Game Day Info
Iowa State (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) vs. North Dakota (0-0, 0-0 Missouri Valley)
Time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports 1 (Eric Collins, Spencer Tillman)
Radio: Varsity Network (John Walters, Eric Heft, Ryan Harklau)
Players to Watch
Rocco Becht/the Iowa State quarterbacks
Iowa State’s quarterback Rocco Becht returns for his second season at the helm in Ames and if he takes a positive step after a long off-season of training, it could make for a special year for Cyclone fans. Although if things go according to plan, Cyclone fans will see less of Becht and more of backups J.J. Kohl and Connor Moberly. The program is really high on Moberly – a 2025 recruit that joins Iowa State out of Southeast Polk. Kohl earned similar praise last off-season and was battling for the starter’s job right down to the wire. They should each see some reps in this one.
Ben Brahmer, Iowa State tight end
North Dakota coach Bubba Schweigert even referenced it in his pregame press conference. It’s going to be tough for North Dakota to match up with the 6-foot-7 frame Ben Brahmer brings to the table. Brahmer will own the size advantage and it wouldn’t surprise me to see a touchdown from him in this one.
Bo Belquist, UND wide receiver
As a wide receiver and team captain, Belquist is the heart of this North Dakota group, with over 2,000 career receiving yards to his name and plenty of experience to go along with it. Belquist is a multi-time all-American and is just 10 receptions away from setting the NCAA Division 1 record for most catches in a career.
Simon Romfo, UND quarterback
UND is starting a quarterback in this game that has only thrown two career passes in Simon Romfo. The program had a late departure to the transfer portal, but Romfo has been preparing in camp position battles to take the helm as the starter. “He knows how to win, he knows how to control a game, and I think Coach Fruechte saw that and liked that,” Belquist told ValleyNewsLive. “He played really well this fall camp. He controlled the ball, didn’t have too many turnovers, just played smart.”
Three Keys to the game
1. Zero in on the new guy
Iowa State’s defense can be slightly more aggressive in this one – facing an FCS offense that is being commanded by a rookie quarterback in his first game. Don’t anticipate the four-down linemen look that has been talked about to show itself a ton – the Cyclones could take things more traditionally here. However, the three-down look has given plenty fits to opponents.
2. Don’t let UND get hope
The universal key to defeating FCS programs is keeping their hopes of a win away from them any chance they get. Preventing big plays and getting early stops can turn this game into a blowout, and that’s where the starters get off of the field.
3. Stay Healthy
Obviously, this is a goal that Iowa State will have in any game it plays, but it couldn’t be more true early in the season. The Cy-Hawk game is next week, and will also be aided by a bye week just after, but it’s imperative Iowa State does what it can to avoid injuries that could linger in coming weeks.
Big 12 standings
No. 12 Utah, 1-0 (0-0)
No. 22 Kansas, 1-0 (0-0)
Colorado, 1-0 (0-0)
UCF, 1-0 (0-0)
No. 21 Arizona, 0-0 (0-0)
Arizona State, 0-0 (0-0)
Baylor, 0-0 (0-0)
BYU, 0-0 (0-0)
Cincinnati, 0-0 (0-0)
Houston, 0-0 (0-0)
Iowa State, 0-0 (0-0)
No. 18 Kansas State, 0-0 (0-0)
Oklahoma State, 0-0 (0-0)
TCU, 0-0 (0-0)
Texas Tech, 0-0 (0-0)
West Virginia, 0-0 (0-0)
Thursday, Aug. 29
No. 12 Utah 49, Southern Utah 0
No. 22 Kansas 48, Lindenwood 3
Colorado 31, North Dakota State 26
UCF 57, New Hampshire 3
Friday, Aug. 30
TCU @ Stanford (9:30 p.m. ESPN)
Saturday, Aug. 30
No. 8 Penn State @ West Virginia (11:00 a.m. FOX)
South Dakota State @ No. 17 Oklahoma State (1:00 p.m. ESPN+)
Towson @ Cincinnati (1:30 p.m. ESPN+)
North Dakota @ Iowa State (2:30 p.m. FS1)
UT Martin @ No. 18 Kansas State (6:00 p.m. ESPN+)
Tarleton State @ Baylor (6:00 p.m. ESPN+)
UNLV @ Houston (6:00 p.m. FS1)
Abilene Christian @ Texas Tech (6:30 p.m. ESPN+)
Southern Illinois @ BYU (7:00 p.m. ESPN+)
New Mexico @ No. 21 Arizona (9:30 p.m. ESPN)
Wyoming @ Arizona State (9:30 p.m. FS1)
