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5 numbers that stood out in Iowa State football's win over Arkansas State

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5 numbers that stood out in Iowa State football's win over Arkansas State

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AMES – The Iowa State football team beat Iowa, went on an off week in Week 3 – the first of two this season – and made a statement in Week 4.

The No. 21 Cyclones defeated Arkansas State 52-7 on Saturday to start the season with a 3-0 record for the first time since 2022. Iowa State's 52 points were the most the team has scored since a 59-7 win over Kansas in 2021.

Iowa State hopes to capitalize on the momentum from that win next week when the Cyclones begin Big 12 road play against Houston.

Here are five numbers that tell the story of Iowa State's victory over Arkansas State.

More: Hines: Iowa State Football continues convincing win over Arkansas State

4… like the fourth blocked kick in Darien Porter’s career

The Iowa State defensive back blocked an Arkansas State punt in the first quarter, making him and Nick Leaders the only known players in program history to have four blocked kicks in their careers. Porter has a blocked kick in four consecutive seasons.

With his four blocked punts, he has the most blocked punts of any active player in the FBS, which makes sense since he began his career on special teams.

More: With a 52-7 win over Arkansas State, Matt Campbell is Iowa State's all-time winningest player

5… as in five consecutive games with a touchdown by Jayden Higgins

Looking at the final two games of the 2023 season – against Kansas State and Memphis – Higgins has caught a touchdown in each of the last five games. He opened this season with scores against North Dakota and Iowa and scored his third touchdown of the year in the first half against Arkansas State on Saturday.

Higgins has six receiving touchdowns in 2023 and is on pace to surpass that mark this season.

More: Aiden Flora, former Iowa State football RB and ADM, scores the first college touchdown of his career

7…that means seven different players scored points for Iowa State

Carson Hansen scored his first career touchdown – Iowa State's first against Arkansas State – and then got his second in the third quarter, becoming the only player to score two touchdowns for the Cyclones.

Kyle Konrardy contributed three points, but Iowa State didn't need him much other than PATs.

That's because Rocco Becht, Tyler Moore, Jayden Higgins, Dylan Lee and Aiden Flora also scored touchdowns. So yes, Iowa State definitely shared the scoring love on Saturday.

More: WATCH: Iowa State football turns fake QB sneak into 24-yard one-handed catch

55 … as in the 55 minutes (and seven seconds) in which Arkansas State did not score a touchdown

A quick reminder that the Red Wolves lost to Michigan, the defending national champions, by just 10 points (28-18) last week. Arkansas State scored a field goal in the second quarter of that game but, much like this week, needed until late in the fourth quarter to score both of its touchdowns.

However, Iowa State's defense held the Red Wolves to zero points with less than five minutes left in the final quarter. By that point, Iowa State had already put up 45 points and traded most of its starters for alternates and third-down players.

83… as the total number of Iowa State players who participated in Saturday’s game

Any team that (almost) shuts out an opponent and scores over 50 points is bound to have to dig deep. Not only does this give several nonstarters and substitutes a chance to see real game action, but it also helps prevent injuries by getting those top players on the field.

Iowa State has certainly taken advantage of this opportunity. The Cyclones have used a total of 83 players from the roster at one point: 22 starters on offense and defense and 61 participants, including kickers and punters, off the bench.

By comparison, Arkansas State had 41 other athletes play outside of its starting lineup.

And against Iowa, the Cyclones played with only 36 players outside of the regular lineup on offense and defense.

Alyssa Hertel is the Des Moines Register's college sports recruiting reporter. Reach Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter. @AlyssaHertel.

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