The Spotlight Dance

Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn vs. ISU OT Kelechi Osemele

Adrian Clayborn (jr.)

Dimensions -- 6-3, 282

Position -- Defensive end

Back story -- Clayborn had four tackles in last week's victory with a half tackle for loss and a QB hurry.

In the fourth quarter, when the pass rush needed to be clutch, Clayborn provided a hurry and no sacks. He did other things, including a zone blitz coverage on a play in Iowa's end zone. During UNI's penultimate drive, UNI TE Schuylar Oordt lined up over Clayborn and streaked to Iowa's end zone. Clayborn took off and stayed with Oordt. Free safety Brett Greenwood helped break up the pass, but still, it was an interesting look from DC Norm Parker.

On UNI's 12-play drive that pulled the Panthers to 17-16 on Billy Hallgren's 39-yard field goal, Clayborn was replaced by sophomore Lebron Daniel for three plays.

Iowa's two sacks last week came from tackles Christian Ballard and Karl Klug.

Last week, UNI LT Austin Howard (6-7, 319) kept Clayborn in check. This week, ISU LT Kelechi Osemele presents a human marathon. He's 6-5, 349. You need GPS and maybe a sack lunch just to run around him.

Kelechi Osemele (so.)

Dimensions -- 6-5, 349 (In football weight, that's three Brett Greenwoods)

Position -- Left tackle

Back story -- The giant from Houston found the starting lineup in his first season of eligibility, starting four games at left tackle and one at right guard as a redshirt freshman last season.

At some point during the Cyclones' 34-17 victory over North Dakota State, Osemele was helped off the field with cramps. ISU coach Paul Rhoads said all was well.

Don't know a whole lot about Osemele. He picked the Cyclones over Houston, TCU, Missouri, Rice and UTEP.

He's big, obviously, but take a look at his career path. He started four games at LT as a redshirt freshman. That's the same path that Bryan Bulaga took at Iowa. He was a sophomore when he was handed the keys to LT.

Judges?

This should go Clayborn's way, but he showed explosion last week in small doses. In the fourth quarter, when he and DT Karl Klug ran stunts, they weren't particularly effective. A lot of the game, UNI coaches rolled the pocket away from Clayborn and he was left to burn his wheels to the QB from deep on the weak side. On a hot day, the first time out, that probably taxed the gas tank.

ISU's newest offense is no-huddle, full-throttle spread. Clayborn will be charged with contain of QB Austen Arnaud but also will be asked to apply pressure.

Clayborn is a junior. Osemele is a freshman. This should go Clayborn's way, but it's miles from automatic.