AMES – A massive edible Pop-Tart and a large trophy with a built-in toaster weren’t exactly the postseason rewards Iowa State football may have envisioned at the start of the year, but there’s no doubt that a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory will be a sweet way to end a historic 2024 campaign.
The last time Iowa State took the field, it suffered a lopsided loss to Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 7. Shortly after the game, as seniors Myles Purchase, J.R. Singleton and Jaylin Noel fielded their final question of the postgame press conference, they all vowed to play in whatever bowl game the Cyclones would participate in against whatever opponent that would come their way. They hoped to make the most out of one final opportunity to wear the Iowa State uniform in competition and try to help the Cyclones finish the season at a program-best 11-3 record.
A bowl game win would be big, too. Iowa State has played in 18 other bowl games over the years, since making its first postseason appearance in the 1971 Sun Bowl, and it has only five bowl victories.
In the days since the Big 12 title game, it appears those three players and the rest of the senior class have kept that promise to play. Barring injury, there are no reported opt-outs, as of Thursday.
Iowa State wasn’t completely immune to the transfer portal craze, but the nine players who entered the portal were reserves. The Cyclones’ key players and seniors are ready to hit the gridiron one last time this season.
“This day and age, it’s hard to find that, but again, we’ve got to also realize this day and age all those guys – we’ve had some great players that have chosen not to play, you understand that too and that’s been in our past,” head coach Matt Campbell said. “You get it, you understand, especially the world we live in, what their options are moving forward. You respect all those decisions, but what’s made this team really special is team and I think one of the things I really appreciate about it is when Jaylin Noel stands up and says, ‘Hey, we’re going to do everything in our power to be our best in our last football game,’ and I think that’s really powerful.”
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It might not have been a question a decade ago, but in recent times bowl-game participation isn’t a guarantee. However, for the Cyclones, the concept of “team” has been more than a buzzword or a slogan plastered across t-shirts and sweatshirts.
Opting out was never truly an option. No one is looking to get a head start to the NFL Draft process or offseason work. Missing the College Football Playoff didn’t place any doubt in players’ minds either.
“That’s just how we roll,” said cornerback Jontez Williams. “We come to work each and every day, and each game is an opportunity to go out there and play as hard as you can.”
There are other teams across the college football landscape that weren’t as fortunate to have such roster retention or bowl-game participation. According to ESPN, nearly 2,000 FBS-level players entered the transfer portal in the first week that it opened. Fellow Big 12 teams Arizona (26 outgoing transfers) and Utah (18 outgoing transfers) were among the hardest-hit power-conference teams.
Marshall was forced to withdraw from the Independence Bowl against Army after seeing 27 players leave for the transfer portal.
“It just shows that our kids care and our kids are competitive and they want to go win,” offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said. “And they love to play football. … They like to go out there at practice. They like to work hard. They like to be in the meetings. We have more fun in our position meetings in any room, any team in the country. … I think our guys aren’t excited to start the offseason, because it’s been such a special season here. There’s one more chance to go out there.”
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On the opposing sideline, outside of a few players transferring out, Miami will be playing its usual starters as well. Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward announced his intent to play, and it appears a lot of the Hurricanes’ marquee names will follow suit.
“It makes the game better,” Noel said. “Obviously guys want to compete, go out there, compete and it makes the bowl game fun. Kudos to Cam Ward, he could easily sit out and say he didn’t want to play in this game because he’s going to be a first-round draft pick, but a guy like that, when you’re competitive, you’re going to want to play.”
USA TODAY’s Eddie Timanus ranked the Pop-Tarts Bowl as the best non-playoff bowl game of 2024, as long as “the key contributors take part, notably Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, this could be great fun.”
With the way both rosters are shaping up, get the popcorn and Pop-Tarts ready.
“Everybody’s hungry for another win and just to get that 11th win and go out with momentum,” Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht said. “It’s just a love for football. If you love the game of football, you want to play for your brothers and your team.”
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
