Iowa State Cyclones linebacker O’Rien Vance (34) and defensive back Anthony Johnson Jr. (1) takes down Ohio Bobcats running back Sieh Bangura (22) during the first quarter at Jack Trice Stadium Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.
It’s no secret, Iowa State will have to rely on its defense this Saturday in its matchup against Texas in Austin.
The unit has followed up the stout non-conference stretch with more strong performances and comes into its seventh game of the season ranked 11th in the country in total defense.
Paired with the offensive struggles Iowa State has faced in recent weeks, the defense will have a lot on its shoulders.
Texas, led by a now-healthy Quinn Ewers, put up 49 points last week against its biggest rival in Oklahoma. However, Oklahoma’s defense ranks 117th in the aforementioned total defense stat.
“I feel like they’re just more comfortable altogether,” Iowa State defensive back Myles Purchase said. “Their staff was pretty new last year. I just think they’re more comfortable in their quarterback situation. They’re putting playmakers in positions to make plays. That’s something we have to take care of.”
Regardless of how high-powered the Longhorns are on offense, Iowa State will have its trust in the unit that’s been almost as good as it can be this year.
It will need to have itself ready for a performance similar to the 14 and 10 points it has allowed in the last two weeks to Kansas and Kansas State, respectively.
“It’s definitely a challenge, especially with the playmaking they have on the outside,” Purchase said. “It’s a challenge, but it’s one that I’m looking forward to.”
Part of the performance from that side of the football this year comes from the playmaking of its leaders at the core.
Senior Anthony Johnson’s chase-down forced fumble embodies just that.
“When I’m done here, I hope that play epitomizes our time here at Iowa State,” coach Matt Campbell said. “To what we’ve coached and to what we hope to be. He is what we said we’re about as coaches… that’s who we want to be. That’s what we hope to be about.”
It’s a trait that reflects on younger players like the sophomore Purchase.
“For him to be a leader, to be a guy that’s been here for so long, (when I see him) making plays like that it makes me just all the more wanting to make plays just as well as he does,” Purchase said. “A-players have got to make A-plays, and that was an A-play right there. That’s really a testament to what our whole defense is about – just running to the ball, always.”
The defense may also need other names to step up, depending on the health of linebacker Colby Reeder.
Campbell said that Reeder may be very limited, but responded well Sunday to his injury in the Kansas State game.
“Reeder was a lot better on Sunday than maybe what we thought it was gonna be, so I think we’re hopeful in terms of where he’s at now and going forward,” Campbell said.
That will play a part in the defense’s ability on Saturday as will the offense’s ability to move the ball.
The question is just if it will be enough.
