Preview: Brock Purdy

Brock Purdy, a sophomore from Gilbert, AZ, is in the middle of his second season as the starting quarterback for the Iowa State Cyclones and has already made his name known in college football. Purdy held offers from Alabama, Texas A&M, Illinois, and UCF coming out of high school before choosing to go to Ames.

Last year, he took home Big 12 True Freshman of the Year by ESPN and was a member of the Honorable Mention All-Big 12 team as he finished his freshman season with 2,250 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 308 yards and 5 touchdowns. His record as a starter against Big 12 opponents so far is 7-2 after going 6-1 during his freshman year.

He may not have Hakeem Butler on the outside and dynamic back Mike Montgomery anymore, but this offense has already shown that they have other weapons. Senior, Deshaunte Jones, leads the team in catches (37) and yards (444) and along with a touchdown reception, he has thrown a touchdown this season. Milton, Kolar, and Pettway are also targets that Purdy looks to when he needs a big play. With his newfound playmakers, he has thrown for 1,578 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season along with 203 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground.

Last season against West Virginia, he threw for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 30-14 beat down that gave the sixth-ranked Mountaineers their first loss of the season.

The Cyclones are making their bi-annual trip to West Virginia this Saturday and it should be a shootout. Purdy is more experienced this year but this will be his first time in Morgantown, which we all know is a game-changer by itself. Look for the Mountaineers to apply as much pressure on Purdy as possible to take him out of his comfort zone.

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