What Is 2014 Iowa State Cyclones football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Iowa State Cyclones football team represented Iowa State University in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 2–10 record under head coach Paul Rhoads. They competed in the Big 12 Conference and played home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.

Key Facts

The 2014 Iowa State Cyclones finished the season with a 2–10 overall record and 1–8 in Big 12 play
Head coach Paul Rhoads led the team for his seventh season, with no conference wins in 2014
Quarterback Sam Richardson started most games, throwing for 1,482 yards and 10 touchdowns
The Cyclones played home games at Jack Trice Stadium, which had a capacity of 61,500
Iowa State lost to in-state rival Iowa in the 2014 Cy-Hawk game by a score of 28–27

Overview

The 2014 Iowa State Cyclones football season marked the 116th season of the program, representing Iowa State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Competing in the Big 12 Conference, the team struggled throughout the year, finishing with a 2–10 overall record and 1–8 in conference play.

Under the leadership of head coach Paul Rhoads in his seventh season, the Cyclones faced numerous challenges, including offensive inconsistency and defensive lapses. Despite strong individual performances, the team failed to secure a winning season and did not qualify for a bowl game for the second consecutive year.

Record: The Cyclones finished the season with a 2–10 overall record, their worst since 2000, and just one conference win in Big 12 play.
Head Coach:Paul Rhoads was in his seventh season, maintaining a 33–51 career record at Iowa State by the end of 2014.
Home Stadium: Games were played at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, which had a seating capacity of 61,500 and an artificial turf surface.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Sam Richardson threw for 1,482 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions over 10 games played.
Defensive Standout: Safety Deon Broomfield recorded 76 tackles and 3 interceptions, leading the secondary in a defense that allowed 37.1 points per game.

Season Performance

The 2014 campaign was defined by close losses and missed opportunities, with five of Iowa State’s 10 defeats coming by a margin of seven points or fewer. The team showed flashes of competitiveness but lacked consistency on both sides of the ball.

Season Opener: Iowa State opened with a 21–16 loss to North Dakota State, a FCS team, marking a major early setback.
Big 12 Struggles: The Cyclones managed only one conference win, a 21–14 victory over Kansas in November.
Offensive Output: The team averaged just 18.5 points per game, ranking 114th out of 128 FBS teams in scoring offense.
Defensive Challenges: Iowa State allowed 37.1 points per game, the second-worst in the Big 12 and among the worst nationally.
Cy-Hawk Rivalry: The Cyclones lost to in-state rival University of Iowa 28–27 in a close, back-and-forth game in September.
Bowl Eligibility: With only two wins, Iowa State did not qualify for a bowl game, extending a postseason drought that began in 2012.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2014 Iowa State Cyclones compared to other Big 12 teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed
Iowa State	2–10	1–8	18.5	37.1
Baylor	7–5	4–5	45.2	29.8
TCU	10–3	7–2	40.1	19.5
Oklahoma	8–5	5–4	37.5	27.6
Kansas	2–10	1–8	16.3	36.9

The Cyclones were statistically near the bottom of the Big 12 in both scoring and defense. While they shared a similar record with Kansas, Iowa State allowed more points per game despite slightly better offensive production. TCU and Baylor, by contrast, showcased high-powered offenses and strong defenses, highlighting the conference’s growing competitiveness.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a pivotal moment for Iowa State football, underscoring the challenges of competing in a strengthening Big 12 Conference. It sparked discussions about program direction, coaching stability, and recruiting strategies.

Program Evaluation: The poor record intensified scrutiny on head coach Paul Rhoads, who faced growing pressure to improve results.
Recruiting Impact: A losing season made it harder to attract top-tier recruits, especially compared to rising programs like TCU and Baylor.
Stadium Atmosphere: Attendance at Jack Trice Stadium dipped, averaging around 55,000 per game, down from previous years.
Financial Implications: Missing a bowl game meant lost revenue, affecting budgets for scholarships and facilities upgrades.
Player Development: Young players like quarterback Grant Mahoney gained experience, setting the foundation for future seasons.
Conference Parity: The season highlighted the growing gap between top and bottom teams in the Big 12, emphasizing the need for strategic investment.

The 2014 season ultimately served as a low point that prompted long-term changes in coaching and recruiting approaches, laying the groundwork for modest improvements in subsequent years.