AMES, Iowa – Iowa State redshirt sophomore linebacker Caleb Bacon has been named to the 2023 Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List.

The Lombardi Award is given to a lineman, on either offense or defense, or a linebacker that sets up no further than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage.

Bacon, who hails from Lake Mills, Iowa, is fourth on the team with 29 tackles, while leading the team with 5.5 tackles for a loss. He has notched 2.0 sacks and has five quarterback hurries in his first season as a significant contributor on defense. Bacon also plays a significant role on special teams for the Cyclones.

The Cyclone defensive unit ranks second in the Big 12 Conference in total defense (329.3 yards per game), second in passing defense (198.1) and third in scoring defense (20.0).

In the last two games, ISU has held its Big 12 opponents to 12.0 points per game and 156.0 passing yards per game, while intercepting six passes.