Jacob Gannon takes on defenders, algorithms

 By Rob Gray

 Correspondent

 AMES - Before Iowa State tackle Jacob Gannon became ensnared in what coach Paul Rhoads has dubbed the “year of the MCL,” he'd developed into arguably the team's most productive offensive lineman.

Thus, the MCL gods struck the former Iowa City West star down - via an anonymous Texas Tech player that fell into his knee in the 42-35 loss Oct. 12 at Lubbock.

Gannon became the third, but not the last, Cyclone to see that vital ligament damaged to the point that he couldn't play.

All of them, up to then, were offensive lineman.

“It's unbelievable,” Gannon said.

Now it's beginning to be a thing of the past.

Gannon expects to play for the Cyclones (1-7, 0-5) in Saturday's 11 a.m. Big 12 matchup with TCU (3-6, 1-5), which should bolster hopes of opening holes against a robust defensive front that ranks second in the league in rushing defense (126.9 yards per game) and boasts a conference-leading 26 sacks.

He joins center and leader Tom Farniok (MCL vs. Northern Iowa) and emerging guard Jamison Lalk (MCL, Iowa) in getting back on the field after missing time with knee injuries.

“He went through everything (Tuesday) and did not have any swelling associated with it this morning,” Rhoads said Wednesday. “I think Jacob will be ready to play.”

That's potentially huge news, even though Rhoads said a positive return would entail getting “20-30-plus snaps in.”

A limited Gannon still amounts to an overall upgrade in terms of depth and, possibly, production.

And helping devise solutions for problems is a bit of a speciality.

Gannon's major?

Computer Science.

His toughest classroom challenge?

“Algorithms; designing and implementing algorithms,” Gannon said.

And, for the layperson?

“Say you have any problem,” Gannon explained, “you just try to find the easiest way to fix it, like writing code for the easiest way for the computer to solve it.”

Gannon helped clear the way for leading rusher Aaron Wimberly in back-to-back 100-yard games against Tulsa and Texas.

And Wimberly, who's missed the past two games because of shoulder and hamstring injuries, also is expected to be back in the lineup against the Horned Frogs.

“I believe he'll play,” Rhoads said Wednesday.

Gannon's primed to continue playing at the high level he established after a rocky start.

“UNI, especially, was a really bad game for me,” the junior said. “Then I started to pick things up. My footwork improved. It was a lot different - a lot of what we're doing, like pass sets and footwork's a lot different than what we were doing when coach (Bill) Bleil was (offensive line) coach. It took an adjustment period and I thought things were finally starting to click. Then I sprained my MCL.”

And now he's likely back.

“I think he surprised the medical staff last week with what he did,” Rhoads said.

It's all about the algorithms.

“(Academics are) really big in my family,” Gannon said.