(Ames, IA) — Jack Trice Stadium comes alive again on Saturday at Iowa St. opens up their season against North Dakota, coverage on KSOM 96.5 FM.
The Cyclones are coming off a rebuilding 7-6 season that saw a lot of injuries and a lot of young players see playing time. At quarterback, Freshman Rocco Brecht won a huge battle in the pre-season and took over the starting spot, and he never relinquished it. He would be named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and a Second Team Freshman All-American. ISU Head Coach Matt Campbell says the biggest thing with Brecht is that by the end of his rookie season he figured out how to win
No one wants a sophomore slump but Brecht has some strong weapons to avoid that. Campbell believes that the wide receiver position might be the strongest and deepest on the team. Led by Seniors Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, Campbell has seen some explosive plays from this group in the pre season camp
On defense, Iowa State will start a trio of in state players at Linebacker. Harlan alum Junior Will McLaughlin starts at Strongside Linebacker; Junior Caleb Bacon from Lake Mills starts in the middle; and Sophomore Kooper Ebel from Hartley is on the Weakside.
The Cyclones face North Dakota, a FCS team in the Missouri Valley. Not to be confused with North Dakota St. which has been a national championship contender, the Fighting Hawks are still good in their own right. The two teams will be meeting for the first time. UND had a quarterback battle in the pre-season and Junior Simon Romfo won the starting nod — he has just throw three career passes in his two previous seasons. Fifth Year Senior Bo Belquist was a Second Team All-Conference receiver and Senior Wyatt Pedigo led the nation in fumble recoveries. Campbell knows he is facing a team with a tradition of winning
Overall, Campbell says this is the exciting time of the year, the opening game but also a nervous time with so many unknowns going in
Iowa St. hosts North Dakota in the opener Saturday afternoon, Pre Game 12:30, Kick off 2:30 on 96.5 FM KSOM.
