Sept. 12 — Iowa State opens the season with a 31-14 loss to Louisiana in Ames after giving up a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, a 78-yard passing touchdown and an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown.
"Give credit to their team," Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said. "A really veteran football team that came in here and in the second half just really dominated the game.”
The Ragin’ Cajuns finished the season 10-1 but were still 19th in the final College Football Playoff rankings, nine spots below Iowa State.