Cyclone coach Paul Rhoads talks about Jake Knott’s injury.
Iowa State coach Jake Paul Rhoads says linebacker Jake Knott will likely miss the rest of the season.
The senior from Waukee injured a shoulder in an October 19th loss at Oklahoma State and was scheduled to have surgery today in Chicago.
“He’s got a tear that needs to be fixed, he’s not sound. So,he’s getting that fixed like we would with a freshman, sophomore or senior player in mind,” Rhoads says.
Knott was the first player to commit to Iowa State after Rhoads took over the program and the coach says he has left an indelible mark with big play interceptions, fumbles, drive stopping tackles. He says the two-time captain elected by his teammates “really helped jumpstart this era of Cyclone football.”
Jake Knott (file photo)
Despite being injured Knott played in Saturday’s victory over Baylor. He registered 11 tackles, forced a fumble and for his efforts was named the Big-12 defensive player of the week.
“He’s played through a lot of pain, which is a tribute to him, his toughness and his overall selfless desire to be a team player. It was never ever about Jake Knott, it was always about the Iowa State Cyclones,” Rhoads says.
The Cyclones take a 5-3 record into this week’s game at home against Oklahoma and Rhoads says it will be up to the defense to make up for his loss.
“We have a saying ‘Eleven is One’ and that’s how our guys will play and they’ll work hard to pick up the slack,” Rhoads says, “You miss the leadership quotient that he brings. Hopefully you can find a way productivity wise to fill the void.”