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Your 9th ranked Iowa State University Cyclones face off this weekend against what could be the best defensive unit they’ve come across this weekend against West Virginia. The Mountaineers rank 1st in the Big 12 in yards per game, points allowed per game, passing yards allowed per game, and 3rd in rush yards against per game. The Mountaineers also lead the Big 12 in INTs with 10. So, they’re no joke.
On the other hand, Breece Hall leads the nation in rushing, and the Cyclones lead the Big 12 in rushing. Hall, although snapping his streak of consecutive 100 yard games, is now top 10 in a whole lot of in-season and career records.
His 9 straight games with a rushing touchdowns puts him just behind Troy Davis for second in school history, his 16 rushing touchdowns on the season ties him at 4th with Davis, 25 career rushing scores puts him at 10th, 1,260 rushing yards ties him with George Amundson and Mike Strachan for 7th, and 17 total touchdowns ties him with Dwayne Crutchfield for the 3rd most in a single season in ISU history. A lot to take in, I know.
Anyway, to this week’s game we go. Breece has been nothing short of spectacular in every game this season, to say the least. Going up against West Virginia’s defense, the argument of an unstoppable force running into a immovable object, similar to when the Cyclones traveled to Stillwater earlier this season.
One thing that is worth mentioning is the quarterback play from Brock Purdy has completely flipped since the last time ISU faced this good of a defense. While Iowa State very well could be considered a ‘run-first oriented’ team, Purdy can keep the defense honest now more than any other time this season. That opens up the run game for Breece (and any other back, for that matter) and with the addition of speedster receiver, Tarique Milton being back is just another point to make the case that the offense is the most well-rounded unit we have seen in awhile.
Also, just a reminder of the one of the coolest things Breece has ever said:
“It’s 5-star culture vs 5-star players”
— Matt Drinkall (@DrinkallCoach) November 28, 2020
- Breece Hall: Iowa State RB
Damn. That’s good.
The Cyclones host West Virginia this Saturday (2:30, ESPN).