Player to Watch: David Montgomery

David Montgomery is really good. That is something that Cyclone fans know, but it never hurts to be reminded.

Montgomery is ranked second in the conference in rushing yards with 101.7 yards per game. He is rushing for 4.5 yards per carry and also has six touchdowns to add on to that. Stats-wise, Montgomery has been incredible, but the stats don’t even reflect his impact as a whole.

Iowa State was a run first offense at the beginning of the season and other teams saw this. Teams would load the box and try to stop Montgomery, and even a running back as good as Montgomery can’t break five tackles every play. The offense was very predicable and Montgomery couldn’t do much to help that.

Everything changed once Brock Purdy stepped into the picture. Purdy’s ability to not only throw the ball, but run the ball has opened up the offense a ton. The offense opening up has freed Montgomery and has allowed him to be himself.

Over the past three games with Purdy at the helm, Montgomery has averaged 126 yards per game. His premier performance was his 189 yards outburst against West Virginia.

The read option with Brock Purdy and David Montgomery has been devastating to opposing defenses and the upcoming game against Baylor won’t be any different. Baylor ranks as the worst scoring defense in the conference AND the worst rush defense. Baylor is giving up 34 points per game and is allowing 190.3 rushing yards against. Both of these are the worst in the conference, by a lot.

Last season, Montgomery had one his best games of the season against this same Baylor defense. The star running back from Cincinnati had 144 yards rushing on 27 attempts.

Matt Campbell will probably rely on the run a little more than usual on Saturday due to Baylor’s poor rush defense and the weather. As of right now, it looks like it will be a brisk day in Ames at 30 degrees with strong winds out of the south. Cold and windy air never bodes well for any quarterback.

Chuck Bruce is a workhouse and will be ready to carry the load for the Cyclones against the Bears. Expect THE best running in College Football to have a huge game on Saturday.

Prediction: 30 Carries, 197 Yards, 2 TDs, 69 Viscous Stiff Arms, 15 Trucks