Purdy and McDonald earn Big 12 POW honors

The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletic Communications.

IRVING, Texas – Iowa State All-Big 12 senior quarterback Brock Purdy and All-Big 12 junior defensive end Will McDonald IV were honored by the Big 12 Conference today for their performances against Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Purdy was awarded the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and McDonald IV was the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Week. 

Purdy was sensational on Saturday, guiding the Cyclones to a 24-21 win over No. 8 Oklahoma State, ISU’s fourth win over a Top 10 team since 2017.

A native of Gilbert, Ariz., Purdy passed for 307 yards, his 13^th career 300-yard passing game, on 27-of-33 passing. Purdy is the only player in the nation to complete 80 pct. of his passes in a game four times (min. 15 att.).

He also tossed a pair of touchdowns to Xavier Hutchinson and helped orchestrate a fourth quarter come-from-behind victory for the seventh time in his career.

Purdy has been one of the most accurate passers in the nation this season, ranking second nationally in completion pct. at 75.3 pct. His four 80 pct. completion games all rank in ISU’s single-game Top 11.

Purdy, who has the fifth-most starts among active FBS QBs (40), is the greatest signal-caller in Cyclone history. He currently owns/shares 31 school records, including all-time QB wins (28).

A four-time career winner of the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, Purdy is 14-1 vs. Big 12 opponents in his career at Jack Trice Stadium.

McDonald IV, a native of Pewaukee, Wis., is one of the best pass rushers in the nation and he continued his incredible play over the weekend with a dominating performance vs. the Cowboys.

McDonald IV tallied five tackles, 2.0 sacks, two QB hurries and a pass breakup to aid the Cyclones to victory.

With the Cyclones clinging to a 24-21 victory late in the fourth quarter, McDonald IV registered back-to-back sacks to force a Cowboy punt.

McDonald IV leads the Big 12 and ranks fourth nationally in sacks per game at 1.07. His 7.5 sacks on the year already ranks in ISU’s season Top 10 and his 25.0 sacks in his career is 0.5 shy from the school record.

McDonald IV has been the most consistent pass-rusher in the NCAA in the last two seasons, registering 23.0 sacks in his last 23 games.

Jared Stansbury

View articles by Jared Stansbury subscriber

Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

Follow @@JaredStansbury