Iowa State running back Aiden Flora scored all three of the Cyclones' first-quarter touchdowns on Saturday, helping Iowa State beat Cincinnati 41-13 at Jack Trice Stadium. Flora celebrated his scores with a Michael Jackson-style dance, a moment that drew attention from fans watching the game.
Cincinnati struck first, scoring on its opening possession. Iowa State answered right away, and Flora carried the offense for the rest of the opening quarter. He completed his first-quarter work in under 15 minutes of game time, turning an early Cincinnati lead into a commanding advantage for the home team.
Flora finished the afternoon with 28 carries for 216 rushing yards. He also added four catches for 38 receiving yards and threw one completion for 37 passing yards, touching the ball in nearly every phase of the attack. His production was central to the Cyclones' effort in the first season under head coach Jimmy Rogers, the first game of a new era for the program.
The performance also reflected how thoroughly Iowa State controlled the early tempo. Cincinnati's opening drive gave it a brief advantage, but the Cyclones reclaimed command with a rapid sequence of scores that left the visitors chasing the game from the first quarter onward. The home crowd at Jack Trice Stadium saw the running game carry the bulk of the offensive load.
The victory matters beyond the scoreboard for Iowa State. A win like this one could help the program reach bowl eligibility as the season continues, a goal that becomes more reachable with each result. The Cyclones next travel to face UCF in Orlando, where they will look to build on a performance that put their ground game firmly on display.