AMES (AP) — Greg Schoon’s Iowa State football career is nearing an end and he seems determined to finish with a flourish.

Schoon, the Cyclones’ senior nose guard, played the best game of his career in ISU’s 24-17 victory over Baylor last Saturday and was named the Big 12’s defensive player of the week.

The 6-foot-3, 286-pounder from Sioux Rapids made a career-high 13 tackles and had three of Iowa State’s seven sacks. His sacks produced 27 yards in losses.

Schoon’s effort came after he had done little in the Cyclones’ previous games. He had only 29 tackles going into Saturday.

“Greg has made up his mind these last few weeks of the season to play the best football of his career,” ISU Coach Dan McCarney said Monday. “His career is winding down. He’s in the twilight of his football career. I’m very happy for him.”

McCarney said the Cyclones’ didn’t run any special schemes on Schoon’s sacks.

“He just really did a great job from a technique standpoint,” McCarney said. “Those were great effort plays on his part.”

Schoon’s play was part of a strong overall performance by the defense, which has been hit hard by injuries this season and has four freshmen starting. That unit was helped in the Baylor game by the return of defensive backs Dustin Avey, Dawan Anderson and Kevin Wilson from injuries.

“We’re getting some chemistry and togetherness and consistency of having the same guys in that huddle,” McCarney said. “I’m sure that helps everybody’s performance.”