| Year: | 1942 |
| Team: | Iowa State Cyclones |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Six Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big 6 |
| Record: | 3–6 |
| Conf Record: | 1–4 |
| Head Coach: | Ray Donels |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Hc Games: | first 3 games |
| Head Coach2: | Mike Michalske |
| Hc Games2: | 1st season, final 6 games |
| Captain: | Royal Lohry |
| Stadium: | Clyde Williams Field |
The 1942 Iowa State Cyclones football team represented Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts (later renamed Iowa State University) in the Big Six Conference during the 1942 college football season. Under head coaches Ray Donels (first three games) and Mike Michalske (final six games), the Cyclones compiled a 3–6 record (1–4 against conference opponents), tied for last place in the conference, and were outscored by opponents by a combined total of 177 to 94.[1] [2] They played their home games at Clyde Williams Field in Ames, Iowa.
Royal Lohry was the team captain.[2] Back Paul Darling was selected as a first-team all-conference player.[3]
Iowa State was ranked at No. 128 (out of 590 college and military teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1942.[4]