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Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Iowa State Cyclones Homecoming Against BYU Cougars Is Perfect Time for Tailgate

Originally posted on Iowa State Cyclones on SI
By Kenneth Teape | Last updated Oct 24, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Iowa State Cyclones are returning to the field in Week 9 refreshed and ready to get their season back on track. Before heading on bye in Week 8, the team lost to the Cincinnati Bearcats and Colorado Buffaloes, changing the trajectory of their season.

Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff hopes are now waning. If they want to have any chance of keeping those aspirations alive, they need to pick up a victory over the BYU Cougars this weekend.

That will be no small task with the Cougars currently undefeated at 7-0 and ranked No. 11 in the country. But they will be paying a visit to what will be a raucous crowd at Jack Trice Stadium.

The Cyclones haven’t played at home since Week 5 against the Arizona Wildcats, when they won 39-14. A lot has changed since that point, but you can count on the crowd being ready to go after a month of not seeing their team play.

Iowa State fans ready to cheer on team against BYU

Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

What will make the atmosphere even more exciting is that it is homecoming weekend. As if the fans didn’t have enough to cheer about, it will be a fun-filled weekend in Ames with alumni back in town.

To make the most of homecoming weekend, there will assuredly be an assortment of tailgates being held. Fans will come together and hang out before, during and after the game, all while cheering on their Cyclones.

One company that has been helping fans get the most out of their homecoming tailgates is Captain Morgan. Throughout the season, including a stop at Ames, they have been hosting The Captain’s Challenge.

West Wilson is leading the unique event that will give football fans a chance to turn their gameday experience into tickets to Super Bowl LX with a Captain Morgan twist.

"You never know what The Captain's Challenge is going to throw at you—but that's the point," Wilson shared via the press release. "This football season, it's all about how your crew shows up when the pressure's on. I'm hyped to lead the charge - because after all, no tailgate is complete without Captain Morgan."

Right now, Bloomington, Indiana, holds the top spot on The Challenge leaderboard. But, there is still plenty of time for Iowa State fans and Ames to get on the board and into the action.

"With the Captain's Challenge, we're tapping into a cultural phenomenon that's fueling the next generation of fans—challenge culture," said Anne Nosko, VP at Captain Morgan. "We're giving crews a reason to shake up their game day rituals with a fun detour that can turn into unforgettable moments, the kind they'll be talking about long after the final whistle."

Gameday is already an incredible experience for fans, from the tailgate to the game itself. Now, Captain Morgan is presenting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take your tailgate to the next level.

All sorts of prizes, gear and potential upgraded gameday experiences can be won by anyone who participates in The Captain’s Challenge. And of course, hopefully a Cyclones victory.