In Thursday’s season opener against Indiana State, the Cyclones must prepare themselves for a trio of defensive talents that hope to boost the Sycamores to an upset victory in Ames.

Up front, Indiana State features a pair of talented defensive contributors.

Shannon Jackson, a senior defensive end, comes into the game with the reputation of being one of the top defensive linemen in Division 1-AA.

Despite missing four games due to a knee injury last season, Jackson managed to nab second-team All-Gateway Conference honors.

Jackson finished second on the team with three sacks, also collecting 53 tackles.

In the previous two seasons, Jackson had a combined 14 sacks and 134 tackles.

In 1997, Jackson was a third-team All-American pick by the Football Gazette and a unanimous first-team All-Gateway Conference member.

Jackson led the team in sacks and in tackles for losses, making 14 stops for a loss of over 40 yards.

As a freshman in 1996, Jackson was an honorable mention All-Gateway conference pick, leading the team in sacks and starting every game.

Senior defensive end Troy Lefevra has been a solid performer in each of the past three seasons for the Sycamores but had a breakthrough season in 1998.

After totaling 96 tackles and five sacks as a freshman and sophomore, Lefevra exploded, finishing second on the team in tackles with 86 and leading the team with 11 sacks.

Against Murray State, he set a school record by recording four sacks in one game.

Lefevra’s play earned him first-team All-American honors by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette as well as first-team All-Gateway Conference honors.

The final member of the Sycamores’ impressive defensive triumvirate is DeJuan Alfonzo, a 6-0, 205-pound senior cornerback.

Alfonzo is a multi-faceted player who not only starts in the defensive backfield, but also returns kicks, blocks punts and may see time as a wide receiver in 1999.

Starting all 11 games in 1998, Alfonzo led the team with four interceptions for 78 yards, an average of 19.5 yards per interception.

He also led the team by breaking up 10 passes.

Alfonzo was named first-team All-Gateway in 1998 and second-team All-Gateway as a return specialist.

As a junior in 1997, Alfonzo was named second-team All-Gateway Conference with 49 tackles and three interceptions.

Against Western Kentucky last season, Alfonzo made three tackles, blocked a punt, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.

For his efforts, he was named the Rawlings/GFC Defensive Player of the Week.

These three athletes boast impressive credentials coming into the game against Iowa State, in spite of the fact that Indiana State plays at the Division 1-AA level.

If the Cyclones hope to pull out a victory against Indiana State on Thursday, coach Dan McCarney will have to make sure his offense can contain the Sycamores’ three defensive standouts.