Iowa State is facing off against Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffs at Boulder. But for the Cyclones, who have been coming off a strong 5-1 record into the season, the roster faced a fresh injury within the first 15 minutes of the game. A three-star prospect out of Fort Osage School, Missouri, Ryver Pepper played his first snap of his collegiate career against Colorado. He was a No. 15 player in Missouri and ranked No. 80 as a running back in the Class of 2025.

What Happened to Ryver Peppers?

The 5’11, 205-pound running back has been down after his first snap of the season. It was 9:27 on the clock in the first quarter when Peppers went down after catching a swing pass from QB Rocco Becht, but slipped on the turf in the backfield, losing five yards. Although no official information has been released on the status of the injury, Colorado Buffaloes on SI reporter, Harrison Simeon, wrote on X that the freshman crumpled to the ground, owing to a non-contact injury on the first drive. “Have to worry for Achilles there,” he added.

Peppers was to be a significant element in Rocco’s offense. With back-to-back 1,600+yard seasons in his sophomore and junior years (high school), he was an asset for the roster. Wrapping up his HS career with 3,897 yards and 60 rushing touchdowns, as well as 10 touchdown receptions, he entered Ames.

Presently, after 2-4 record into the season, the Buffs won’t go down without a fight either. In the first quarter, the Cyclones couldn’t reach the endzone, but on the last drive of the first quarter, Buff’s RB Micah Welch capped off an eight-yard touchdown run into the endzone. As an All-State track & Field athlete in the long jump (in HS), Peppers’ run speed could have been a benefit for the Cyclones against Colorado. After he went down, the medical staff attended to him on the field, and he headed to the locker room.

Is Iowa State RB Hurt Again?

Ahead of the season-opener against Kansas State in Ireland, Ryver Peppers was listed on the injury report, along with the remaining 15 players. Alec Busse, 247Sports’ reporter for Iowa State football, wrote on X, “He (Peppers) suffered an injury during training camp.” Although the nature of the injury was not disclosed.

Then again, back in high school, due to an injury, his senior year was limited. He appeared in just five games, but stacked up impressive stats in those appearances. He rushed for 621 yards, chipping in eight touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Now, again, with his first snap of his collegiate career, he headed to the sidelines. As posted by Brian Howell, a reporter for Boulder Daily Camera, “trainers are helping him back to the locker room,” he wrote on X.

In addition to Peppers, by the end of the first quarter, defensive lineman Domonique Orange got injured as he made a tackle on Colrodo’s last drive, which gave them an early lead in the game. He was tended by the medical staff and later headed to the locker room.

Although the second quarter has been more fruitful for the Ames fandom. With 6:40 into Q2, he kicked a 38-yard field goal for the Cyclones, registering the first digits into the game. Soon after, with barely 30 seconds into the game, the offense charged a 96-yard downfield on 10 plays, with Abu Sama reaching the endzone on a one-yard touchdown. Bleeding into the halftime, the Cyclones got the lead for the first team into the game.