Iowa State and the Big 12 Conference have not gotten along in recent history.

The Cyclones won three games in conference play in the last two seasons and hadn’t started it with a win since 2002. 

But that all changed at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday as the Cyclones barreled over the Kansas Jayhawks, 38-13, in a game that many expected to be a blowout for Iowa State.  

The first quarter would’ve been disappointing to anyone who was looking for the expected high-scoring game, as the only score came from a field goal. 

The Cyclones didn’t help that cause, going 1-for-2 in the red zone, including a missed 28-yard field goal attempt by Cole Netten, and squandering good field position. 

Iowa State improved on the dismal drives, scoring twice in the second quarter and going 2-of-3 in the red zone with two touchdowns, to take a 17-0 lead into halftime. 

Redshirt freshman running back Mike Warren stole the show in the second half, running for 114 yards, 175 on the day, with a 62-yard rushing touchdown.

The performance made him the first ISU freshman running back to have back-to-back games with 100-plus rushing yards. He also broke the ISU freshman record for rushing yards in a game.

Warren put a cap on the victory with a 12-yard rushing touchdown.