Bacon, Moore Honored With Nick Bassett Perseverance Award

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell announced Friday that seniors Caleb Bacon and Tyler Moore are this season's recipients of the Nick Bassett Perseverance Award.

Nick Bassett was a supporter, fan and friend not only to the Cyclone football program, but also to the entire Iowa State community. He had various health struggles from age two until he passed away in January of 2022 at 29 years old.

Nick served as an inspiration to everyone he met. His continued positive spirit, attitude toward adversity of all kinds, ability to persevere through challenges he faced and continued support and love for those he cared about provided an illustration all people can learn from – both in the Iowa State community and around the world. Nick's life and legacy continues to impact Iowa State's players, staff, fans and the entire program in tremendous ways.

The award recognizes two football players annually. The players that earn the honor are selected based on exemplifying the characteristics that we remember Nick by: positive spirit, perseverance and selflessness.

Bacon, a Lake Mills, Iowa native, has battled back from injury to return to the field this season. In the 2024 season opener, Bacon was injured just five snaps into the season on a special teams play. A former walk-on turned scholarship player, Bacon had an outstanding 2023 season, finishing second on the team with 60 tackles, three of which came on sacks.

Moore also had his 2024 season shortened by injury, missing the final five games of the season. Prior to the injury during ISU's record-setting season, the Des Moines, Iowa native had six receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. He has played in 32 career games, making four starts.

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