This preview is the ninth in a 12-part series previewing the upcoming KU football schedule.
The forecast for Kansas’ Week 9 opponent, Iowa State, became much foggier this week after Tuesday’s news that a criminal complaint was filed against redshirt junior quarterback Hunter Dekkers for alleged sports gambling involving school events.
The complaint, which could easily strip Dekkers of any eligibility permanently, is in response to online sports wagers estimated at “over $2,799,” according to the Des Moines Register. The Register also reported that Dekkers is currently not practicing with the team.
Dekkers, the team’s probable starter ahead of fall preseason camp, started in all 12 games of a disappointing 4-8 (1-8 Big 12) season, the program’s first losing record since 2016. Among those eight losses was a 14-11 narrow defeat at Kansas last October.
Consequently, backups Tanner Hughes, Rocco Becht, Wyatt Bohm and JJ Kohl will all be vying for the top QB job over the next few weeks.
The loss of Dekkers, who contributed over 3,100 in total offense last year, is just the latest in changes coming to the Cyclones’ offense in 2023. Last December, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell replaced longtime offensive coordinator Tom Manning with running game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
Without a proven gunslinger, Iowa State can certainly look toward the run. All three backs — Jirehl Brock, Cartevious Norton and Eli Sanders — have demonstrated a consistent approach, each averaging over 4.0 yards per carry. Brock will arguably be the frontman of the trio, returning this season after posting 445 total yards, averaging 4.5 per carry, a year ago.
Veteran targets Jaylin Noel and Dimitri Stanley are also slated to return and lead the receiving corps. Noel finished last year with just over 600 total receiving yards and Stanley averaged 12 yards on 32 total receptions (383 total yards).
While the offense is in muddier waters, Iowa State will most likely boast one of the Big 12’s best defenses, again, in 2023. Defensive coordinator Jon Heacock constructed the nation’s fourth-best defense in yards allowed per game (285.6) last season.
Returning from last year’s defensive squad are seasoned cornerbacks T.J. Tampa and Myles Purchase. Safeties Jeremiah Cooper and Malik Verdon also are slated to fill the secondary.
Less predictable is the defensive line, which highlights a single veteran returner in nose guard Isaiah Lee from last year’s team. Behind Lee, redshirt senior Gerry Vaughn is the lone senior linebacker in the room, opening the door for newcomers.
Iowa State’s defensive prowess held the KU offense to just 213 total yards of offense in last year’s conference battle — a game that saw the Jayhawks slip past the Cyclones on a missed field goal try for their first win over Iowa State since 2014.
Additionally, the outcome saw KU rejoin the AP Top 25, at No. 19 heading into Week 6 last season, for the first time in well over a decade.
Nick Krug
