Matt Campbell, Iowa State reach new heights after working through 'gut-wrenching' process

AMES, Iowa For a program that hasnt won a conference championship since 1912, waiting past midnight for verification seems like a small sacrifice this year when history is at stake.

No.

18 Iowa State took care of business on the field Saturday night by thwarting No.

24 Kansas State 29-21 in a rivalry now known as Farmageddon.

In winning a school-record 10th game, Iowa State (10-2) faces Arizona State (10-2) next Saturday in Arlington, Texas, for the Big 12 championship and a shot at the College Football Playoff.

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Iowa State for CFP spot With temperatures hovering in the teens and wind chills dipping into single digits at Jack Trice Stadium, the Cyclones survived the elements and persevered.

With 34 seconds left, quarterback Rocco Becht took a knee, and the stands emptied out to the hardened grass field.

Security officers tried to keep fans from the playing surface and roped off a section of the field, but fans streamed toward midfield and mobbed the players.

Sweet Caroline blared from the speakers and fans sang the chorus in unison as partial strands of confetti floated in the breeze.

Its an amazing experience seeing all the joy and passion all these fans and the community have for this team, Iowa State safety Beau Freyler said.

Moments like that, Ill never forget.

Long overlooked and rarely successful, Iowa States football history is so sparse a 10th win is a rightful cause for celebration.

The program had won nine games just three times previously, with the last coming during the COVID season of 2020.

Iowa States last conference title came 112 years ago when the Cyclones went 2-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Advertisement But the Cyclones have shown history doesnt define the present, especially under coach Matt Campbell.

Now in his ninth season and the winningest coach in Iowa State history, Campbell took over a program that had exactly one winning Big 12 campaign in the conferences first 20 years.

Over the last eight seasons, Campbells Cyclones have posted seven winning Big 12 seasons.

The elusive conference crown nearly came to Ames in 2020 with quarterback Brock Purdy , running back Breece Hall and tight end Charlie Kolar .

Iowa State earned its first trip to the Big 12 title game, beat Oklahoma at home during the regular season for the first time since 1960 and posted the best record in regular-season action.

But in a rematch with the Sooners, Oklahoma prevailed 27-21 to deprive Iowa State of its championship.

I would just tell you, Campbell said, I know what its like to win the outright championship on the front end, and then get punched in the gut being 31 yards short in the championship game.

This year brings the same championship chase but a different feel for the Cyclones.

The last time, perhaps Campbell and his team were naive about following up the challenge.

Despite the loss to Oklahoma, the Cyclones won their first major bowl that year in the Fiesta, besting Oregon 34-17.

The following year, most of Iowa States top pieces returned, including Purdy and Hall, but the team slipped to 7-6.

With those talented pieces off to the NFL the following year, Iowa State bottomed out at 4-8 overall and 1-8 in the Big 12.

Once considered the nations hottest coaching prospect, Campbell instead dealt with whispers about his future in Ames.

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In 2023, a gambling investigation wiped out seven starters, including his first-team quarterback, running back, left tackle and tight end.

But when it got tough, thats when Campbell showed he was more than a one-term leader.

Any quality coach can guide an outstanding group of players to heights.

But can that person do it with a completely different group at a developmental program? Thats the difference between good and outstanding.

For the coach, its also perhaps more rewarding.

Advertisement That personally means a great deal, the 45-year-old Campbell told The Athletic after the game.

Its not easy, and every couple years, you may have to take a step back before you take a step forward.

Talk about that 21 season, all of a sudden you lose all these NFL players.

I think it was a great learning lesson for me.

I dont think I did a great job as a head coach in 21, and I think that probably permeated a little bit in 22.

The FG is blocked by @CycloneFB pic.twitter.com/E75sdjB4Re FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 1, 2024 Campbell shook up his staff after the 2022 season by firing offensive coordinator Tom Manning, offensive line coach Jeff Myers and strength coach David Andrews.

In 2023, Campbell found a quarterback in Rocco Becht, who displayed a similar mindset and toughness as Purdy.

They worked through some issues as a team, but they did it collectively with Campbell at the helm.

Those were hard times, and those were tough situations, Campbell said.

I think the reality was that you had to make in 22 was realignment to team and realignment to one culture.

Because at this place, the only chance to be successful is everybodys got to be pulling in the same direction.

There cant be silos in the football program.

Everybodys got to be unified as one.

And it was gut-wrenching at times.

Those tough days paid off for the Cyclones against Kansas State.

Every time the Wildcats responded with a score or a drive, Iowa State pulled ahead.

The Cyclones won in the margins with better field position, nearly 11 minutes more in time of possession and plus-two in turnover margin.

In the frozen temperatures, neither team was successful passing and the Cyclones rushing edge in the second half sealed the win.

It wasnt the prettiest tonight, said Becht, who completed just 13 passes but threw two touchdowns.

But everybodys gonna have those games.

Rocco Becht with a DIME to Jaylin Noel for the TD @Cyclonefb extends its lead pic.twitter.com/BwED9fIbkO FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 1, 2024 Campbells leadership through adversity provided his players with direction, which culminated with another Big 12 title appearance.

Iowa State rarely inks high-level prospects and only once since 2003 have the Cyclones even finished in the top 40 of the 247Sports composite recruiting rankings.

In a saturated region with few readymade football players, development is mandatory to enjoy success at Iowa State.

But thats beyond just physical growth; its molding a message that everyone follows.

Advertisement To his current players, many of whom were with Campbell through the heights of the Purdy-Hall era and the lows of 2022, Campbell stayed true to his principles but also made program tweaks when needed.

Hes the driving force of everything, said sixth-year cornerback Darien Porter , who switched from receiver after three seasons.

The players, all of our coaches, everyone that touches this program, has the most respect for him.

You cant do it without a great head coach and a great leader.

Hes done a lot for this program.

Hes done so much for me, too.

Im forever grateful for him.

Hes a developer of men, receiver Jaylin Noel said.

He does everything in his power to not only make you a great man on the field, but a great man off the field.

He just wants the best out of everybody.

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Iowa time on Sunday, with low-powered stadium lights glowing above Jack Trice Stadium and sprinklers watering the frozen grass, BYU knocked off Houston 30-18 to officially send Iowa State back to the Big 12 title game.

One more step awaits Campbell to reach the ultimate triumph, but he said that wont define how he views this seasons success.

Process-driven from the top down, the coach and his players critiqued their performance objectively, just minutes after receiving hugs and wishes for an achievement previously never accomplished.

I dont think weve played our best game yet, Becht said.

Hopefully were saving that for next week.

(Photo: Reese Strickland / Imagn Images).

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