Another game, another top-notch running back opposing the Cyclone football team.

This time, its Northern Illinois’ Michael “Burner” Turner. Turner has 3,673 career rushing yards, including 1,915 last season — the 13th-best single-season total in NCAA Division I history.

“I would guess he’s a bigger version of a Troy Davis-type back, because he certainly made guys miss tackles,” ISU head coach Dan McCarney said.

Davis, a former Cyclone, is the only back to run for 2,000 yards in a season twice, in 1995 and 1996.

“But [Turner is] a much bigger version,” McCarney said. “He’s a much bigger back.”

McCarney still wasn’t done explaining Turner’s ability.

“The thing you see over and over is how many great plays and how many tough runs and critical runs he makes in that tackle box area,” he said.

“That’s always the mark of a great back.”

Sophomore defensive tackle Nick Leaders said the NIU offense is straightforward but tough to stop.

“A lot of the plays, they just send a lot of linemen in and they just try to push you out of the way and let [Turner] just sneak through out there,” Leaders said. “We’ve got to have great tackling.”

Iowa State has had mixed success stopping other teams’ feature backs in the past. Two weeks ago, the ISU defense held Iowa’s Fred Russell to just 75 yards on 26 carries. In 2002, Boise State’s Brock Forsey, Missouri’s Zack Abron Nebraska’s Dahrran Diedrick all failed to top the 100-yard mark against the Cyclones.

But Iowa State gave up 331 rushing yards to Colorado, 245 to Texas, 239 to Florida State, 223 to Kansas State, 222 to Iowa and 202 to Connecticut, losing all but one of those games.

“We have got to swarm better than we ever have,” McCarney said.

Safety Marc Timmons said the NIU offense as a whole makes few mistakes.

“I think the thing about them that impresses me the most is not only do they play hard, but they’re a well-coached team,” he said.

“You don’t see them get many turnovers [or] penalties.”

McCarney said his defense will need to start creating some turnovers as they go on the road for the first time.

Iowa State has no interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

“That’s way off what our goals are, that’s way off what I expect, and that’s way off what our players expect,” McCarney said.

On offense, the Cyclones will try to improve their running game. Seniors Michael Wagner and Hiawatha Rutland are listed as co-starters at tailback, and senior guard Bob Montgomery may play for the first time this season after suffering a broken foot in fall practice. Senior Collin Menard will start at left guard.

ISU quarterback Austin Flynn said offensive problems aren’t limited to just the offensive line or any other position.

“It’s a combination of things — maybe I’m not calling the right audibles in there,” he said. “We all have to do a little better.”

Saturday will be the first road contest for Flynn and nine other freshmen in the ISU depth chart.

“Would you rather go play somebody that’s not ranked in the top 20 in the country and 3-0? Sure,” McCarney said.

“But that’s the hand we’ve been dealt. We really are looking forward to going to this game.”