AMES — For the first time since 2012, the Iowa State Cyclones began the football season with a 3-0 record.

A 43-10 win over Ohio sealed the deal for the Cyclones, as they will now enter Big 12 play unscathed.

Despite this start, Campbell said the team has work to do to get where it wants to be.

Perfect start

As previously mentioned, the Cyclones are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2012. This is what matters to the Iowa State players and staff.

At the end of the day, the win against Iowa, and the pair of dominant wins against Ohio and Southeast Missouri State all equal out to one win each.

“I see all the things that it’s going to cost us when we need it the most,” Campbell said. “We can be happy being 3-0. I’m not.”

In a sport like football, teams cannot spend their time focusing on the previous game, because the next matchup awaits them in just one week.

This time around, that matchup happens to be against a Baylor team that is one of the favorites to win the Big 12.

Hutchinson makes history

Xavier Hutchinson became the eighth Cyclone to have 2,000 career receiving yards after a dominant four-catch, 27-yard opening drive that was capped with a rushing touchdown from quarterback Hunter Dekkers.

Hutchinson would go on to finish the game with nine catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, and although it marked his least yards in a game this season, it was not a number to be disappointed about.

Hutchinson was not the only receiver to show out on Saturday, as Sean Shaw checked in with a strong performance of his own. Shaw brought in five catches for 54 yards and leaped over a tackler to score a touchdown.

Tight end DeShawn Hanika also found the endzone for the Cyclones, recording a pair of catches for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Field position makes the difference

Punting problems and strong defensive play helped Iowa State get strong field position in the game. The Cyclones started six drives within 55 yards of the endzone.

Colby Reeder also helped the field position battle, picking off a pass and returning it all the way to the Ohio 13-yardline.

This was one of three drives for the Cyclones that got started in the redzone. 

“At times offensively we weren’t as clean as we need to be, or want to be,” Campbell said. “When you’re able to get the ball in good field position, that is the name of the game in football.”

Shaw credited part of his strong performance to the field position that the special teams and defense were able to get for the offense.

“It all goes together,” Shaw said. “That leads to offense being able to go out there and play how we like to play. Play fast and play physical.”