Arizona another big test for Iowa State football

AMES — Everything’s normal now — whatever that means.

Iowa State’s expected topsy-turvy start to the 2025 football season has wound through Ireland, its two biggest rivals, a money-saving but perilous road game and, finally, the first of three bye weeks.

So the No. 14 Cyclones (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) drew in a collective deep breath, took stock of the good and bad elements of their first four games, and set their sights on contending for a conference championship for the second straight season.

Eight potential stumbling blocks populate that planned pathway — beginning with suddenly ascendant Arizona (3-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium.

The Wildcats return star quarterback Noah Fifita from last season’s disappointing 4-8 team, but lost elite receiver Tetairoa McMillan to the NFL. Crucially, Arizona also rediscovered a running game this season, and that’s the main reason its off to a relatively hot start entering this weekend’s “white out” game against the Cyclones.

ISU opened as seven-point favorites in a game that will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. So buckle up for what’s likely to be another tense one-score ride — and here are five Wildcats to keep front of mind as Saturday night’s matchup unfolds:

QB Noah Fifita

What the 5-foot-10, 186-pound junior from Huntington Beach, Calif. lacks in size, he makes up for with moxie and gamesmanship.

Fifita has thrown six touchdown passes to zero interceptions this season after struggling with his accuracy in 2024 — and he’s also become a more willing and able participant in the run game. Fifita rushed for a career-high 48 yards and two touchdowns in Arizona’s 23-17 win over Kansas State two weeks ago.

That’s a big new wrinkle in Fifita’s game, which ISU defensive coordinator Jon Heacock must account for in addition to the Wildcats’ big play threats in the passing game. Fifita’s also been sacked seven times through three games, however, so if the Cyclones can mount a solid pass rush, he could be forced into that first interception or two of the season.

S Genesis Smith

Cyclone fans fondly remember former walk-on men’s basketball player Conrad Hawley, who was tabbed as the “Chief Energy Officer” on some of head coach T.J. Otzelberger’s most successful teams.

Well, Smith has earned that moniker with the Wildcats — but his contributions go well beyond the symbolic. Smith leads Arizona in tackles this season with 19 and also boasts a team-best four passes defended. The 6-2, 202-pound junior also is one of five Wildcats with one interception after snaring three in 2024. Smith ranked third on the team in tackles last season and also forced two fumbles while recovering one, making him a ball hawk with a strong track record.

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RB Ismail Mahdi

The twice-transferred 5-9, 186-pound senior rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season at Texas State and has picked up where he left off to help revive Arizona’s long-lost running game.

Mahdi’s shifty and strong, capable of eluding and running over would-be tacklers despite his relatively small frame. He showcased those wide-ranging abilities two weeks ago in the win over Kansas State, rushing for 189 yards on 22 carries while also collecting two catches for 32 yards.

Mahdi’s rushed for 100-plus yards eight times in his career and will pose a problem for the Cyclones’ defense if he’s able to ramble freely into the second and third levels.

WR Javin Whatley

The 5-10, 167-pound speedster from Rockmart, Ga., has methodically climbed the ranks throughout his college career and boasts 20 career touchdown catches — including a team-leading two this season.

Whatley’s averaging 18.2 yards per catch through three games after transferring in from Chattanooga and can strike from inside, outside or even out of the backfield in the Wildcats’ offense. His quick-hitting qualities perfectly complement Arizona’s rebuilt running game that can thrive at any tempo.

LB Chase Kennedy

Kennedy, a former Utah transfer, has just eight tackles this season, but two of those have been sacks.

The 6-3, 228-pound junior’ has also forced and recovered a fumble, so he’s a playmaker even when he’s unable to make a stop. Kennedy also recovered a fumble last season — and seven of his career 31 tackles as a Wildcat have been for loss.

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com