PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Brock Purdy continues to dominate. The true freshman not only has the school record for touchdown passes by a freshman already, he’s got the single-season record in his sights. That stands at 20 TD passes, meaning he needs just eight more over the remaining month of the regular season, plus a likely bowl game.
–WR Hakeem Butler is tops in the nation at 24 yards per catch. He’s emerged over the past year, shifting from a dangerous counterweight to Allen Lazard in 2017 to become a legitimate candidate to leave early for the NFL Draft this offseason. In last week’s victory over Kansas, he had touchdown receptions of 83 and 51 yards.
–DB Greg Eisworth had a big game against Kansas, leading the team with eight tackles. The junior college transfer hasn’t wasted any time shoring up the Cyclones secondary.
–DE Matt Leo played well in his first start last week. He had three tackles, two of which were for a loss, and likely will get the start again this week against Baylor.
SERIES HISTORY: Baylor leads Iowa State 9-7. The Cyclones won 23-13 when the teams met a year ago.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The thing that I’ve always really respected about Brock from the day we recruited him, is that he’s always trying to do something. He wasn’t trying to be somebody else. He wasn’t trying to be the next this or the next that. He’s just Brock. He just goes about his business. He’s very matter-of-fact in how he goes about it, and really doesn’t fall for all the other fluff stuff.” — Coach Matt Campbell in the Des Moines Register, on freshman quarterback Brock Purdy.
