Iowa State built a 17-0 lead in the first half and held on for an opening 27-10 win over visiting Northern Illinois Thursday in Ames, Iowa.

Cyclones running back Alexander Robinson ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns. His 63-yard burst up the middle put Iowa State up 14-0 early in the second quarter.

Grant Mahoney's 41-yard field goal gave Iowa State a 17-0 lead at the half.

Northern Illinois, behind starting quarterback DeMarcus Grady, crept back into the game in the second half. Grady, who found out he'd be starting a few hours before kickoff, scored on a one-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to cut Iowa State's lead to 17-10.

But the Cyclones responded with a nine-play, 73-yard drive. Robinson scored from five yards out to make it 24-10 with five minutes to play. Mahoney tacked on his second field goal of the night to finish the scoring.

Iowa State quarterback Austen Armond completed 27 of 36 pass attempts for 265 yards and two interceptions. Armond also rushed for 45 yards, including a short touchdown run in the first quarter.

Grady completed 14 of 29 attempts for 93 yards and three interceptions.