What Is 2015 Iowa State Cyclones football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Iowa State Cyclones football team finished with a 3–9 record under head coach Paul Rhoads, playing their home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. They competed in the Big 12 Conference and scored an average of 19.6 points per game.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 3–9 overall record
Paul Rhoads was head coach until December 2015
Scored 235 total points across 12 games
Played home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames
Big 12 Conference opponents included Oklahoma and TCU

Overview

The 2015 Iowa State Cyclones football team represented Iowa State University in the NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Big 12 Conference, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3–9 overall record and a 2–7 mark in conference play.

Under the leadership of head coach Paul Rhoads, who coached his final season with the Cyclones that year, the team faced challenges on both offense and defense. Despite a few strong performances, the Cyclones failed to qualify for a bowl game for the fifth consecutive season.

Record: The team finished the season with a 3–9 overall record, their worst since 2009, highlighting struggles in both offense and defense.
Head Coach: Paul Rhoads led the team for seven seasons but was dismissed in November 2015 after a string of losing records, including the 2015 campaign.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, which has a capacity of approximately 61,500 fans.
Scoring Average: The Cyclones averaged 19.6 points per game, totaling 235 points across 12 games, ranking near the bottom of the Big 12.
Key Loss: A 45–21 defeat to No. 4 TCU in October exemplified defensive struggles, as the Horned Frogs rushed for over 300 yards.

Season Performance

The 2015 campaign was marked by offensive inconsistency and defensive breakdowns, particularly against high-powered Big 12 opponents. While the team showed flashes of competitiveness, turnovers and penalties often derailed momentum.

Offensive Struggles: The Cyclones averaged only 312.7 total yards per game, with quarterback Joel Lanning throwing for 1,178 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Defensive Issues: Allowed an average of 35.8 points per game, the worst in the Big 12, and ranked 119th nationally in total defense.
Winning Streak: Secured three wins: against ULM (31–14), Kansas (34–14), and Texas (24–0), with the Texas shutout being a rare highlight.
Turnovers: Committed 23 turnovers during the season, including 14 interceptions, which frequently led to opponent scoring opportunities.
Special Teams: Punter Ryan Schedler averaged 42.8 yards per punt, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.
Injuries: Key players like running back Aaron Wimberly missed significant time due to injury, weakening an already limited offensive attack.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2015 Cyclones stacked up against other Big 12 teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed	Final Ranking
Iowa State	3–9	19.6	35.8	NR
Baylor	6–7	34.2	26.5	NR
TCU	11–2	37.8	18.2	No. 7 (CFP)
Oklahoma	11–2	41.6	22.1	No. 4 (CFP)
Kansas	3–9	18.9	35.1	NR

The table illustrates that while Iowa State and Kansas had similar records, the Cyclones slightly outperformed the Jayhawks in scoring but allowed more points per game. Compared to elite teams like TCU and Oklahoma, Iowa State lagged significantly in both offensive production and defensive efficiency. This gap underscored the program’s challenges in competing at the top tier of the Big 12, especially as other teams invested heavily in quarterback development and defensive schemes.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a turning point for Iowa State football, leading to significant changes in leadership and program direction. The poor performance accelerated the decision to replace Paul Rhoads, paving the way for new coaching hires aimed at long-term improvement.

Coaching Change: Paul Rhoads was fired in November 2015, ending a seven-year tenure with a 32–48 overall record at Iowa State.
Program Rebuilding: The 2015 season highlighted the need for a cultural and strategic overhaul, leading to the hiring of Matt Campbell in 2016.
Recruiting Impact: Continued losing seasons made recruiting more difficult, especially against powerhouse programs in the conference.
Fan Engagement: Attendance at Jack Trice Stadium declined slightly, reflecting fan frustration with on-field performance.
Financial Implications: Missing a bowl game meant lost revenue from payouts, media exposure, and merchandise sales.
Historical Context: The season was part of a 13-year stretch (2001–2013) without a bowl appearance, emphasizing the need for change.

The 2015 season ultimately served as a catalyst for transformation, setting the stage for future improvements under new leadership and marking the end of an era for Cyclones football.