Sep 16, 2023; Boise, Idaho, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks quarterback Tommy Schuster (2) pitches to wide receiver Bo Belquist (1) against the Boise State Broncos during the first half at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
AMES — Iowa State returns the most production of any FBS team this season.
The Cyclones’ week one foe — North Dakota — is breaking in a new starting quarterback and features more than 30 new players on its roster.
So it’s not surprising that Las Vegas oddsmakers tabbed ISU as a 27.5-point favorite to win early this week, but it is worth noting the Cyclones have struggled at times in their season openers under ninth-year head coach Matt Campbell.
ISU has won by 21 and 32 points in its past two season openers, but went 3-3 in its first game of the season earlier in Campbell’s tenure.
The bottom line: Week one can be a bumpy ride for the Cyclones — especially when facing a Missouri Valley Football Conference team eager to knock off an FBS school.
With that in mind, here are five Fighting Hawks to watch against ISU beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (FS1) at Jack Trice Stadium:
WR Bo Belquist
The 6-1, 185-pound fifth-year senior isn’t big, but he does have a penchant for making timely, winning plays. Belquist eclipsed 100 yards receiving in three wins last season and led the team with 5.5 receptions per game. He caught six touchdown passes last season and has reached the end zone 20 times in his storied North Dakota career. Belquist will serve as one of the team’s captains for the second straight season, so is clearly one of the top leaders. He’s also the Fighting Hawks’ lone representative on the voluminous Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist and led his team in plays spanning 20 o more yards last season with 12.
LB Wyatt Pedigo
Pedigo may be North Dakota’s top all-around defensive player and can be a disruptive force against both the run and the pass. He led the FCS in fumble recoveries (4) last season and also forced two fumbles. The 6-0, 230-pound senior also led his team in total tackles (72), tackle for loss (7.5) and sacks (4.0) last season. Pedigo also picked off two passes as a sophomore, so he has a nose for the football and isn’t intimidated by FBS programs. Two of his fumble recoveries and one of his forced fumbles came in a loss at Boise State. Pedigo also racked up a season-best 10 tackles against the Broncos.
QB Simon Romfo
The 5-11, 190-pound junior beat our returning backup quarterback Trey Feeney for the starting job this fall, which prompted Feeney to announce he’ll be transferring. That made the quarterback position extremely thin for the Fighting Hawks, but Romfo impressed coaches with his running prowess, throwing accuracy, and decision-making abilities as they sought to replace record-setting sixth-year senior Tommy Schuster, who transferred to Michigan State. Romfo went 2-for-2 through the air in a blowout win last season over Western Illinois, and also rushed for two touchdowns. His hometown is listed as Calvin, N.D. — population 15 according to U.S. Census data.
RB Gaven Ziebarth
Ziebarth started just three games last season while battling injuries, but still led the team in rushing yards with 700. The 6-0, 205-pound junior averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season, which ranked second among MVFC running backs. He also rushed for nine touchdowns in 2023, which tied for sixth-best in the conference. Ziebarth is also one of several Fighting Hawks who tend to rise to major challenges. His career-best 156-yard performance came in a 49-24 rout of perennial FCS power and intrastate rival North Dakota State. Ziebarth will split carries with senior Isaiah Smith, who ranked second on the team in rushing yards last season with 594.
LB Malachi McNeal
The 6-0, 220-pound junior is one of three returning starters at linebacker — and all three are among the team’s captains. McNeal ranked second to Pedigo in total tackles (68), solo stops (43) and tackles for loss (7.0) last season and also blocked a punt in the win over North Dakota State. McNeal ranked third on the team in sacks with 3.0 last season and recorded a career-high 11 tackles in a 27-0 loss at Northern Iowa.
