Jaylen Raynor threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns, and Iowa State’s defense recorded 12 tackles for loss en route to a 38‑10 victory over Southeast Missouri State in the season opener on Saturday in Ames, Iowa.
Raynor, a transfer from Arkansas State, completed 8 of 16 passes and added two rushing touchdowns for the Cyclones, who opened the season under new coach Jimmy Rogers. Rogers, formerly the head coach at Washington State, assembled a largely new roster of 83 players after Matt Campbell departed for Penn State.
Braylen Ragland directed the Redhawks to 142 passing yards, completing 17 of 22 attempts and throwing one interception. Southeast Missouri State (1‑1) also surrendered six sacks for 62 yards.
SEMO managed only 209 total yards and 13 first downs, converting just 5 of 16 third‑down opportunities. Three turnovers resulted in 10 points for Iowa State.
The Cyclones built a 28‑7 halftime lead, with Raynor opening the scoring on a 7‑yard touchdown run and later finding Vince Benetti on a 24‑yard pass. A 36‑yard punt return by Aiden Flora set up a field goal, and the Redhawks answered with a 75‑yard drive capped by a 7‑yard touchdown from Chance Wilson.
In the second half, Flora added an 11‑yard rushing score, Raynor connected with Easton Miller on a 10‑yard touchdown, and Kyle Konrardy nailed a 33‑yard field goal to make it 31‑7. SEMO responded with a 40‑yard field goal from Justin Keller before Raynor sealed the win with a 7‑yard touchdown run.
