When Iowa comes to Ames on Saturday, it will be a challenge met with open arms by Jeremiah George.

The senior linebacker for Iowa State did not like what he saw from himself in the Cyclones’ loss to Northern Iowa, but has set his sights on the Hawkeyes and doing all he can do to prepare himself and the ISU defense.

“It’s perfect for what I’m trying to bring back to the table and prove to myself,” George said of the matchup with Iowa. “It was great going against those guys last year and I thought I played very well even though I was young.

“I’m ready for this.”

This season, the front-seven of the Cyclones’ defense will have to contend with Iowa running back Mark Weisman. Last season in the Hawkeyes’ 9-6 loss to Iowa State in Iowa City, Weisman started at fullback and caught one pass for three yards.

Through Iowa’s first two games this season, Weisman has 50 carries and tallied 284 yards with two touchdowns. George compared the sizable running back to one of his ISU teammates.

“It’s almost like I’m tackling Jeff Woody instead of Aaron Wimberly,” George said of what it will be like to bring Weisman down. “[Weisman’s] going to probably drop his head a little more than he does shake. I know that any back is capable of doing anything because that’s why they’re back there. They’re back there to make people miss by either shaking them or running them over. He’s going to try to set the tone for his team and his offense and try to do it all game long.”

Redshirt freshman Luke Knott will be making his first career start at weak-side linebacker Saturday after playing most of the game against Northern Iowa. After relieving junior Jevohn Miller, Knott finished with six tackles and a pass breakup but feels he has learned a lot in the two weeks since.

Against the Iowa rushing attack, he noted the defense will have to focus heavily on three things: being physical, playing fast and knowing where to go at all times.

“Everybody has a responsibility on the defense and you’ve got to fit your gap,” Knott said. “Not necessarily are you going to make every play out there, but you’ve got to be in a position to help somebody else make a play.”

In addition to Weisman and the traditionally strong offensive line, the Iowa offense also added redshirt sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock to the starting lineup. In his first two starts for the Hawkeyes, Rudock has completed 40-of-65 passes for 449 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions.

In studying film of the Hawkeyes’ offense, ISU coach Paul Rhoads has noticed three specific things about Rudock’s play this season: his composure, poise and arm strength.

“He sprints out and throws the ball on the run well. He sprints out and makes a decision to go and runs away from people and drops a shoulder and runs through people,” Rhoads said of Rudock. “This is a guy that’s not playing like a first-year starter and a young quarterback.“He plays composed beyond his years.”