PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Brock Purdy had the first subpar game of his college career, completing just 10 of his 23 pass attempts for 130 yards, no touchdowns and one interception before being benched for Kyle Kempt late in the game. It’s the first time he’s faced adversity as a Cyclone, so this will be the initial test of how he responds.
–RB David Montgomery had to sit out the first half against Texas, but his 10 carries for 33 yards were still enough to move him into the Top 10 on Iowa State’s career rushing list. The junior is an essential part of the Cyclones offense, and it greatly helps the team’s chances to have him available for 60 minutes rather than 30.
–DE JaQuan Bailey moved into a tie for third place in Iowa State history with 16.5 career sacks. He and the Cyclones pass rushers will have to disrupt plays against Kansas State given the rash of injuries that have left the team with little depth in the secondary.
–DB Lawrence Wright had his first double-digit tackling performance with 10 stops against Texas. The sophomore will continue to play a bigger role in the ISU defense given its injuries elsewhere in the secondary.
SERIES HISTORY: Iowa State leads Kansas State 49-48-4. However, the Wildcats have won the last 10 games between the teams.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “My daughter did come home and said she wanted a turkey for Thanksgiving. My wife and I, neither of us know how to make one of those so that’ll be an interesting challenge for Thursday with the Campbell family.” — Coach Matt Campbell, in the Ames Tribune, on Thanksgiving challenges.