AMES — Jacob Gannon has returned.
Iowa State athletics announced Gannon — an offensive tackle who quit the team mid-week after a 34-14 season-opening loss to North Dakota State — is once again a Cyclone.
Gannon, a 6-7, 306-pound senior from Iowa City who started nine games in the past two seasons, could bolster an offensive line hit hard by injuries for the second year in a row.
He said in a statement he’d been recently diagnosed with anxiety — something that clearly factored into his abrupt exit from the team,
"I am receiving treatment for my condition and I am looking forward to being a part of the football team," Gannon said. "I want to thank Coach (Paul) Rhoads and my teammates for their support.”
Rhoads said he welcomed Gannon back.
"We are behind Jacob 100 percent and will continue to support him throughout the process," Rhoads said.
Gannon’s departure became magnified as lnjury issues continued to mount on the offensive line.
During fall camp, backup center Ben Loth hurt his MCL so severely it required surgery. The senior’s career is over.
Center and senior captain Tom Farniok missed most of the North Dakoa State game after sustaining an MCL strain, but came right back to perform to his typical high standards against Kansas State and Iowa.
Starting guard Daniel Burton suffered an apparent leg injury Saturday against the Hawkeyes and his status for the Sept. 27 matchup with Baylor — officially, at least — is uncertain.
Burton’s could be good to go for the Sept. 27 matchup with No. 7 Baylor still a ways off, but the same can’t be said for backup guard Jacob Dunning, who endured a ruptured patella tendon in the Iowa win.
The sophomore’s done for the season.
Gannon is a two-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection, Gannon is Iowa State’s recipient for the National Football Foundation’s (NFF) Scholar Athlete Award.
