Iowa State:
Abu Sama III – Running back
Sama didn’t really break out until last season’s snowy game against Kansas State, where he ripped off 276 yards and three touchdowns on 17.3 yards per carry. It was the first and only game of the regular season that Sama had over 10 rushing attempts.
That will certainly change this season. Last season, Iowa State had a loaded backfield with Eli Sanders and Cartevious Norton both getting more carries per game than Sama. This season, Sama will be the feature back and I think he gets his season started with a big game against North Dakota.
JJ Kohl – Quarterback
I might be getting ahead of myself here and assuming the Cyclones get up big early in this game, but if they do, I’ll be interested to see what Kohl can do coming in to relieve Rocco Becht.
Kohl was a highly regarded prospect coming out of Ankeny High School. Many thought he would be getting the reins to the starting job this year. No one could’ve predicted how good Becht was last year and it’s safe to say the job is his until he leaves.
I would like to see Kohl get the opportunity to show his development this season and I think this would be the perfect week to get him a decent amount of snaps.
Darien Porter – Defensive back
Porter is entering his sixth season with Iowa State and he is expected to start for the first time in his career Saturday. Porter has been a special teams standout for the Cyclones for years, blocking three punts in his career.
He made the switch from wide receiver to defensive back in 2022 and has appeared on defense in plenty of games, but this will be the first time in his career that he will see extended playing time at cornerback. I’m interested to see how he performs in his first game as a starter.
North Dakota:
Simon Romfo – Quarterback
The quarterback is always going to be a player you need to watch. In this game in particular, there isn’t much information about North Dakota’s quarterback. Romfo was the third-string quarterback for the Fighting Hawks last year, but after the starter transferred to Michigan State, the job opened up. Romfo was able to beat out last year’s backup Trey Feeney to win the starting job. Romfo has only thrown three passes in his career, so it will be interesting to see how he performs in his first start.
Wyatt Pedigo – Linebacker
Pedigo seems to me to be the best player on North Dakota’s defense. He led the team with 72 tackles and led the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) with four fumble recoveries. Pedigo also recorded 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Pedigo had his best game last year against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent when he recorded 10 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble against Boise State. He’s played great against FBS teams in the past, maybe he’ll do it again.
Bo Belquist – Wide receiver
Belquist led the team in receptions and was 25th nationally in receptions last year in the FCS. He also led the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns with 772 yards and six touchdowns. If there is one weapon on this Fighting Hawks team that can give the Cyclones’ defense some trouble, it’s Belquist.
