Caleb Bacon

AMES — Iowa State linebacker Caleb Bacon has been named the Big 12 Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week after becoming the first Cyclone to record three sacks in a game since 2020.

Bacon, a Lake Mills native, led the Cyclone defense in the regular-season ending victory at Oklahoma State, ISU’s first in Stillwater since 2018.

Bacon finished with seven tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble against the Cowboys as the ISU defense allowed just 229 yards of total offense. He was the first Cyclone since JaQuan Bailey in 2020 to record three sacks in a game.

The redshirt senior, who will return for another season in 2026 after receiving a medical redshirt for his injury shortened 2024, also had a quarterback hurry against the Cowboys.