After giving up 615 yards to the top-ranked ranked offense in Oklahoma State, facing another high-octane offense is a tall order.

That’s just the task the ISU defense is charged with for the 100th Homecoming at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday.

“We believe it’s the most explosive offense that we’ve faced this year,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads.

The Bears (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) are led on offense by quarterback Nick Florence, who is as under the radar as one can be while currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in total yards per game with more than 400 per game through the air and on the ground.

Florence, who is in his first year as a starter, filled in for Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III marginally last year. When Florence did play, he completed 75 percent of his passes and threw for a pair of touchdowns.

Last year, the ISU defense was “bludgeoned” by Baylor, allowing 391 yards on the ground from a combination of runners including 200 from running back Terrance Ganaway and more than 100 yards from Griffin III.

“Last year we got caught up in trying to spread out and match them in the passing game and they killed us up the middle in the run game,” said ISU defensive back Deon Broomfield. “So this year we’re going to put a little more emphasis on putting an extra guy in the box and trying to stop the run first. Then we can deviate and try and stop the pass from there.”

Speaking to the same tone as Broomfield was Rhoads, stressing that his 44th-ranked rush defense’s No. 1 priority will be stopping the run on Saturday.

Florence, much like Griffin III, is a threat with his legs along with his arm. This season, Florence has rushed for more than 200 yards, while averaging 4.6 yards and has crossed the goal line four times.

“You have to take away the run; we got bludgeoned last year with both,” Rhoads said. “That’s what happens when you try and stop multiple things. Better stop one thing. That involves people to get that done, and you rally and try to control the others.”

Along with stopping the run, the defense plans to continue stressing turning the other team over.

Currently, the ISU defense is ranked No. 30 in the nation, taking away the ball 15 times.

“Playing defense you have to be greedy,” said ISU defensive back Durrell Givens. “We want to get every turnover we can, and even though we are ranked 30th, we can still do better.”