Player to Watch: David Montgomery

David Montgomery hasn’t lit up the box score this season, but he also hasn’t been 100% healthy this season. A lot of that can attributed to nagging injuries from day one. These have held him back but from being at his best, but they haven’t stopped him from playing very well.

Montgomery is averaging 83.4 yards a game on 4.1 yards per carry. He has also been the only consistent red zone option, scoring three touchdowns. Every yard he has run for has not come easily. In fact, on nearly every positive gain he has had this season, he was met in the backfield and has had to break several tackles. This has taken a toll on him.

During the Akron game, Montgomery clearly was shaken up on a play and didn’t return for a few minutes after that. This was after he had gone missing for random possessions in the Cyclones’ first two games against Iowa and Oklahoma. Obviously, something wasn’t right. Then, in the TCU game, he left briefly during the middle of the game with an upper arm injury. The same ongoing issue.

He is listed as “day to day,” which means he’s probably going to play against Oklahoma State on Saturday. The offense has struggled to move the ball for most of the season, and Montgomery’s ability to make plays could be key in jump-starting the offense against the Pokes.

If we get a healthy Montgomery, he can open up the game and spread it out with some big runs. If he isn’t close to 100%, the offense will probably continue to struggle. I think a week of rest leading up to this game will do wonders as he continues to get healthy.

For our sake, along with players and coaches, we hope we get the best David of the season, and I think we will.

Prediction: 20 carries, 115 yards, 2 TD, 3 receptions, 37 yards