5 West Virginia players to know against Iowa State football

AMES — Iowa State is 5-0 for the first time since the prime time soap opera “Dallas” gripped TV viewers, and Dolly Parton sang about working “9 to 5.”

It’s been 44 years since the Cyclones (who are also 2-0 in Big 12 play) carried that mark into Week 6 — and it’s been 86 years since ISU emerged from its sixth game with a spotless record. So these are heady times for the cardinal-and-gold-clad faithful, but surging West Virginia (3-2, 2-0) aims to provide a reality check.

The Mountaineers own a comeback win over Kansas and dominated Oklahoma State on the road, 38-14, Saturday, so they’re bursting with confidence heading into Saturday’s 7 p.m. meeting with the No. 11 Cyclones, which will air nationally on Fox.

Here are five West Virginia players to know in advance of the intriguing matchup:

RB C.J. Donaldson

The Mountaineers’ workhorse in the backfield furnishes the thunder alongside big-play back Jahiem White’s lightning.

The 6-foot-22, 238-pound junior leads his team in carries (71), rushing yards (361) and touchdowns on the ground (five). White’s rushed for four touchdowns and averages 6.3 yards per carry to Donaldson’s 5.1, so they’re a dynamic duo for a West Virginia team that ranks third in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game at 223.0.

Donaldson rushed for a season-high two touchdowns in last week’s rout of Oklahoma State and is trusted to grind out the necessary yards when the field shrinks and opposing defenses load the box. He led Mountaineers backs in touchdown runs last season with 11 and has reached the end zone at least once in 13 of his past 15 games.

TE Kole Taylor

The 6-7, 255-pound senior from Grand Junction, Colo., doesn’t compile gaudy numbers, but tends to make winning plays when they’re needed the most.

Taylor is tied for the team lead with two touchdown grabs this season — and his latest score came in the closing minutes of a 32-28 comeback win over Kansas. He’s one of veteran quarterback Garrett Greene’s most trusted targets and also is a skilled blocker. Taylor’s recorded multiple receptions in eight straight games dating back to last season and led West Virginia tight ends with four touchdowns in 2023.

QB Garrett Greene

Greene saw some of the first action of his career in mop-up duty of a 42-6 loss to the Cyclones in 2020, and will make his first start against ISU this weekend, as the two teams haven’t met since 2022.

The 5-11, 201-pound senior from Tallahassee, Fla., was one of five West Virginia players to earn the “Iron Mountaineer Award” entering this season, so his toughness is well established even as his accuracy has continued to be an issue.

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Greene has completed 57.1 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns and four interceptions, but provides added value with his legs. He scored a combined 29 touchdowns last season (16 passing, 13 rushing) and that trend carried over to this fall. Greene rushed for a season-best 86 yards in last week’s win over Oklahoma State and notched his third rushing touchdown of the season. He’s broken off a run of 20-plus yards in each of the past four games, so the Cyclones may place a spy on him to limit his productivity in that area.

Greene got injured in last week’s win, and as of Monday afternoon, his status for Saturday’s game is uncertain. If he can’t play, sophomore Nicco Marchiol will get the start.

LB Tyrin Bradley Jr.

The 6-2, 255-pound former transfer ranks third among West Virginia linebackers with 23 total tackles this season, but excels in augmenting the defensive line’s push by rushing the quarterback off the edge.

Bradley serves as a Swiss Army knife of sorts for the Mountaineers’ defense. The senior boasts 1.5 sacks, one interception and a forced fumble that he recovered to seal the potential season-saving comeback win over Kansas in the team’s Big 12 season opener.

WR Hudson Clement

The 6-1, 198-pound sophomore is a former Randy Moss Award winner, which honors West Virginia’s best high school wide receiver.

Clement’s only caught one touchdown pass this season but is a constant big-play threat who’s averaged over 21 yards per catch in the past two games. He tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions last season with four.

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com