AMES – One word that is synonymous with the Iowa State football team is growth. Everywhere you look and everyone within the program mentions that word more than any other.
Throughout non-conference play, that was the goal of those three games: to grow. Whether it was the offense being under new leadership with offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser or the defense navigating injuries within the linebacker room, both sides of the ball have seen tremendous amounts of growth.
“The mentality to sustain success, it’s hard in our business,” head coach Matt Campbell said. “The one benefit that our kids do have is that we have some veterans that have been through hard [times].”
Campbell has mentioned every week that the goal remains the same: to get better every day. Again, growth.
Growth comes from leadership and Campbell certainly has been that throughout his time at Iowa State. With a win on Saturday, he would take the all-time wins lead over Dan McCarney.
“[McCarney] has been an unbelievable mentor,” Campbell said. “He’s meant the world to our alumni. He’s meant the world to our coaching staff and our kids here. Anytime he’s around our program, we cherish it and really appreciate what he’s done.”
A moment in history is right around the corner for Campbell and his players could not be more happy for him.
“We all love coach Campbell,” senior defensive back Beau Freyler said. “He won’t say anything about it, but we’ll be happy for him.”
Freyler, a captain for the second straight year, has been instrumental in leading the defense. He has recorded 20 total tackles and intercepted a pass through three games.
Right along with him is junior defensive back Malik Verdon, who leads the team with 23 total tackles and also has an interception.
“[Verdon has] always had the talent,” Freyler said. “He’s just putting it all together and I’m super proud of him.”
As a whole, the defense allowed less than 10 points per game in non-conference games and has kept every opponent under 20 points.
Opposing quarterbacks have struggled to perform well against the Cyclone secondary. The combined passing numbers of every quarterback who has faced Iowa State this season include a less than 50% completion percentage, one passing touchdown and five interceptions.
With the secondary performing at such a high level, it has allowed the young linebacker room to ease in and get a feel for everything.
Sophomore Kooper Ebel and junior Jacob Ellis have taken over as the leaders of the linebackers, after Caleb Bacon and Will McLaughlin were sidelined due to injuries.
Ebel and Ellis are the next two behind Verdon and Freyler in total tackles, with 18 and 16, respectively. The next two linebackers in total tackles are freshman Cael Brezina (six) and redshirt junior Zachary Lovett (five).
“We have really young linebackers,” junior defensive lineman Domonique Orange said. “College football is totally different from high school football. It’s been great for the linebackers to kick it into gear.”
The part of the defense that has been quiet but consistent has been the defensive line. With another multitude of high-level players, a lot have seen playing time and have contributed to the success of the team.
“We’ve been able to stop the run a lot more,” Orange said. “We had a slow start.”
Senior defensive lineman J.R. Singleton, a captain along with Freyler, leads the defensive line with 10 tackles and two sacks.
For the defense to continue to thrive, the defensive backs will have to maintain their high level of play. The linebackers may need a third player to step up and rise to ensure that the room stays strong and grows as the Big 12 season progresses.
