AMES — Iowa State football has lost its last three games – after starting the season with five-straight wins – and will face Arizona State in a rematch of last season’s Big 12 title game in Week 10.
The 2025 versions of the Cyclones (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) and Sun Devils (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) are very different teams from the ones that advanced to the title game less than a year ago, and both head coaches have dealt with some impactful injuries through the first eight games.
Here are three takeaways from Iowa State coach Matt Campbell’s media availability ahead of the Cyclones’ matchup against Arizona State (noon CT, TNT).
Sam Leavitt out, Jeff Sims in for the Sun Devils
Arizona State will be without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt, who aggravated an injury in the Sun Devils’ loss to Houston. He totaled 1,628 passing yards and 10 touchdowns through the air in seven games played this season.
That will leave it up to Jeff Sims, who came to Arizona State in 2024 after stints with Nebraska and Georgia Tech. He completed 18 passes for 124 yards in a loss to Utah and completed six passes for 58 yards and one touchdown in the loss to Houston.
Campbell still sees Sims as a challenge for the Cyclone defense, crediting Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham with developing a “one-two punch” in the quarterback room.
“Obviously, Jeff’s played a lot of football,” Campbell said. “You saw him in the fourth quarter a little bit on Saturday for them, and I really think he came in and was a monumental spark of success for them. When you see a guy like Jeff that’s played a lot of really good football, it’s a unique challenge.”
Campbell sees athleticism in Arizona State
The Cyclones and the Sun Devils enter Saturday’s game with identical overall records and similar records against conference opponents. So, Campbell understands that it will be a tough matchup, even with Leavitt sidelined with an injury.
“Uber talented across the board,” Campbell said. “They’ve obviously got a championship pedigree. They had a great year a year ago. You see how they played. They’re uber athletic, probably the most athletic team that we’ve played across the board all season.
“They’re physical at the point of attack, and they’ve got great skill players. They’ve got difference makers all over the place. They play really hard and (will) be a really great challenge for our football team.”
Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman out for the season
Iowa State’s secondary has lost another player to injury, with Campbell sharing that safety Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman will be out for the remainder of the year.
“Khijohnn will be out for the year,” Campbell said. “He tried to come back (but) we’re going to shut him down. He needs surgery…and I really appreciate him trying.”
Campbell also shared an update on linebacker Will McLaughlin and kicker Jace Gilbert.
“I think Will McLaughlin will be alright,” Campbell said. “That was a tough blow. Will was playing really good in the first half. We’ll kind of see where he is, right now he’ll be questionable for Saturday. I think there’s a chance that he may be back and ready to play.
“Jace Gilbert looks like he’s going to be able to go, which would be great. We’ve been trying to get him back, and he’s done an unbelievable job. So, I think there’s probably a real chance. He kicked today, which was awesome.”
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 3 takeaways from coach Matt Campbell’s press conference before Iowa State vs Arizona State
Reporting by Alyssa Hertel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
