The beating heart of a defense lines up each snap between the brutes on the line and the speedsters in the backfield.

The men in the trenches set the pace and the men in the secondary take away the home run, but it’s a team’s linebacking corps that can quickly turn the tide of any game.

Typically the top athletes on the defense, the linebackers must combine speed and strength with a generous dose of agility.

They have to stuff the run, rush the quarterback and even drop back into coverage much of the time.

For Iowa State, that “beating heart” was in desperate danger of a coronary during the early stages of the 1998 season.

Having lost their two most decorated backers in the departure of four-year starter Michael Cooper and two-year JC transfer Derrik Clark, the Cyclones were looking to junior Dave Brcka to lead the unit.

Unfortunately for the hard-luck Cyclones, Brcka went down early due to injury and was never at 100 percent.

ISU was then forced to look to youngsters like Jim Morse and Eric Weiford and transfers like Jesse Beckom and Ab Turner to get the job done.

The newcomers performed admirably in most contests and return intact for what should be a breakthrough ’99 campaign.

“We’ve come along nicely this fall,” defensive coordinator John Skladany said. “We have some guys that have been playing here for awhile and several young players that will also contribute right away.

“We really have a good blend of experience and youth,” he said.

The experience begins with senior Beckom, the ’98 defensive newcomer of the year in the Big 12.

Beckom piled up 76 tackles, including four for losses and 3.5 sacks.

“With his abilities and the amount of snaps he’s taken out there,” Skladany said, “we hope he’ll have another outstanding season.”

Beckom transferred to ISU in 1997 from Trinity College of Deerfield, Ill., and showed great promise during his transfer season before the impact he made last year.

Brcka also returns to the line at or near full strength after his painful ’98 season.

One of the Cyclones’ top run-stoppers, Brcka managed only 42 tackles last season in limited action after an incredible 194 tackles over his first two years.

“A couple of injuries have slowed him down some in the past,” Skladany said, “but he’s looked strong so far this fall.”

Paired with Brcka at inside linebacker for the Cyclones’ first game will be junior Eric Weiford of Oelwein, Iowa.

Weiford played sparingly in ’98, but impressed coaches enough during spring ball to make the fall two-deep roster. During fall drills, Weiford has come along even further, plunging into the starting lineup for the first time in his career.

“He got some playing time last year, and he’s done a real nice job for us so far this preseason,” Skladany said.

Missing from the lineup in game one will be a couple of familiar faces in Morse and Turner.

“Jim’s been slowed by a hamstring pull, and he’ll probably be missing for a few days,” Skaldany said, “but we hope he’ll be back in time for the Iowa game.”

Turner, on the other hand, was suspended for the first game after being arrested in the off-season for check forgery.

“Of course Turner will be out for the first game,” Skladany said, “and we’re really looking forward to having him back here soon.”

Morse had nine tackles in ’98, while Turner racked up 61, including four for losses.

Supplementing this pool of returning talent will also be a number of newcomers.

True freshmen Chris Whitaker of East St. Louis, Ill., and Matt Word of Miami, Fla., have each earned spots in the Cyclone two-deep for the first game and will likely press the starters for playing time right away.

“I’ve been impressed with their athletic ability,” Skladany said. “They also have good instincts — they both pick things up well.”

Whitaker, who runs a 4.6 second 40-yard dash, earned all-city and all-area honors last year at Altoff Catholic High School.

Word, another track star in the 400-meters, earned all-Dade County honors last year at Miami’s Southridge High School by making 63 tackles and sacking the quarterback a dozen times.