POP-TARTS BOWL: MIAMI VS IOWA STATE

December 8, 2024

Matt Campbell

Camping World Stadium

Iowa State Cyclones

Press Conference

MATT CAMPBELL: I know, from Iowa State football and certainly our athletic department, we couldn't be more grateful to be able to be a part of this great bowl game again. We've had the opportunity two other times to be here. It was just an incredible experience.

And then obviously the opportunity to play a tremendous football program -- and obviously not only the program and the season that Miami had -- but the history of that great program, a great opportunity for Iowa State football, for sure.

Q. I wanted to ask you, what do you anticipate the process of being like of your kids regrouping and getting ready to try to end this thing the best possible way now after the disappointment of not getting in the playoff?

MATT CAMPBELL: I think for our kids I think that's what made Iowa State really special is our ability to have great resiliency. I know our kids are super excited about the opportunity to finish off.

Obviously yesterday was disappointing, but this group and this football team has had the opportunity to just continue to fight.

And I think it gives us a chance to, number one, get a little bit healthier, and number two, have an opportunity to put our senior class out the right way. We really look forward to the opportunity at hand.

Q. I know 10 wins was a really big deal to be the first group in 134 years or whatever it is to get to 11. What would that mean to your team?

MATT CAMPBELL: Obviously, I think you're in unchartered territory for Iowa State football. Anytime you've got a chance to put an exclamation point on some of those things it's powerful.

And our senior class has led us with such class and dignity, and maybe one of the most special groups we've coached here, that the opportunity to send them out the right way would be great for Iowa State football.

Q. Seventh bowl appearance in your nine years at Iowa State. Just what does that say to what you built or the continuity of players throughout your time there, just to have that consistency, especially considering there were only 12 other bowl appearances before your arrival?

MATT CAMPBELL: I think it just gives a lot of credit to our coaching staff here, especially the group that has stayed together over the nine years we've been here. And honestly the vision and the faith that our kids have had in us as coaches and a program.

You're right, to have success and create belief was one thing, but to sustain it is another. It's a challenge. It's great to have great kids and certainly a great coaching staff that stayed the course. I take great pride in it and I don't take it for granted.

Q. After yesterday's game, it seemed like your team was ready to get the 11th win and send the seniors off on a high note and ready to turn the page from the loss. What's your message to Cyclone fans who are feeling the heartbreak of yesterday? And why should they turn the page (indiscernible) of the Pop-Tarts Bowl?

MATT CAMPBELL: I would hope our fan base would be really proud of what this team has accomplished. To be honest with you, I think we've given Iowa State football, for the first time in a long time, hope.

And this senior class and this team, boy, there should be nothing to be disappointed in, who they've been and how they've played. And obviously nobody had greater disappointment of not getting the outcome we wanted yesterday, but, still, the way we played, the way our kids have battled, there's a lot to be really proud of.

And what a great way to put an end to the season than this great bowl game and the history of this great bowl game to be a part of that. I think it's huge for our fan base and a lot to be proud of, for sure.

Q. After the game, Jaylin Noel told us that the seniors are all interested in playing this bowl game. He's interested in playing. Where does that come from, with these seniors and everybody interested in playing in these bowl games?

MATT CAMPBELL: I think, for us, I think the reality is this senior class is special.

Believe me it's not always that way. I don't take it for granted. But their commitment to each other, their commitment to team, it's been one of the greatest -- it's been one of the greatest joys I've had.

I think it just says everything about a guy like Jaylin who doesn't have to play in the game deciding to play in the game. And not only play, but demand to lead his football team that. Way and really such a profound group of seniors willing and wanting to do that.

In our day and age that we're in today, I think it says a lot about who this team has been every step of the way.

Really grateful to coach it. Don't take it for granted. And just really appreciative of the young men we have in this program.

Q. You get to play Miami. I think it's the first match-up between these two brands and programs in history. What does it mean, again, for Iowa State to continue to play these big, marquee teams in events?

MATT CAMPBELL: I just think it's huge for Iowa State football. Again, the respect that we have for obviously, number one, Coach Cristobal and what he's created and the success he's had as a head football coach.

But, number two, just Miami University, what that program has meant over the test of time. Obviously, what they're doing and continue to do, it's certainly a great opportunity for Iowa State football. And we have great respect for everything they stand for.

Q. You mentioned hoping to get healthier in the next couple of weeks. Guys playing through injury like Malik and J.R., is it hopeful they can be able to play? Or is there a discussion that they've been playing through injury for a long time and they need to be evaluated?

MATT CAMPBELL: I think probably Malik continues to be in that boat. Obviously, he wasn't able to play a whole lot yesterday. I think he maybe played five or six plays. I think J.R., he is certainly in that boat. I think obviously Ben Bramer is in the boat of getting healthier. I think Cael Brezina is in the boat of getting healthier.

And getting some of those guys -- and I think Will McLaughlin has been playing not to 100 percent but getting him some more opportunity to get a lot closer to what his health and full potential can look like. Kooper Ebel has been in that boat.

You know, covering us, we've been hanging on by a hair. In some of these games where it just showed up. And it showed up certainly yesterday.

And I think we had a chance, three weeks is a long time, and I think it gives us a chance to have a real opportunity to maybe be the healthiest we've been all season, which is for us that would be big.