggi Spotts (22) flips her commitment from Northern Illinois after a single phone call, citing the Cyclones as her "dream school" just 1.5 hours from home. The Mason City standout spent two seasons at NIACC, where she averaged 18.8 points, led her team in assists and earned six ICCAC Division‑II Player‑of‑the‑Week honors. At 5‑8, Spotts is the shortest Cyclone but brings a 35% three‑point clip and a high‑energy approach. Coach Bill Fennelly plans to rotate all 13 players, using Spotts on the perimeter alongside a committee‑style point guard lineup and linking up with transfers Alex‑Anne Bessette and center Xiao “Smyle” Zhang. Her adjustment to Division I speed will determine her role in Iowa State’s fast‑paced, aggressive Big 12 campaign.
Iowa State volleyball falls in four
Iowa State fell to Houston 3-1 in a Big 12 volleyball clash on Oct. 25, dropping the match 25-21, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20. Cyclone freshman Mesaiya Bettis recorded a career‑high 23 kills on .436 hitting, while Alea Goolsby added 12. Rachel Van Gorp led the defense with 21 digs, her seventh 20‑plus dig game this season. Despite a 3‑0 start in the first set and saving four match points in the fourth, the Cyclones couldn’t finish, leaving them 12‑8 overall (6‑3 Big 12) and setting up home games against West Virginia and No. 17 Kansas.
Prather’s 25 paces Cyclones in exhibition blowout of Northwestern
Ryan Prather Jr. ignites Iowa State off the bench with 25 points on 7‑of‑8 shooting, leading the Cyclones to a 94‑59 blowout of Northwestern at Welsh‑Ryan Arena on Oct. 25, 2026. Prather’s six three‑pointers and perfect free‑throw record spark a bench that outscores the Wildcats’ reserves 45‑8, while Iowa State’s pressure defense holds Northwestern to 18 first‑half points on 19% shooting. Tamin Lipsey and Dominykas Pleta add 14 each, and Blake Buchanan grabs 10 rebounds. The Cyclones improve to 45‑31 rebounding and dominate the paint and fast‑break scoring. Next up, Iowa State meets Memphis at the Sanford Pentagon.
Photos: Iowa State football versus No. 25 Arizona
Photos: Iowa State football versus No. 25 Arizona
Exhibition Game Thread: No. 18/14 Iowa State at Northwestern
Iowa State (No. 18/14) wraps its preseason at Northwestern's Welsh‑Ryan Arena on Oct. 25, 2026, after a narrow 83‑80 loss to Creighton. Both teams, coming off exhibition defeats (Northwestern fell 70‑64 to Illinois State), use the game for defensive tweaks before the regular season. Coach T.J. Otzelberger (6th year) and Coach Chris Collins (14th year) aim to set final rotations. Key storylines include veteran guard Tamin Lipsey, who missed the Creighton game, and the return of sophomore forward Tre Singleton, a former Northwestern starter. Northwestern relies on guard Jake West and forward Angelo Ciaravino for scoring.
No. 25 Wildcats claw Cyclones
Arizona Wildcats steamroll No. 25 Iowa State Cyclones 39-3 at Tucson’s Casino Del Sol Stadium on Oct. 24, 2026. Quarterback Noah Fifita throws for 308 yards and two TDs, including a 71‑yard strike to Isaiah Mizell, while the Wildcats amass 477 total yards. Iowa State quarterbacks Jaylen Raylon and Connor Moberly combine for 169 yards, with Raylon finishing 8‑of‑10 for 106 yards and a 40‑yard field goal as the Cyclones’ lone score. The Cyclones manage just 221 yards, 14 first downs and no touchdowns. Key performances: Arizona’s Quincy Craig (TD run) and backup Sawyer Anderson (late TD run); Iowa State’s linebacker Sullivan Schlimgen leads with 15 tackles. The loss drops ISU to 3‑4 overall, 1‑3 in the Big 12.
Game thread: Iowa State football versus No. 25 Arizona
Iowa State (3-3) heads to Tucson to face No. 25 Arizona on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. CDT. The Cyclones bring a 23‑game 100‑yard rushing streak led by AP Midseason All‑American Aiden Flora (680 yards, 7.56 ypc, a unique rushing, passing and punt‑return TD) and QB Jaylen Raynor (1,001 passing yards, 3 TDs). Arizona counters with record‑holding QB Noah Fifita (1,756 yards, 16 TDs this season) and top receiver Isaiah Mizell (359 yards, 4 TDs). Both teams list multiple injuries; Iowa State is missing five starters, Arizona six. The game tips Arizona by 1.5 points, with TV on 11.5. Defensive standouts include Iowa’s Sullivan Schlimgen (56 tackles) and Arizona’s Cam Chapa (career‑high 15 tackles).
Meet the team: Alex-Anne Bessette
Iowa State welcomes transfer guard/forward Alex‑Anne Bessette, a 6‑2, 9‑9 Loyola star, as a Day‑1 starter. Bessette led Loyola in scoring, posting double‑figures in 19 games and five 20‑point outings, while averaging nearly four three‑point attempts per game (26.4% shooting). Her size adds depth to a undersized Cyclone frontcourt, and she topped Loyola with 0.9 blocks per game. Expect her to run pick‑and‑rolls, drive to the basket and provide a reliable scoring option when shots falter. With four years of eligibility under the new 5‑for‑5 rule, she could become one of Iowa State’s most impactful transfers.
Meet the team: Anthony Rise
Anthony Rise, the Iowa State Cyclones' #7, is featured after the team’s 2026 NCAA Tournament first‑round win over Tennessee State (March 20, 2026, Enterprise Center, St. Louis). While Rise’s on‑court contributions have been limited—a single made shot versus Colorado and two rebounds versus TCU—he serves as the quintessential energy‑boosting bench player. The piece highlights his role in fostering locker‑room chemistry, comparing him to former Cyclone “Chief Energy Officer” Conrad Hawley. Rise, a former Division II player at Northern Michigan who chose to walk on for coach TJ Otzelburger, exemplifies the cultural impact of the last man on the bench.
2026 Game VII: Iowa State versus No. 25 Arizona preview
Iowa State heads to Tucson on Oct. 23 for a Homecoming showdown against No. 25 Arizona at Casino Del Sol Stadium. The Wildcats, 5‑1 under third‑year coach Brent Brennan, average 35.7 points and rely on senior quarterback Noah Fifita, who’s 73.3% complete for 1,756 yards, 16 TDs and only four picks in six games. Arizona’s ground game is led by Kedrick Reescano (262 yards, four TDs) while wideout Tre Spivey is out for the season. Cyclones hope a healthy defensive lineman Crawford will blunt Fifita’s efficiency, while quarterback Raynor must find a new top receiver after Overby’s injury. A win would give Iowa State its first ranked victory of the Jimmy Rogers era and keep bowl hopes alive.
Cyclones drop third straight match
Iowa State fell 1-0 to Big 12 rival Kansas State on Thursday night at the Cyclone Sports Complex, extending its losing streak to three matches. Rilyn Rintoul scored in the 24th minute off an assist from substitute Adelle Francis, while Kansas keeper Maddie Sibbing made three saves for a clean sheet. Cyclone forward Megan Walters (5) and defender Breezie Brewer (four shots) led a possession‑heavy display (53% control) but goalkeeper Eme McClenahan faced 14 shots, stopping 12. The game featured 17 fouls, yellow cards for Danica Lunceford and Allison Charleston, and drew a crowd of 268.
Previewing the Arizona matchup with Arizona Desert Swarm
Arizona enters the Iowa State showdown with a 5-1 record (2-1 Big 12), its best six‑game start since 2014. Head coach Brent Brennan, now in his third season, has turned a 4‑8 debut into a nine‑win campaign, earning a contract extension and a national ranking. Quarterback Noah Fifita leads the Wildcats as the all‑time passing yards (10,939) and TD (89) record holder, boasting a 73.3% completion rate despite key receiver injuries. Backup Isaiah Mizell exploded for 183 yards and two scores against West Virginia, and a deep receiving corps—including Brandon Phelps, freshman Caleb Smith, and veteran Rodney Gallagher—offers depth. Arizona ranks fourth nationally in 3rd‑down conversions (55.6%) and red‑zone defense (64.7%), thanks to Fifita’s mobility, a strong run game, and a versatile pass rush that generated 3.17 sacks per game from 15 different players.
Meet the team: Emilija Dakic
Florida Gators guard Emilija Dakic (7) transfers to Iowa State, arriving in Ames after a bench role in a 5‑11 ACC season and a gold‑medal run with Australia’s U‑18 team at the 2024 Asia Cup. Standing 5‑10, she averaged 7‑15 minutes per game and posted a season‑high 10 points versus South Carolina. Familiarity with teammates Sienna Harvey, Gift Ezikiel and coach Bill Fennelly could speed her integration. While her exact minutes remain uncertain, Dakic is positioned to contribute 10 high‑intensity minutes as a depth piece for the Cyclones’ fast‑paced, guard‑heavy roster this season.
Meet the team: Tre Singleton
Iowa State welcomes transfer forward Tre Singleton, a highly touted addition after the departures of Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic. Singleton, who started 31 of 34 games at Northwestern, is expected to see immediate minutes and likely a starting role in T.J. Otzelburger’s more physical lineup. Known for strong defensive instincts, he also offers versatility on offense—clean passing, drives, and occasional mid‑range shots—highlighted by a 12‑point, 4‑assist, 3‑rebound performance with two blocks and steals in the Creighton exhibition. His biggest area for growth is three‑point shooting, currently a 16.7% clip, but his all‑around game could make him a reliable scorer and playmaker for the Cyclones this season.
Meet the 2026-27 MBB and WBB teams
The October 20, 2026 post from Wide Right & Natty Lite spotlights Iowa State’s 2026‑27 men’s and women’s basketball rosters. Featuring a close‑up of a Nike‑branded ball with the I‑State logo taken at the Sukup Basketball Complex on Oct. 14, the article introduces ten athletes—including Alex‑Anne Bessette, Anthony Rise, Emilija Dakic, Tre Singleton, Freya Jensen, Sienna Harvey, Dorian Rinaldo‑Komlan, Tjaša Turnšek, Yusef Gray Jr., and Macy Comito—providing a quick preview of the upcoming season’s talent.
Meet the team: Freya Jensen
Danish guard Freya Jensen returns to Iowa State women's basketball as one of only three players who stayed after the 2025‑26 season. Though she saw limited minutes last year, Jensen brings leadership for a roster full of newcomers to Bill Fennelly’s system. At 18, she averaged 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists for Aabyhoj IF in Denmark, offering speed and three‑point shooting off the bench. While her on‑court role may stay modest, her energy and mentorship could help the young Cyclones gel quickly in the upcoming campaign.
How former Cyclones performed in Week 6 of the NFL
Nine ex‑Iowa Cyclones saw action in Week 6 of the NFL, combining for 420 snaps across offense, defense and special teams. Highlights include Jaylin Noel’s career‑best 107 receiving yards and a TD for the Houston Texans, Xavier Hutchinson’s two catches and 52 kickoff return yards in the Texans’ 34‑31 win over Jacksonville, and Brock Purdy’s 264‑yard, one‑TD performance in San Francisco’s 23‑17 victory over Washington. Defensive contributions feature Denver’s Eyioma Uwazurike with four tackles and New York Jets’ Will McDonald IV adding a tackle and QB hit. Injuries sidelined Breece Hall, Jake Hummel, David Montgomery and TJ Tampa.
Q&A Recap: Jared Benko’s introductory press conference
Iowa State introduced its 15th athletic director, Jared Benko, at a press conference on Oct. 19, 2026, where university president David Cook presented him with a Cyclones jersey. Benko, a University of Georgia alum with experience at Georgia Southern, Auburn and SEC programs, will assume the role on Oct. 30 pending board approval. He highlighted the Cyclones’ strong fan base—averaging over 50,000 at football games and sizable basketball crowds—and praised the department’s fiscal management and facility investments. Benko emphasizes his finance‑focused background and a collaborative vision to push Iowa State athletics to new heights.
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