The 2009 Iowa State Cyclones football team represented Iowa State University as a member of the North Division in the Big 12 Conference during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Paul Rhoads, the Cyclones compiled an overall record of 7âÂÂ6 with a mark of 3âÂÂ5 in conference play, placing fourth in the Big 12's North Division. Iowa State was invited to the Insight Bowl, where the Cyclones defeated Minnesota. The team played home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.
The Cyclones entered Memorial Stadium without their leading quarterback and rushing threat and subsequently played an error-free game. The solid effort was enough to put up nine points in the first half to lead Nebraska by two, which concluded the game's scoring. The nine points turned out to be sufficient to win against the poor Cornhusker offensive effort, which turned over the ball a school-record eight times (including four inside of Iowa State's five-yard line). The turnovers negated Nebraska's 362âÂÂ239 edge in yards gained.
The Cyclones enjoyed their first win in Memorial Stadium since 1977. First-year Head coach Paul Rhoads said about the game, "When you don't win in a stadium on the road since 1977, it's big."
Alexander Robinson<br>On September 28, Alexander Robinson was declared the Big 12 Co-Offensive player of the week after recording 178 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in Iowa State's win over Army. Robinson is the first Iowa State running back since Ennis Haywood in 2000 to record three consecutive 100- yard games.