Iowa State fans received some tough news about starting linebacker Caleb Bacon on Tuesday, just days ahead of the annual matchup against Iowa in the CyHawk Rivalry Game.
According to head coach Matt Campbell, Bacon had surgery on Sunday after suffering a lower leg injury against North Dakota in Week 1 and will be out “for a while” as he recovers. However, Campbell said that he believed Bacon could have a chance to return to the field for ISU later this year, according to CycloneFanatic.com.
This is devastating news for the Iowa State defense, as Bacon was set to have a massive year for the team as one of the key returning starters for a unit that has ranked at or near the top of the Big 12 in recent years.
Last season, Bacon appeared in all 13 games for the Cyclones and finished second on the team with 60 tackles, while adding 6.5 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
With Bacon out at MLB, junior Zachary Lovett appears to be the next man in line to hold down the middle of the Iowa State defense.
Iowa State will head to Iowa City for a 2:30 p.m. kick (CBS) against the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa is currently listed as a three-point favorite in the matchup and is coming off a 40-0 victory over Illinois State.
