Iowa State down 2 defensive starters for Liberty Bowl vs. Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Iowa State (7-5) will be down two key secondary members during Saturday's Liberty Bowl against No. 20 Memphis (10-2).

Safety Kamari Cotton-Moya was suspended for violation of team rules and defensive back Evrett Edwards is ineligible to play, an Iowa State spokesperson said.

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Cotton-Moya is a captain for this year's Iowa State team and was a four-year starter. Edwards was a graduate transfer from Duke who started last year and this year at the STAR position

Redshirt freshman Lawrence White is listed as Cotton Moya's back up. White hasn't seen a lot of time this season; his season-high in tackles is three against Akron. The other safety that could see time is redshirt sophomore Braxton Lewis. Lewis had four tackles against Texas Tech and an interception against Akron.

Edwards' backup is listed as redshirt freshman Aaron Austin. Austin has played in four games, recording zero statistics. The more likely backup for Edwards is redshirt junior cornerback De'Monte Ruth. Ruth has been a key special teams player for Iowa State and a productive backup in the secondary. Ruth recorded 26 tackles this season, including seven against Texas.

Memphis' passing attack, led by QB Riley Ferguson, ranks eighth in the FBS with 339.1 yards per game. Ferguson has thrown for 3,971 yards, 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.