Iowa State:
Rocco Becht – Quarterback
Becht looked like a seasoned veteran in week one against North Dakota. His 77% completion percentage, 267-yard, three total touchdown performance will need to hold true again if Iowa State wants to have success against Iowa.
In last year’s Cy-Hawk game, Becht threw 44 times and completed only 23 of those attempts for 203 yards. The nail in the coffin in the 20-13 loss for the Cyclones was the pick-six Becht threw.
Now, having a full season under his belt, Becht should be in for a solid day, even though Iowa State will enter the ruckus environment that is Kinnick Stadium.
Jontez Williams – Defensive back
In the 2023 season, Williams recorded six tackles. After one game in 2024, Williams nearly doubled that number, with 11 tackles against North Dakota.
Williams led the team in tackles in week one and will be put to the test when he lines up against wide receivers such as Reece Vander Zee.
I liked what I saw out of Williams in week one and if he can do half as good as he did in the opening game, he will be in for a big day.
The entire linebacker room
I know this is not one specific player, but it stems from one: Caleb Bacon.
Bacon was carted off the field Saturday due to a lower leg injury. He underwent a successful surgery Sunday and head coach Matt Campbell hopes Bacon can return later in the season.
Linebacker Will McLaughlin will also not play due to an injury. With those two out, the Cyclones will need players like Kooper Ebel, Jacob Ellis, John Klosterman, Zachary Lovett, Jack Sadowsky V, and the rest of the room to step up.
The run defense struggled last week and the loss of Bacon will do nothing to help it.
Iowa:
Kaleb Johnson – Running back
Johnson ripped off 119 yards on 11 carries for two touchdowns in Iowa’s season opener against Illinois State. He will be the feature back for the Hawkeyes this season and will have a strong offensive line paving the way for him.
Last year, Johnson ran the ball 15 times for 28 yards against Iowa State. Knowing the problems within the linebacker room and how the Cyclones struggled against the run in game one, Johnson should be in for another big game.
Jay Higgins – Linebacker
Like Williams for Iowa State, Higgins led Iowa in tackles with seven in the Hawkeye’s first game. He also got his hands up and deflected a pass.
In his junior season, Higgins recorded 171 total tackles, two sacks and an interception. He will be a threat in the middle of the field and will likely be the one to keep Iowa State’s run game in check.
Reece Vander Zee – Wide receiver
The focal point of the Iowa receivers last week, Vander Zee caught two touchdown passes in the win over the Redbirds. With five catches for 66 yards, he showed that the Hawkeyes have firepower through the air.
Though Vander Zee is a freshman, he has already proven he can be a big asset to the Iowa offense. He is already one touchdown away from the total amount of touchdowns that the Hawkeyes receivers had last season.
