As the old man on the roster, Landen Akers has been at Iowa State even longer than fifth-year coach Matt Campbell.

The Cyclones occupied the spot next to Kansas at the bottom of the Big 12 when the wide receiver from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, arrived in Ames. Now the Cyclones (7-2, 7-1 Big 12) are alone in first place heading into Saturday's game against West Virginia (5-3, 4-3).

"It's been a long journey," said Akers, now 23. "It's been tough but it's been satisfying just to get through and get to this fifth year and be able to play like we are right now."