![]() The unit has hardly let any big plays break through the air this season, and safety Jeremiah Cooper already has three interceptions to his name in 2023. If the Cyclones can slow down Rourke and Ohio’s offensive attack, the secondary needs to continue its elite level of performance. Rourke plays with a high level of command over the offense and strong accuracy, along with keen awareness in the pocket. In Ohio’s 17-10 win over FAU, Rourke threw for 203 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Rourke will be a key to victory for the Bobcats, but the quarterback will face one of the stiffest defenses on his schedule Saturday. He threw for 3,256 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2022, but missed the final portion of the season due to an ACL injury. Last season, Rourke led the Bobcats to a MAC championship appearance, earning MAC Player of the Year honors. But it still needs to put together a complete performance, and a matchup against Ohio’s defensive line could be an opportunity to make some progress going into Big 12 play. Improvement in the run game has been a priority for the Cyclones this offseason, and so far, the room has shown flashes. The Bobcats have given up an average of 64.3 rushing yards this season, limiting FAU to five total rushing yards last Saturday. ![]() Norton and Sama will have an opportunity to take strides against Ohio, but the group will face a veteran defensive front. Both players have a high level of athleticism and breakaway speed, and the duo looks to be just shy of finding its groove. The pair put up 83 total yards last week against Iowa, finding bursts on the line of scrimmage but struggling to break any big runs. Sophomore Cartevious Norton and true freshman Abu Sama have taken a majority of the reps this season, with a rotation of a few other players in the mix. While Iowa State’s wide receivers have shown progress through two games this season, the running back room has yet to find its rhythm. ISU running back room and Ohio defensive front ![]() While the wide receiver corps has taken some steps forward, the unit will need to put up another strong performance against an opportunistic secondary on Saturday. Ohio’s secondary will provide a consistent threat for a young Iowa State passing attack. Cornerback Tank Pearson also has a takeaway this season, picking off FAU quarterback Casey Thompson in the fourth quarter last weekend. Safety Austin Brawley leads the Bobcats with two interceptions, along with five solo tackles and two pass-breakups on the year. The wide receiver room will look to build upon its progress as a unit, but it faces a challenging Ohio secondary that is prone to making plays. Still, the unit struggled with drops that often halted offensive momentum against a stout Iowa defense. It was a step forward for the position group, who put up 36 total yards in Iowa State’s season opener against Northern Iowa. Led by Eastern Kentucky transfer Jayden Higgins, the unit was often targeted on intermediate routes, securing consistent yardage and a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Iowa State’s wide receiver corps took on a bigger role in the Cyclone offense last Saturday, putting up 20 receptions for 176 yards against Iowa. With a potentially competitive contest Saturday, here are a few position matchups to keep an eye on. ![]() Ohio has continued to refine its offense approach, most recently taking down FAU on the road in a 17-10 win. The Cyclones took down Ohio at home last season, winning a decisive 43-10 contest, but the Bobcats will bring a more formidable challenge in this upcoming matchup. VIDEO: Secondary showdown in the Battle for the CyHawk trophyĪfter a competitive Cy-Hawk loss last Saturday, Iowa State will look to rebound in its first road trip against Ohio this weekend.
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