Sep 3, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) hurdles Northern Iowa Panthers defensive back Jamison Whiting (29) during the first half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
AMES — True freshman David Montgomery made his first career college start last Thursday in place of the injured Mike Warren. On the Cyclones’ newest depth chart that was released on Monday, there was a change at the starting position.
Montgomery is listed as the starter at tailback alongside fellow freshman Kene Nwangwu and Warren. The three players are listed on the chart with “OR” between their names leading up to Iowa State’s trip to Kansas on Saturday.
“I think it continues to be interesting to see where we’re at. One thing I will say is, all three of our guys were out at practice on Sunday, which was really good to see,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said. “I think the one thing we all feel really good about is you saw those two young guys and I don’t know if they could have played any better on a bigger stage than what they did.”
Montgomery received 10 carries for 44 yards before being knocked out of the game by concussion-like symptoms in the second quarter. He’s rushed for 229 yards on 53 carries with two touchdowns during his first season with the Cyclones.
Warren sat out against Oklahoma after questions swirled as to whether or not the sophomore back had been cleared to play by doctors. He’s run for 544 yards on 124 carries, both team-highs, plus added three touchdowns bursts. That comes one season after Warren led all freshman rushers with 1,339 yards last season, earning him a spot on a number of Freshman All-American squads.
Nwangwu is the least experienced of the trio as he’s rushed for 65 yards on just 17 carries during the season’s first nine games. He’s seen most of his action on the kick return unit where he’s averaging 24.5 yards return.
“I think we feel really comfortable with all three guys,” Campbell said. “And where is their health, where are they at, and then where are we by the middle of the week, I think we’ll know a lot more.
