It didn’t take nose guard Greg Schoon very long to make his presence known against Baylor on Saturday.

Iowa State punt returner and defensive back Kevin Wilson took longer for his presence to be known, but he had nearly the same devastating effect on the Baylor offense.

Schoon sacked Baylor quarterback Jeff Watson for a seven-yard loss on the Bears’ third play from scrimmage.

In all, the senior from Sioux Rapids registered three tackles for losses in the 24-17 victory over Baylor.

Schoon was named Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

ISU finished with six sacks Saturday, after only coming up with nine sacks in the first six games combined.

Schoon said that sack increase did not come from a fundamental change by defensive coordinator John Skladany, but rather by simplification.

“We didn’t have a lot of defensive calls like we did in the past, but Coach mixed them up enough,” Schoon said.

Schoon, who at 286 pounds is the Cyclones’ biggest defensive starter, also finished with nine tackles Saturday.

Schoon attributed his sack and tackle total to Baylor’s choice of offense.

“Baylor ran a lot of inside plays and a lot of screens,” he said. “That gives me a chance to run. I guess it was just my day.”

Wilson didn’t make a tackle until the second half, but he had two sacks that stopped Baylor drives, not bad for a guy who has played very little at defensive back this season. Wilson had not recorded a tackle before Saturday’s game.

Wilson said the win will give the team an emotional boost.

“[The victory] gives some people a sense of purpose on our team,” he said. “For the freshmen this is their first victory. Before, they might of thought practice was just something we had to do.”

If the remaining games on Iowa State’s schedule hold added importance to Schoon, it is because he is a senior.

Schoon has started since his sophomore season and realizes his time is limited.

Schoon said ISU Coach Dan McCarney drove home the fact on the Friday before the Baylor game that he has only a few remaining games left.

“Coach said, ‘You have three more chances to play in front of this crowd,'” Schoon said.

“Last year when the seniors played their last game, I was like ‘geez, I only have five more chances, and I still had a full year in front of me.'”

McCarney said he was proud of the way Schoon has played in the last three years, especially in Saturday’s victory.

“He has a chance to finish his career as a darn good college defensive lineman,” McCarney said.

“He has really, really hung with us and done extremely well with this coaching staff, and I couldn’t be more happy with what he did Saturday.”

Schoon and the Cyclone team will journey southwest to take on Kansas in an early Saturday afternoon game Nov. 1. Kickoff time is scheduled for 1 p.m.