Editor’s note: This is the latest in a series of articles focusing on the different positions up for grabs during spring practice. See Wednesday’s Daily for a look at the defensive line.

One season ago on a much maligned defense, Alvin Bowen was one of the few bright spots.

The junior linebacker led not just the Cyclones or the Big 12, but the nation in tackles.

Even with those lofty statistics from a season ago, Bowen hasn’t reached his peak. But how can he improve from being No. 1 in the nation?

“He’s gotta get more tackles,” said coach Gene Chizik. “With Alvin, it’s a matter of him playing physical football. He’s gotta play like an All-American.

“Stats don’t always tell the tale. You can play and have a lot of stats and not play within the defense and get your defense killed. What we’re working on with Alvin is him playing within the defense and playing physical, and still making plays like he did last year.”

Bowen had 155 tackles, anchoring the defense with fellow linebacker Tyrone McKenzie

But McKenzie, who had transferred to Iowa State from Michigan State, bolted for South Florida after the season.

That leaves Bowen the leader of a defense that ranked 11th in the conference in total defense a season ago.

“Ace [Bowen] has become a really good leader on defense,” Chizik said.

“Obviously everyone knows what a good football player he was last season.

“Leadership isn’t a position, it’s an action. You have to earn that. You can’t select a leader and expect guys to follow it. Those guys earn it.”

To remedy the problems on that side of the ball, Chizik has the defense playing and hitting harder than usual.

With a national title under his belt as defensive coordinator at Texas, the coach’s pedigree is certainly enough to command the respect and listening ears of his defense.

“It gives you confidence, it makes you know that he’s been there already, so he knows what he’s talking about,” Bowen said.

Bowen enjoys the difficulty of practice and the work the team is going through.

“Everything now is going to be really hard, so when game situations come, that part is going to be easy,” Bowen said.

“Sometimes teams go through the hard times during the season. They’re making the hard times now so when the season comes it’s like second nature to us.”

The added intensity from the defense has caused the offense to pick up their game as well.

And that leads to friendly rivalries between teammates.

Bowen has a goal to put a hit on Todd Blythe, and the receiver is relishing the fact so far he has gotten away from the linebacker’s hard hitting.

“He hasn’t got me, yet,” Blythe said.

“Every day in practice, when we stretch we’re right across from each other chirping back and fourth. He’s always telling me he’s going to get me, but he hasn’t got me yet.”

Spying a reporter who is scribbling his quote into his notebook, Blythe can’t resist the chance to stick one to Bowen.

“Write that down,” he said.