Random numbers generate deep bonds for Iowa State entering the 2025 season

AMES — Iowa State’s soon-to-be third-year starting quarterback Rocco Becht and star cornerback Jontez Williams both wear a jersey bearing the number 3.

Standout linebacker Caleb Bacon and versatile running back Carson Hansen share the number 26.

Coincidence?

“Totally random,” said Cyclones football coach Matt Campbell during Friday’s annual media day. “But it’s a good random.”

Of course, the numbers available to any football team is finite, so doubling up isn’t unique to ISU. But the fact the Cyclones’ numerical roster pairs up some of the program’s most important duos is certainly ironic as a season that starts with a so-called Week 0 matchup with Kansas State on Aug. 23 in Dublin, Ireland, looms less than a month away.

“It is pretty cool,” said Becht, who broke several of Brock Purdy’s freshman records in his first season and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors last season. “Me and Jontez always talk about, ‘Let’s go 3, let’s go 3. So we kind of have that inside thing together.”

Becht clutches the keys to an ISU offense that must replace two of the program’s best all-time receivers, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.

“(Expectations are) just as high or even better,” Becht said as he and the Cyclones come off an unprecedented 11-win season. “I think growing success — growing and sustaining success — is what’s big for us this year. Last year, our motto was kind of sustaining it. We want to keep growing it and I think we can do that with the team we have.”

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Wiilliams — a native Floridian like Becht — allowed just one touchdown in coverage last season and anchors a secondary that will be among the best in the Big 12.

“Us Florida boys, we stick together,” said Williams, a preseason all-conference selection. “It’s nice.”

Even nicer: Seeing the competition for the cornerback spot opposite of him heat up.

“Everybody’s doing well, everybody’s getting better,” Williams said. “So it’s just a matter of time.”

Bacon and Hansen split time and the number 26 on special teams until the former sustained a season-ending injury in last season’s opener, but is fully healthy now.

“We always joke a little bit that next year our jersey will be the big seller,” said Bacon, who emerged as a star in 2024.

Hansen totaled a team-best 752 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in what proved to be a breakout 2025 season. He’ll seek even bigger numbers this fall helping to lead a deep stable of backs that includes the explosive Abu Sama.

“I think there are a lot of things that are unseen in the room,” Hansen said of ISU’s running backs. “So I’m excited for what’s to come in that area.”

That excitement will reach a fever pitch less than a month from now in Dublin. Until then, fall camp will separate the ones from the twos and the threes — even as others numbers distinguish the Cyclones in unique ways.

“I asked for the zero,” said wide receiver Chase Sowell, a talented transfer from East Carolina. “Came in, it was either nine or zero.”

Higgins wore the number ‘9’ for his celebrated ISU career and Sowell shunned it in a show of respect. He shares ‘0’ with linebacker Zachary Lovett.

“Kind of wanted him to have his own thing,” said Sowell, who averaged 19.9 yards per catch last season. “And I kind of just wanted to build my own legacy. So I feel like zero was the opportunity to do that.”

That’s not random. But it is emblematic of the Cyclones’ mindset as they seek to follow up on the winningest season in program history.

“Are we tough enough to be good enough?” Campbell said. “You’re gonna find out really fast, right?”

Coach: Matt Campbell (10th season at ISU, 64-51; 14th season overall, 99-66

Last year: 11-3, 7-2 in Big 12; lost to Arizona State, 45-19, in Big 12 championship game; beat Miami, 42-41, in Pop-Tarts Bowl

Top returners: QB Rocco Becht, TE Ben Brahmer, RB Carson Hansen, TE Gabe Burkle, OL Dylan Barrett, OL Brendan Black, OL Tyler Miller, DL Domonique Orange, LB Kooper Ebel, LB Caleb Bacon, DB Jeremiah Cooper, DB Jontez Williams, LS Drew Clausen, PK Kyle Konrardy, PK/P Jace T. Gilbert, P Tyler Perkins

Schedule: Aug. 23 — vs. Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland, 11 a.m. (ESPN); Aug. 30 — South Dakota, 2:30 p.m. (Fox); Sept. 6 — Iowa, 11 a.m. (Fox); Sept. 13 — at Arkansas State, 3 p.m.; Sept. 27 — Arizona, TBA; Oct. 4 — at Cincinnati, TBA; Oct. 11 — at Colorado, TBA; Oct. 25 — BYU, TBA; Nov. 1 — Arizona State, TBA; Nov. 8 — at TCU, TBA: Nov. 22 — Kansas, TBA; Nov. 29 — at Oklahoma State, TBA

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com