FARGO - Preparing for the new, Mark Mangino-led offensive attack of Iowa State has been difficult, said North Dakota State head coach Chris Klieman, because the Bison aren’t sure exactly what they’re going to see. On the flipside, the Bison aren’t sure what they’re going to see with the Cyclones’ defense.
Perhaps the Cyclones aren’t sure, either.
“There’s probably no place that you can point to where we don’t need to improve on,” said ISU head coach Paul Rhoads.
It was rough going for the Cyclones defense last year surrendering 36 points and 463 yards a game. Moreover, three of the team’s top four tacklers graduated including leading tackler Jeremiah George, who was a first-team all-Big 12 Conference selection.
The top returning tackler, senior linebacker Jared Brackens, was listed as a backup on Monday’s ISU depth chart. Brackens is tied for the team lead in consecutive starts with 12.
Rhoads said improvement has to start with run defense. Defensive tackle Brandon Jensen and defensive end Cory Morrissey both return, but noseguard Devlyn Cousin and defensive end Mitchell Meyers will get their first starts.
Freshman Alton Meeks will get his first start at middle linebacker when the season kicks off for both teams Saturday morning at 11.
“We’ve been working diligently from winter, spring and fall training camp doing exactly that,” Rhoads said. “It’s about having enough people schematically in the box to stop the run game, to tackle better, to fit better, to control the passing game downfield with coverage and pursuit and getting more pressure on the quarterback.”
Rhoads said he wasn’t particularly pleased with his pass defense last year, either. The Cyclones gave up 239 yards a game in the air and had only 15 quarterback sacks in 12 games.
They finished last in the Big 12 in scoring defense, last in rushing defense and seventh in passing defense.
It’s a direct contrast to the style of play that got the Cyclones to the 2009 Insight Bowl, 2011 New Era Pinstripe Bowl and the 2012 Liberty Bowl. Although 2013 wasn’t as productive, they did end the year shutting out Kansas – the first shut out of a league opponent since 2001.
Rhoads said turnover margin is his No. 1 key statistic in any faction of the game.
“Run offense and run defense would be next,” he said.
In the case of Saturday’s matchup, an effective run defense against NDSU’s power-based West Coast offense would be a big switch from a year ago.
