Nik Moser is flying under the radar — just the place he wants to be.

The senior safety led the Cyclones in tackles as a junior, but glance through preseason all-conference teams and players-to-watch lists, and Moser is nowhere to be found.

“A lot of the talk has been about [Jason] Berryman and [Tim] Dobbins and [Nick] Leaders — other people and they deserve it,” Moser said. “There are great players on the defense.

“I don’t read the headlines. If my name is in the paper, I could really care less.”

Moser will suit up Saturday in his fourth and final Iowa State-Iowa game, and for a kid from Fort Dodge, the game means a little more.

“The rivalry is alive and well,” Moser said. “Except for two years ago, you look at the last six or seven years and they’ve all been close games. The rivalry is definitely alive.”

After watching the rivalry before college, it was an easy decision for Moser as to where he would continue his career.

“This is where I wanted to come,” Moser said. “I was an Iowa State fan. I was a fan of Coach McCarney, I was a fan of [former assistant coach] Mike Woodley, who was here when I came here.

“I just wanted to come here.”

Moser appeared in 13 games as a freshman, mostly on special teams, recording two tackles. He started at linebacker as a sophomore, seeing action in six games before an injury forced him to the bench.

Last year, he moved to safety, a more natural position for him. From that position he led the team with 85 tackles and picked off two passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

“He recognizes formations and knows when to adjust the coverage,” said ISU defensive coordinator John Skladany. “He recognizes splits in receivers and tendencies that the offense has. He’s really on top of the game.”

Moser and Steve Paris have combined to become a formidable duo at the safety position. They finished first and second in tackles last season, with Paris making 83 stops, two shy of Moser’s mark.

The pair has stepped up to lead a defensive secondary that returns three starters from last year’s squad.

“We have come together really well, and I think right now we’re probably ahead of where we were last year at this time,” Moser said.

With his experience and skill, Moser is taking a strong leadership roll on the team.

“I’m vocal when I need to be vocal,” Moser said. “I’m going to say something during the game if something isn’t going right, and if you think you can fix it you are going to say something. But at the same time you have to let your actions speak louder than words. When you make a play, people are going to see that.”

Although Moser is in his final season with the Cyclones, Skladany said he sees a future for him in football.

“I think he has a chance [to play professionally], and I’d be surprised if someone didn’t give him that chance,” Skladany said. “He’s a good football player and has good size for a safety and makes good plays on the ball.”

Moser and the rest of the defensive unit will have to make those good plays Saturday, as they will be put to the test by a balanced Iowa offense.

The Hawkeyes have multiple weapons the Cyclone defense has to address.

“The first thing you start with is you have to control the running game so they don’t eat the clock up,” Skladany said.

“Then the other thing is, don’t let Drew Tate beat us,” he said. “He’s got a lot of magic in his arm, and he can beat you on a scramble and he can beat you throwing a deep ball. He’s very skilled throwing the football.”