Iowa State heads to Ohio

ATHENS, Ohio — The Iowa State football team looks to bounce back from its Cy-Hawk loss on the road as it faces Ohio on Saturday.

Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. The game will be televised by ESPNU.

The Cyclones (1-1 overall) staged a late rally against the Hawkeyes, but came up short in a 20-13 home setback. Iowa built a 17-0 lead and hung on from there.

Head coach Matt Campbell’s squad has been rock solid defensively so far, surrendering only 279 yards to Northern Iowa and 235 to Iowa. The Bobcats (2-1) have been anchored by their defense as well, as Ohio has yet to allow more than 20 points in its three contests to date.

ISU quarterback Rocco Becht has completed 58 percent of his passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Cartevious Norton has rushed for 108 yards, with Abu Sama adding 64. Cyclone receiver Jayden Higgins has nine catches for 110 yards.

Safety Jeremiah Cooper leads the nation with three interceptions on defense for Iowa State.

The Bobcats expect their regular quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, back at full-strength this week. Rourke, an all-MAC selection, threw for 3,256 yards and 25 touchdowns last year, completing 69 percent of his passes. He suffered an injury in the team’s opener — a 20-13 loss at San Diego State — but reutrned last Saturday, throwing for 203 yards in a 17-10 victory at Florida Atlantic.

Ohio was 10-4 last season, losing in the MAC championship. The Bobcats are only allowing 60 yards of rushing per game so far in 2023, led by senior linebacker Bryce Houston.