The biggest game in the history of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series took place on a hot Saturday afternoon at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Iowa came in following a 34-6 demolition of then-#17 Indiana, while Iowa State came in after barely squeaking by UNI, 16-10. The two programs were on a collision course of epic proportions.
Neither team could get their footing offensively in the 1st quarter, as both teams traded punts, until Iowa State finally put together a sound offensive drive that pushed them inside Iowa’s 10-yard line. However, the Cyclones were held to a field goal and took a 3-0 lead over Iowa. The Hawkeyes continued to struggle offensively, until it was given a boost on Matt Hankins interception. Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras found his rhythm, and lead Iowa inside the Iowa State 10. Two plays later, Tyler Goodson barreled in for a 4-yard touchdown to give Iowa a 7-3 lead in the 2nd quarter.
Following a poor Iowa State punt, Iowa executed it’s 4-minute offense to perfection, and Spencer Petras hooked up with Charlie Jones for a 29-yard touchdown pass to put Iowa up 14-3. The Cyclones would have an answer as Brock Purdy found Darren Wilson for a 49-yard pass play, that would set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Breece Hall to give a halftime score of 14-10.
The Cyclones opened up the 2nd half with the football, and were forced to punt, as both teams again traded punts to start the half. Tory Taylor, finally pinned Iowa State inside the 10-yard line, and the very first play of the ensuing drive, Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs stripped Breece Hall of the ball, and Jack Campbell ran it in for an Iowa touchdown to make it 21-10 Iowa.
Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said after the game: “Somewhere along the line, I failed this team in preparing them for the moment. I think our lack of execution falls squarely on my shoulders. It’s not our seniors issue, it’s not our football teams issue, it’s a Matt Campbell issue, and we’ll do a great job of getting it corrected
Iowa State would respond with Brock Purdy throwing interceptions on back-to-back possessions, one to Seth Benson, the other to Matt Hankins. Both interceptions lead to field goals and a 27-10 Iowa lead, before Purdy was benched. Hunter Dekkers lead a touchdown drive in the 4th quarter, but it was too little, too late as Iowa took their 6th-consecutive Cy-Hawk matchup, 27-17.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said after the game: “It’s always interesting. I don’t know football wise how good we were coming out of spring, but going back to January, these guys have really worked well with each other, and they act in a way that demonstrates they care about each other. We’ve got good guys at the top and they’ve really worked hard at it and worked conscientiously at it, and I think these guys genuinely do care about each other.”
Iowa will face Kent State next Saturday at 2:30 in Kinnick Stadium, while Iowa State will travel west to face UNLV at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas next Saturday with kickoff at 9:30 PM.
