AMES, Iowa — Iowa State's 20-0 win over Houston was their first shutout since 2020 and first conference road shutout since 1971. While the offense didn't exactly light up the scoreboard, they didn't need to thanks to their defense.
The Cyclones held Houston to under 250 yards of total offense, forced three turnovers and ultimately kept the Cougars off the scoreboard, giving the offense the breathing room they needed to eventually find their rhythm.
"We have an explosive offense, so when they're not scoring or when they're not moving the ball, we don't really get worried about it, because we know they're going to go," said senior defensive lineman J.R. Singleton. "We want to be the best defense in the Big 12 at the end of the season. So, to be the best defense in the Big 12, you have to come out every week no matter what the offense is doing."
The defense is allowing just 7.3 points per game, which leads the Big 12 and ranks fourth in the nation. They've also held opposing offenses to just 255 total yards, which also leads the Big 12 and ranks 11th nationally.
The players say their success this season stems from how connected they are as a unit.
"Relationships are everything," said junior defensive back Jeremiah Cooper. "So, if you have that relationship with somebody, you just have that mind and you can just click together. If you do something wrong, you can talk to them as a friend, as a brother, and correct that. So, I feel like that's what we got, and I feel like that's what the whole team's got. So, this makes the whole team better."
Defensive Coordinator Jon Heacock credits those connections to the veteran leaders that have served as anchors for the defense.
"You can't have a unit or a team, or in an organization find success if they're not connected, it's impossible," said Heacock. "I think this group has worked really hard at it. I think there's some veteran guys. You think of J.R., you think of Darien Porter, you think of Beau [Freyler]. Those guys have seen a lot of stuff happen here. They've been through all of it. They've been through some really cool things here, been through some things that aren't so cool here and I think they're trying to share and understand man, we really like the cool things here. What does it take to try and do that every single week? I give those guys a lot of credit."
Iowa State's secondary continues to be one of the defense's biggest strengths. Dating back to 2023, they've had 23 interceptions in 17 games. Seven of them have come this season courtesy of five different players.
This Cyclone defense has a nose for the football and no shortage of playmakers.
Iowa State will be back at Jack Trice Stadium Saturday, Oct. 5 to host Baylor at 6:30 p.m. The Cyclones have a chance to go 5-0 for the first time since 1980.