ARLINGTON, Texas – No. 18 Iowa State was announced to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against No. 13 Miami (FL) on Dec. 28th. The news came Sunday during the College Football Playoff rankings show.

The Cyclones fell short in a 45-19 defeat against then-No. 15 Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship. The second championship loss in program history was attributed to the team’s three turnovers, lackluster defense and the Sun Devils’ explosive offensive plays formed from running back Cam Skattebo.

Despite the loss, the Cyclones are looking ahead to their last chance to play on the field and conclude the 2024 football season on a high note, aiming for Iowa State’s 11th win of the season.

“It means everything, the seniors are going to play in the bowl game,” wide receiver Jaylin Noel said. “I am going to play in the bowl game, just to be able to have that last moment. It will be a defining moment for this program to win 11 games and finish better than we did last year.”

“We are still on pace to make history, Iowa State has never won 11 games so that’s still in the grasp for us,” defensive lineman J.R. Singleton said. “We are going to give our all, we are going to go back to the drawing board and we are going to go win that game.”

The Hurricanes fell short of competing in the ACC Championship, finishing with a 10-2 overall record. Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns, will not play in the bowl game.

“We have a bowl game and it is not meaningless, so we are going to prepare for that game like it’s the playoffs,” defensive back Myles Purchase said. “They are going to get my best, and I know the seniors are going to play their best in that game.”

Iowa State will face Miami for the first time Dec. 28 at 2:30 p.m. from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The game will be nationally televised on ABC.