Isaac Terrell gave Iowa State exactly what it needed in Week 1, and now the Cyclones are leaning on him again for one of the biggest jobs on the schedule.
In the opener against Southeast Missouri State, Terrell was everywhere. He piled up three sacks, spent the night living in the backfield, and kept the quarterback under constant pressure.
For a team that turned over plenty of pieces in the offseason, that kind of performance stood out immediately. It also looked like the kind of tone-setting game the Cyclones were hoping to get as the Jimmy Rogers era got underway.
What makes Terrell such a central figure now is not just the numbers from one game. He already played in the system of the head coach and defensive coordinator a year ago, and that familiarity matters.
He is the veteran presence, the leader, and the player who seems to be finding his best form at the right time. When Iowa State needs somebody to steady things, Terrell is the obvious answer.
That matters even more because the Cyclones’ identity starts up front. Their defensive line, especially on the edge, is the group that defines this defense.
Caden Crawford and Malaki Ta’ase are part of that picture too, and the room has a chance to be one of the best in the Big 12 Conference. A strong showing in Week 1 only adds to that confidence heading into Iowa City, IA.
Iowa State’s run defense was also a major part of the opening win, holding Southeast Missouri State to just 67 yards on the ground. But Week 2 brings a different challenge.
The Hawkeyes have Kamari Moulton, one of the best running backs in the entire country, and slowing him down is going to be a major test. If the Cyclones can do that, they’ll give themselves a real shot, and pressure from Terrell will be a big part of making it happen.
For Iowa State, this is the kind of game that calls for its best players to deliver. Terrell already showed he can do that in Week 1, and now the Cyclones need their captain to bring that same edge again.
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Iowa State Heads Into Jimmy Rogers First Cy-Hawk With One Big Unknown
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For Iowa State, the emphasis has been on the Hawkeyes offense as a whole rather than trying to chase one name off the depth chart. Defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit said the focus is on Iowas scheme, while players such as wide receiver Tony Diaz and Iowa States Isaac Terrell loom as key pieces in a game that already carries its usual emotion and now adds one more layer of uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]