AMES, Iowa – Matt Campbell now shares first place on Iowa State’s all-time wins list.

Campbell earned his 56^and victory with the 20^and– The Cyclones defeated Arkansas State 52-7 on Saturday at MidAmerican Energy Field in Jack Trice Stadium, tying him with Dan McCarney for the most wins among ISU football coaches.

Through three games in his ninth season at Iowa State, Campbell is 56-48, a .538 winning percentage, the school’s best in the modern era.

The Cyclones, 3-0 for the fourth time since 2010, made sure their coach didn’t have to strain himself, even in the 31-degree heat, jumping to a 31-0 halftime lead Rocco Bechts great passing and a revitalized attacking game, including Carson Hansens career day and moved smoothly through the second half.

Iowa State won for the 11^and straight time in scoring at least 30 points, finishing with season highs of 490 total yards and 237 rushing yards. It was the Cyclones’ biggest scoring outburst since a 59-7 win over Kansas on Oct. 2, 2021.

The defense also did its job against a team that was fresh off a 28-18 loss to Michigan in the Big House, holding the Red Wolves (2-2) to a blank until less than five minutes remained. The Cyclones held ASU to 64 yards rushing and 182 total yards, and spiced up the effort with interceptions by Jeremiah Cooper And Malik Verdon, Darien Porter’s fourth career point block and four sacks.

Becht averaged nearly 20 yards per completion, completing 11 of 18 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He also scored on a 1-yard sneak before turning things over to freshman Connor Moberly after one series in the third quarter.

Hansen is normally the team’s short-yardage back, but became a primary ball carrier on Saturday. The 220-pound sophomore had career highs of nine carries and 58 yards and scored the first two touchdowns of his career — a 1-yard plunge for the Cyclones’ first score and a 3-yard burst up the middle to make it 38-0 in the third quarter.

Porter caught an Arkansas State punt less than three minutes into the game and was credited with a block, putting the Cyclones on their own 40-yard line. Becht’s 28-yard pass to Benjamin Brahmer A nice play-action and 23-yard sprint from Hansen put ISU in the red zone and Hansen capped the six-play drive with his first college touchdown.

Becht overthrown Jayden Higgins on what looked to be a sure touchdown late in the first quarter, then hit it on a deep route for 26 yards to the Arkansas State 28-yard line. Becht would worm his way into the end zone five plays later to make it 14-0.

Kyle Konrardy’s A 31-yard field goal made it 17-0 in the second quarter, and Becht hit Brahmer on another big play the next time the Cyclones got the ball. He faked a quarterback sneak and then hit his tight end for 24 yards up the middle, Brahmer laying down to make the catch at the ASU 23.

Becht ended that drive with a 10-yard flip to the tight end Tyler Moore and the Cyclones weren’t even close to breaking the half. Verdon’s interception and 38-yard weaving return put the ball at the ASU 16 and Becht struck immediately, hitting Higgins on a crossing route for the touchdown and a 31-0 lead.

It was the fifth straight game in which Higgins caught a TD pass, tying the school record held by Todd Blythe and Ty Watley. Higgins finished with four catches for 65 yards, while Brahmer caught three balls for 73 yards.

Completions of 21 yards to Brahmer and 18 yards to Higgins set up Hansen’s second touchdown and freshman Dylan Lee shot untouched up the middle from 1 yard out for a 45-0 lead. Another freshman, Aiden-floracircled left for an 8-yard run to seal the score in the final minute.

Senior transfer Jaylen Jackson added his most productive day as a Cyclone to the rushing total, rushing 10 times for 53 yards. A total of seven players carried the ball during the game and nine caught a pass.

Moberly, who led Southeast Polk to two state championships, looked sharp in his first extended action, completing 5 of 7 passes for 49 yards and running four times for 36 yards, including a 17-yard dash to set up Flora’s touchdown.

Iowa State will be back on the road next weekend, playing in Houston on Saturday. Kickoff time will be announced later.