As the Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) and the No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones (2-0, 1-0 Big 12) embark on the 72nd edition of the Cy-Hawk trophy game on Saturday at Noon ET on Fox – Sporting News takes a look back at five defining moments in series history.
Cyclones' second half comeback
The Sept. 14, 2002 edition of the series took place at Kinnick Stadium as the Cyclones looked to make it five wins in a row over the Hawkeyes.
Things looked bleak after the first 30 minutes of play as Iowa took a 24-7 lead to the locker room. Quarterback Seneca Wallace asserted himself in the early stages of the third quarter with a five-yard touchdown run on an option play as Iowa State scored the next 29 and held off Iowa for a 36-31 win on the road.
Wallace went 23-of-37 passing for 361 yards and threw for a touchdown in the win, while Iowa running back Fred Russell ran for 151 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown in defeat.
The Hawkeyes used the loss as motivation as they ran off nine straight wins on the way to a split of the Big Ten regular season championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes, while the Cyclones dropped six of their last seven games to end the season.
Thriller in Ames
The epic finish between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 10, 2011 could be argued as the most exciting to date.
In a wild affair, the Iowa State Cyclones came from behind on three different occasions in the fourth quarter and overtime sessions. Running back James While put an exclamation mark on a four-yard touchdown run on an option play for a 44-41 win in triple overtime over against the Hawkeyes.
While White's two touchdowns on the ground played a vital role in the Cyclones' win, quarterback Steele Jantz's drive with 5:40 left in the fourth quarter kicked things into high gear.
Jantz put together a 13-play, 59-yard drive – highlighted by two third down conversions to even the game at 24 and force the first ever overtime game in the series.
Iowa State's win proved to be highlight of an average 2011 season as it finished 6-7 overall, while Iowa went 7-6.
Renewal of the rivalry
In an era where the majority of rivalries run without extended stoppages, the Sept. 17, 1977 Iowa State-Iowa game would be the first meeting in the series after a 42-year stoppage between 1935 and 1976.
Iowa state legislature helped bring the sides together and agreed to resume the the rivalry in 1977. Before the 1977 game, then-Cyclones coach Earle Bruce surprised his players with a different title on the front of their jerseys which read "Beat Iowa".
The move backfired as Iowa scrapped its way to a 12-10 win over Iowa State – highlighted by a 77-yard touchdown run by Dennis Mosley.
Another overtime classic in Ames
The Iowa State Cyclones looked to avoid a third straight defeat of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Sept. 9, 2017 showdown at Jack Trice Stadium and appeared to be the case until the fourth quarter.
Iowa managed to score ten points in a row to tie the game at 31, with 5:16 left in regulation on a 23-yard field goal conversion by placekicker Miguel Recinos.
Wide receiver Hakeem Butler responded for Iowa State on a 74-yard TD pass from quarterback Jacob Park to go back ahead 38-31 with 4:36 remaining.
After an Iowa State punt, Iowa quarterback Nathan Stanley showed poise and calm in the pocket chipping away at the defense. The results paid off as Stanley connected with wide receiver Akrum Wadley for a 46-yard touchdown reception to knot the game at 38 — as overtime loomed for the second time in series history.
After a 30-yard field goal make by Cyclones' placekicker Garrett Owens on their opening possession in overtime, the Hawkeyes responded and moved ball down with ease as Stanley connected with wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette from five yards out for the walk-off and third straight win in the Cy-Hawk series.
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Andy Brodell's electric punt return
Weather played a pivotal part in the Iowa State Cyclones and Iowa Hawkeyes showdown on Sept. 13, 2008. Points came at an infrequent pace at Kinnick Stadium as a 26-yard field goal conversion from placekicker Trent Mossbrucker provided the only scoring of the first half as Iowa led Iowa State, 3-0 after 30 minutes.
The first touchdown of the game came 2:04 into the fourth quarter as running back Shonn Greene punched in from five yards out to give the Hawkeyes a 10-3 lead over the Cyclones.
With the game still in the crosshairs with 6:32 left in regulation, Iowa's Andy Brodell returned Michael Brandtner's punt and escaped three Iowa State defenders as he cruised down the field for an 82-yard touchdown return to electrify the crowd. The Hawkeyes never looked back as they walked away 17-5 victors over the Cyclones.
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