The 2017 football season was historic for Iowa State, and 2018 proved to be similar during the regular season.

Year three of the Matt Campbell era has seen plenty of achievements. The Cyclones finished 8-4 in the regular season, the best mark since 2000 when Iowa State finished 8-3 and won the Insight Bowl.

This season was also the first since 1978 in which Iowa State finished the regular season ranked in the AP poll. The 1978 Cyclones won four straight games to end the regular season ranked in the top 20, but a loss to Texas A&M in the Hall of Fame Classic kicked Iowa State out of the final poll.

While the Cyclones still have a bowl game to play (which could give the Cyclones nine wins, something the program has only achieved once in the last century), there were plenty of highlights in the regular season.

After a tough 1-3 start that saw a canceled game and an injury to redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Kempt, Iowa State rebounded in the month of October. Iowa State went 3-0 that month, including a win over then-No. 6 West Virginia. The Cyclone defense all but ended quarterback Will Grier’s Heisman hopes that night in a 30-14 win.

That win came just after Iowa State rolled out freshman quarterback Brock Purdy against Oklahoma State. Purdy quickly became a popular Cyclone due to his daring runs and deep passes to junior receiver Hakeem Butler.

Butler had quite the season, too. He became Iowa State’s single-season leader in receiving yards and he needs just one more touchdown to tie Allen Lazard’s record, set just last season.

Butler and junior running back David Montgomery formed one of the nation’s most formidable running back/wide receiver duos. Montgomery became the eighth Iowa State running back to reach the 1,000-yard mark in multiple seasons.

As November approached, the Cyclones saw their 1-3 record turn into 5-3, then 6-3. Iowa State was playing some of the best football in the nation, and a matchup with the Texas Longhorns suddenly had immense postseason implications.

The Cyclones faltered in Austin, losing by two touchdowns and effectively ending their Big 12 Championship aspirations. But one last challenge remained.

Iowa State fell behind 38-21 to Kansas State in the Big 12 finale. The Wildcats, winners of the last 10 games in the series, looked like they were ready to keep the winning streak rolling.

Iowa State came roaring back to win 42-38. The drought was over, and the Cyclones had their best Big 12 record ever at 6-3.

On Dec. 2, the Cyclones found out their bowl destination. Iowa State is headed to San Antonio, Texas, to take on Washington State in the Alamo Bowl.

A ninth win would make Iowa State’s 2018 season even more historic, while another loss would send the Cyclones home for the winter with a bitter taste in their mouths.