Iowa State Offensive Players to Watch vs. Baylor in Week 4

Cyclones' spread offense returns seven starters from 2021, enter Saturday undefeated

The Iowa State Cyclones had, at least in their minds, a disappointing season last year after garnering just seven wins following a 2020 campaign that had them at the top of the Big 12 standings.

The seven wins were enough, however, to get the Cyclones into a bowl game -- a hard-fought 20-13 loss against No. 19 Clemson in the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 29, 2021.

The Cyclones (3-0) aim to bounce back this season, especially once Big 12 play begins this weekend in Ames, Iowa, as undefeated Iowa State hosts the defending conference champion Baylor Bears (2-1) on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. Central Time.

Iowa State narrowly lost to Baylor coach Dave Aranda and the Bears, 31-29, last year at McLane Stadium, and returns seven offensive players while also introducing new names at the helm for positions such as quarterback and running back.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key Iowa State offensive players to watch against Baylor this Saturday on the road.

QB Hunter Dekkers

Although it will be difficult to replace quarterback Brock Purdy, a four-year starter and the owner of 32 school records, redshirt sophomore Hunter Dekkers is doing his best to live up to the hype.

Thus far in 2022, Dekkers, a 6-3, 235-pound, left-handed slinger out of Hawarden, Iowa, has completed 74.3 percent of his passes (78-of-105) for 745 yards and eight passing touchdowns along with 24 rushing yards on three carries with one rushing touchdown.

He is also a former four-star recruit who had plenty of time to study under Purdy as a backup last season and as a redshirt freshman in 2020.

WR Xavier Hutchinson

Another key player to keep an eye on is redshirt senior Xavier Hutchinson, a talented wide receiver who was awarded First Team All-Big 12 honors (chosen by coaches) in both 2020 and 2021.

Thus far in 2022, Hutchinson, at 6-3 and 210 pounds, has 319 receiving yards on 28 receptions with five touchdowns.

Last season, he amassed 83 receptions for the Cyclones, a conference-leading and single-season record. He also ranked 23rd nationally in receptions per game (6.4) while pulling in 987 receiving yards -- second in the Big 12 and No. 41 nationally -- along with five touchdowns.

WR Jaylin Noel

Sophomore Jaylin Noel may be entering just his second season with Iowa State, but the Cyclones wide receiver had an incredible rookie campaign and looks to build on that in 2022.

So far this season, the 5-10, 185-pound receiver has amassed 77 receiving yards on 12 catches.

After playing in 13 games last season (starting three), Noel recorded 269 yards on 39 catches and was also the Cyclones primary kickoff and punt returner -- averaging 26 yards on 11 kickoff returns. He also led Iowa State with 54 receiving yards on four receptions in the team's Cheez-It Bowl loss to Clemson.

RB Jirehl Brock

Redshirt junior Jirehl Brock is the Cyclones' primary running back this season, replacing two-time consensus All-American Breece Hall, who is now playing in the NFL for the New York Jets.

Thus far in 2022, the 6-0, 215-pound Brock has garnered 280 rushing yards on 50 carries with one touchdown along with 53 receiving yards on 10 catches.

Last year, he played in all 13 games as a reserve backup and kickoff returner while averaging 4.7 yards per carry; he was third on the team in rushing yards (174) and rushed for one touchdown while catching seven passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. He also started for the Cyclones in the Cheez-It Bowl, rushing for 42 yards on 14 carries.

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