What Is 2013 Iowa State Cyclones football

Overview

The 2013 Iowa State Cyclones football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference. Led by head coach Paul Rhoads in his fifth season, the team achieved a modest turnaround from previous years, finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2009.

The Cyclones played their home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, and earned a bowl berth for the second consecutive season. Their season concluded with a victory in the Liberty Bowl, marking Iowa State's first bowl win since 2009 and solidifying a 7-6 final record.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 7-6 overall record and a 4-5 mark in Big 12 Conference play.
• Bowl Game: Iowa State defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 21-14 in the Liberty Bowl on January 1, 2014, in Memphis, Tennessee.
• Head Coach: Paul Rhoads led the program in his fifth year, improving his career record at Iowa State to 27-35 by season’s end.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at Jack Trice Stadium, which had a capacity of approximately 61,500.
• Season Start: The Cyclones opened the 2013 season on August 31 with a 24-23 loss to Northern Iowa, an FCS team, which was a major upset.

How It Works

The structure and performance of the 2013 Iowa State Cyclones football team were shaped by coaching decisions, player development, and conference scheduling. Each component contributed to the team’s ability to compete and ultimately secure a bowl victory.

• Offensive System: Iowa State operated out of a pro-style offense, emphasizing balanced run-pass attacks and mid-season quarterback adjustments.
• Defensive Scheme: The defense utilized a 4-3 base formation, relying on aggressive pass rushing from ends like Jake McDonough.
• Quarterback Rotation:Grant Rohan started nine games, throwing for 1,671 yards and 10 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.
• Running Back:Storm Johnson led the ground game with 445 rushing yards and three touchdowns before leaving the team mid-season.
• Wide Receiver:Quenton Bundrage emerged as a key target with 45 receptions for 557 yards and four touchdowns.
• Special Teams: Kicker Wesley Durham converted 13 of 17 field goals, providing reliable scoring in close games.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 Iowa State Cyclones with other Big 12 teams in key statistical categories:

The Cyclones ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in scoring offense but distinguished themselves with a bowl win, something Kansas State and Baylor failed to achieve despite similar records. Their defense held opponents to 26.5 points per game, a slight improvement over 2012, and the Liberty Bowl victory provided momentum for future recruiting.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was significant for Iowa State football due to its rare bowl victory and the program’s continued efforts to build consistency under Paul Rhoads. It demonstrated progress in a historically challenging conference.

• First Bowl Win Since 2009: The Liberty Bowl victory was Iowa State’s first postseason win in four years, boosting morale and fan engagement.
• Recruiting Impact: A winning season and bowl appearance helped attract higher-rated recruits in the 2014 class.
• Player Development: Mid-season quarterback change showed adaptability and growth within the coaching staff.
• Conference Competitiveness: The 4-5 conference record indicated Iowa State could compete with top-tier Big 12 teams.
• Financial Benefit: Bowl game revenue distributed approximately $2.1 million to the athletic department.
• Program Stability: The season reinforced Rhoads’ position as head coach despite earlier criticism.

The 2013 campaign ultimately served as a building block for future seasons, proving that sustained improvement was possible even in a high-scoring, competitive conference like the Big 12.