Needing one last spark to put away South Dakota for good, Iowa State football found it in a redshirt freshman.
Adel native Aiden Flora made the most of his 2025 Jack Trice Stadium debut, returning a pair of punts deep into Coyotes territory in the third quarter.
The first appeared to be a spectacular 99-yard touchdown return before replay review showed Flora’s left toe had grazed the sideline at the Coyotes’ 33-yard line.
The second was equally as impressive, though, as Flora tallied a 51-yard return to USD’s 24-yard line.
Both returns, which combined for 117 yards, set up ISU touchdowns to take a 41-7 lead.
After the second return, however, Flora remained down on the sideline for a few moments before walking to the bench with a trainer. He was also seen talking to the team’s strength staff with his helmet on while sitting out the next punt return opportunity, according to Cyclones columnist Travis Hines.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State football redshirt freshman Aiden Flora dazzles with consecutive long punt returns
Reporting by Gus Martin, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
