Jackson Pence

@CycloneFanatic Staff: FB Recruiting Guru/Podcaster/Writer| CBB Enthusiast | "It's always a great day to be a Cyclone. Some days are better than others."

[Jackson Pence @JacksonLPence]

My thoughts on Matt Campbell to Penn State:

I’m not going to lie — the last 36 hours have been gut‑wrenching and saddening to say the least. The man who lifted Iowa State Football to heights we never thought possible is gone in the blink of an eye, and that man is Matt Campbell.

It’s impossible to fully capture what Campbell has meant to Iowa State since arriving in Ames in 2015. He is, without question, the greatest coach to ever lead an athletic program at Iowa State University. In 10 years, he became the all‑time winningest coach in school history, took two teams to the Big 12 Title game when no one believed it could be done, delivered a school‑record 11 wins in 2024, and so much more.

He and his staff brought in incredible players, coaches, and families who forever changed the fabric of Cyclone football. We got to witness unforgettable moments: the 2017 team that put Iowa State on the national scale, the 2020 squad that shattered expectations, and the 2024 team that will forever be remembered as the best in school history. And through every storm in college athletics, Campbell stayed. He chose Iowa State when he could have left countless times, and for that, #cyclONEnation and I will always be grateful.

Yes, it hurts to see him leave for Penn State. But more than anything, I feel appreciation. He owes Iowa State nothing, and we owe him everything. His loyalty, his passion, his belief in this place — they were second to none. I’ll be cheering for him and his staff in Happy Valley, and I hope they reach the mountaintop someday.

Thank you @ISUMattCampbell. Thank you for all the countless memories and moments you brought to our lives. I can't wait to see the statue we build for you in Ames, Iowa, someday.

But as one chapter closes, another begins. A new era is here in Ames with Jimmy Rogers taking the reins as head coach. The foundation Campbell built is strong, and now it’s Rogers’ time to lead the program forward. The future of Cyclone football is still bright, and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes us all.

Thanks for following along to all of our coverage @cyclonefanatic. We will bring it to you all in the coming days. Love you, Cyclone Nation. You guys are what is still great about college sports. Best fanbase in the country, hands down.

📸: Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

[Chris Williams @ChrisMWilliams]

Just a heads up. Still in Tucson. Fly back tomorrow. @brentblum has been on the golf course for like 7 straight hours. Can't make it up. Plan to do our Sunday @cyclonefanatic pod tomorrow AM. I'm not waiting around on him anymore. Will allow us to talk hoops too.

[Jared Benko @JaredBenko]

💪💪💪 #GoCyclones

[Jackson Pence @JacksonLPence]

Really good to see Ryan Prather knock down some shots early in this one.

That is exactly what Iowa State needs out of him. Making open shots and taking care of the ball.

[Iowa State Men’s Basketball @CycloneMBB]

1...2...3 First Half 3's for RPJ!

#Cyclones | #C5C | @RyanPratherJr

[Jackson Pence @JacksonLPence]

@BettsOnSports I'd buy an MVC version if they had it. Get to work on that, Josh 😉

[Jackson Pence @JacksonLPence]

Tamin Lipsey changes the outlook of this team so much.

Had two terrific passes that led to buckets and then hit a transition three. His value to this team is undeniable.

[Derek Duke @DerekDuke25]

Check out the latest episode of Bigger Than 12! This week @JacksonLPence and I go over the CHAOS in the conference with two top 10 teams going down. We also look at the Big 12 title picture and talk about Baylor FINALLY firing Dave Aranda! https://t.co/k1MYTp5fPG via @YouTube

[Iowa Everywhere @IowaEverywhere]

B12: @DerekDuke25 and @JacksonLPence recap a chaotic Big 12 weekend as BYU and Texas Tech suffer upset losses, Utah takes control of the conference race, and Baylor fires Dave Aranda. Plus, the guys discuss the College Football Playoff picture and unveil their updated Big 12 Top 5 rankings. All this and more, presented by WealthCharter Retirement + Tax!

https://t.co/RzQ31kTiVb

[Jake Brend @JakeBrendTV]

Pence is filling in for me but I just called into Bigger Than 12 with my raw reaction.

I can’t believe it actually happened.

[Henry Annen @henry_annen]

Iowa State forward Taj Manning is in street clothes during pregame warmups ahead of the Cyclones’ exhibition against Northwestern.

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources: Baylor has fired coach Dave Aranda.

[Cullen Holt @CullenJHolt]

Both Iowa and Iowa State played two quarterbacks in losses today.

Cyclones coach Jimmy Rogers explains the decision to replace Jaylen Raynor after a fumble late in the second half tonight⬇️

🎥ISU Athletics

[Mitch Fick @MCFick]

In his second start of the season, Deacon Hill threw for 213 yards, rushed for another 57, and scored three touchdowns - leading Utah Tech to their first win of 2026.

[Jackson Pence @JacksonLPence]

CF POSTGAME: Iowa State falls flat against No. 25 Arizona https://t.co/EE9Zl6crpP

[Chris Hassel @Hassel_Chris]

Iowa State coaching staff is elite at in game adjustments. Just don’t have the personnel to compete against good Big 12 teams.

[Jackson Pence @JacksonLPence]

CF HALFTIME: Iowa State trails No. 25 Arizona at Halftime https://t.co/0T35YKcZEy

[Jackson Pence @JacksonLPence]

Iowa State vs. No. 25 Arizona Preview: Can the Cyclones Bounce Back? | CF PREGAME https://t.co/iDzOkG10bB

[Chris Williams @ChrisMWilliams]

I’d love to see what Jimmy Rogers could do with a 50 million dollar roster.

[Cyclone Fanatic @cyclonefanatic]

It’s game day in Tucson.

Before kickoff, see how the Cyclone Fanatic staff is picking Iowa State’s matchup at No. 25 Arizona.

https://t.co/ELRjvlAzfh

[Iowa State Men’s Basketball @CycloneMBB]

A 6-5 Guard, from Iowa State. 🥹

#Cyclones | #C5C | #NBAClones

[Cyclone Fanatic @cyclonefanatic]

Can Iowa State pick up its first road win of the season?

See how the Cyclone Fanatic staff is picking Saturday's game at Arizona.

https://t.co/ELRjvlAzfh