Rob Gray

Here’s a list of five of Iowa State’s most improved players heading into Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. Cy-Hawk game against the Hawkeyes at Jack Trice Stadium.

Relief merged with excitement for Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht early in Saturday’s season opener, allowing him to relax into his initial start — a 30-9 win over UNI that was never close.

Jeremiah Cooper’s interception returned for a 58-yard touchdown successfully set the Cyclones’ winning tone early in a 30-9 triumph over the Panthers on a sultry Saturday afternoon at Jack Trice Stadium.

New Iowa State offensive line coach Ryan Clanton has elevated the competition and camaraderie in that room to such heights that the burliest Cyclones have happily settled into a simpatico state known as “mudita.”

The Big 12 is replete with accomplished quarterbacks, but it’s likely UNI’s Theo Day will be one of the best play-callers Iowa State faces in 2023. Here are three keys for the Cyclones and a score prediction.

Carson Willich enters Saturday’s Iowa State football season-opener perched atop the depth chart at Sam linebacker. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound kinesiology major is fully healthy and poised to make his first career start — but he’s not alone in that regard.

Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock is firmly convinced Northern Iowa quarterback Theo Day will eventually play on Sundays. But first, he and his defense must face Day on Saturday.

Iowa State has won the past three meetings with Northern Iowa, but three of the latest four matchups have been decided by six or fewer points. Here are five Panthers to watch in Saturday’s season opener.

Iowa State redshirt freshman Rocco Becht might have taken by far the most snaps at quarterback Friday night during the annual event that gives children with disabilities dozens of touchdown-scoring moments at Jack Trice Stadium, but that doesn’t mean he’s the No. 1 quarterback.

Cartevious Norton is Iowa State’s leading returning rusher since Jirehl Brock recently left the team, but he’s not alone in a crowded backfield — and Cyclones football coach Matt Campbell said several players could contribute to a running game that ranked last in the Big 12 last season.

Beau Freyler — an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection as a freshman and a sophomore — ranked second on the Iowa State team in tackles last season with 68. He also notched his first career interception while forcing a fumble, so he’s a hard-hitting disruptor capable of making game-changing plays.

Iowa State simply can’t win with regularity when it's ranked 118th or worse in any — let alone three — special teams categories. As a result, Cyclones football coach Matt Campbell brought in Jordan Langs to coordinate those units while also coaching the running backs.

Easton Dean’s physical struggles last season mirrored Iowa State’s as a whole. Now he stands front and center for a group looking to serve as a so-called security blanket as the Cyclones break in a new quarterback.

Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange stands 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 335 pounds. He’s skilled and explosive on the defensive interior, tearing through the trenches with brute force and bad intentions.

Jirehl Brock, Iowa State’s leading rusher last season, has voluntarily left the program, an ISU athletics spokesperson confirmed Monday to The Gazette.