Big. Physical. Mayhem-oriented.

Those are not exactly friendly words to an offensive coach’s ears as he prepares for an upcoming opponent. Unfortunately for Iowa State’s offensive staff, those are the words being used to describe Connecticut’s defense as the Cyclones travel to Connecticut to face the Huskies on Friday night.

“They will look as good as any football team we play and they show that on paper,” said coach Paul Rhoads. “They are big on both sides of the football and they are also very physical.”

Through two games this season, the Huskies’ defense, which returns nine starters from last year’s 8-5 squad, has allowed a total of 428 yards on defense. That total is the best in the Big East and eighth-best nationally among teams that have played two games.

“They’re a physical group, they pursue all over the field. There’s a reason they’re only allowing a little over 200 yards a game, is because everywhere the ball carriers have gone with their first two opponents they’ve been there,” Rhoads said.

UConn’s defense under defensive coordinator Don Brown showcases a lot of movement across the field both pre-snap and post-snap, which will be a challenge for an ISU offense that will have seven starters making the first road trip of their college careers.

“They’re a little bit more mayhem-oriented,” said ISU offensive coordinator Tom Herman. “They’re going to try to confuse you and throw a bunch of stuff at you.”

The Huskies’ pressure scheme has worked so far this season with eight sacks, most in the Big East and tied for 10th-most in the nation.

“What you see isn’t always what you’re going to get,” Rhoads said.

UConn’s defense has been led this season by a pair of redshirt junior linebackers in Jory Johnson, who leads the Big East in tackles with 19, and Sio Moore, whose 3.5 sacks leads the Big East and is tied for third-most in the nation.

“They get off the ball, they penetrate, they get up field and they’re making plays right now,” Rhoads said.

Even dating back to last year, UConn’s calling card has been its defense. The Huskies haven’t scored an offensive touchdown in their last three games against BCS conference opponents including a 24-21 loss to Vanderbilt last week in which their points came off a punt blocked for a touchdown, a fumble return for a touchdown and a pair of field goals.

Rhoads and his staff know that how successful the ISU offense can be at recognizing UConn’s varying defensive looks will be a big factor in Friday night’s outcome.

“It affects you, you’ve got to be able to [identify] the people that potentially can come and then pick up all of them,” Rhoads said. “It’s a concern going into [the game], and it was a concern for me going into the season because I didn’t think we protected very well against our defense, so we’ll be anxious to get out there. We think we have some protection things solidified, and we’ll find out Friday night.”

Kickoff for Friday night’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2.