Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock says he is ready to find out how his defense will handle adversity in a game. An experienced defense is one of the reasons The Cyclones expect to improve upon last year’s 7-6 record and they open at home on August 31st against North Dakota.

Heacock says head coach Matt Campbell creates chaos at practice by changing up the situations to help prepare for games.

Heacock says the defense has had to play with good effort every day in camp against the Cyclone defense.

Heacock says every season opener answers a lot of questions.

Junior Jeremiah Cooper leads an experienced group of safeties and says they are looking forward to game week.

Cooper has been a starter since his true freshman season and is taking on more of a leadership role.