Bison Top Opponents in 2020: Isaiah Weston

The ramp up to the 2020 North Dakota State football season begins with a look at the top players the Bison will face this year.

Northern Iowa always gets NDSU's attention when the Panthers come up on the schedule. Not only because the rivalry between the teams, but UNI traditionally has some tremendous players. From LJ Fort to David Johnson to Xavior Williams, Bison fans have gotten used to the fact that UNI will be a thorn in the side.

Isaiah Weston is the next in a long line of standout players for the Panthers. The 6'4, 208 pound wide receiver broke thru in 2019 as Will McElvain's top downfield target. Weston missed all of the 2018 season with a medical redshirt entered last year as a rare fourth year sophomore. His ability to make plays downfield was on display in the early part of the season, racking up seven straight games with a touchdown. He had four consecutive 100 yard games, including 129 against the Bison in mid-October. Weston followed that up with 189 yards and three touchdowns against South Dakota and then 157 yards and two scores against Missouri State.

Weston battled some injuries at the end of the season as UNI won without him on the road in Brookings in the second round of the FCS playoffs. His absence was notable in the Panthers quarterfinal loss to James Madison as McElvain had no downfield weapons with Briley Moore and Deion McShane also out. Moore has moved on to Kansas State, but with McShane and Weston healthy the Panthers have as a talented top receiver tandem in the Missouri Valley.

Weston will be challenged in the first month of the season with games against Iowa, Weber State and NDSU, all who play terrific defense. He's not going to sneak up on any defense in 2020 which also will be a challenge for the junior wide out but make no mistake he's one of the best players NDSU will see this upcoming fall.