AMES, Iowa — Iowa State football enters 2024 returning 19 of 22 starters from the 2023 team that turned a corner in Big 12 play.
At least externally, this will be the first time that ISU enters the season with expectations since 2021. The '21 team was loaded with NFL talent and entered the season ranked in the top 10, but finished well below expectations at 7-6.
The program has learned lessons from that season.
"I would say there were some things that in hindsight I would have done different. And I think the great thing about that is, if you're willing to be humble enough and say, 'man, what went well, what didn't go well, how can we do it better?' Man, you're gonna get that opportunity to repeat itself," head coach Matt Campbell said. "I think a lot of it was mentality, you know, how do you challenge this group? You got a veteran group. How do you help those guys, you know, sustain focus and get the consistency that you want them to play and need them to play with?"
Current seniors Jaylin Noel and Beau Freyler were a part of the 2021 team and are now leaders as upperclassmen.
"No matter if you're a guy that scored a lot of touchdowns last season or didn't, we all have to have the same standard and push each other the same way for us to be successful," said senior receiver Jaylin Noel.
"I feel as though, you know, we played in a lot tight games," said senior safety Beau Freyler. "So when you're in those tight games, it comes down to turnover margin, and you know, winning in those big play margins as well."
The external noise from the media and fans doesn't determine the results, the Cyclones do.
"We have the talent to take this team anywhere." said junior safety Jeremiah Cooper. "(We've) got a lot of potential, but it (doesn't) mean nothing if we can't reach it."
And those goals are lofty.
"(My) biggest goal for 2024 is to win the Big 12 championship," said senior receiver Jayden Higgins.
Iowa State kicks off the season against North Dakota on Aug. 31 at Jack Trice Stadium.