If you aren't from the Midwest, you probably think the Hawkeyes vs Iowa State game is just two teams in a cornfield fighting over a brass trophy. You'd be wrong. It’s a civil war that divides dinner tables from Council Bluffs to Davenport. It's about bragging rights in the office for 364 days. Honestly, it’s one of the few things in this state that can make a quiet Monday morning feel like a Friday night.
The Cy-Hawk Series isn't just a game; it's a culture.
What Really Happened with Hawkeyes vs Iowa State Recently
People keep talking about the "dominance" of one side or the other, but the reality is much more chaotic. Look at the 2024 and 2025 football matchups. In September 2024, Iowa was ranked No. 21 and looked ready to cruise at Kinnick Stadium. Then, Kyle Konrardy—a name that now haunts Hawkeye dreams—stepped up and nailed a 54-yard field goal with six seconds left. Final score: 20-19, Cyclones.
Fast forward to September 6, 2025. The scene shifted to Ames at Jack Trice Stadium. You’ve got the FOX Big Noon Kickoff crew there, the energy is electric, and the outcome is... almost identical. Another nail-biter. Iowa State took it 16-13, marking their second straight win in the series.
Wait, the home team actually won? Yeah, that’s the shocker. Before that 2025 game, the home team hadn't won since 2018. It’s been a weirdly "road-warrior" rivalry for a while. Matt Campbell finally got his first win against Kirk Ferentz at "The Jack," which was a massive monkey off his back.
The Stats That Don't Lie
Iowa still leads the all-time football series 47-25. That’s a big gap. However, if you look at the last decade, it’s been a total dogfight.
- Close Calls: 11 of the last 13 football meetings were decided by 10 points or less.
- Defensive Grinds: Iowa’s defense is legendary. In 2024, they finished 11th in the nation for scoring defense.
- Offensive Shifts: Under OC Tim Lester, Iowa's offense actually jumped from 132nd to 72nd in scoring in just one year. Progress is slow, but it's there.
It’s More Than Just Football
While everyone stares at the gridiron, the Hawkeyes vs Iowa State rivalry bleeds into everything else. The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series tracks points across all sports—soccer, wrestling, basketball, even gymnastics.
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The 2025-26 season has been a rough one for the Hawkeyes. Iowa State has been on a tear.
- Men’s Basketball: The Cyclones took a 66-62 win in December 2025. That’s three in a row for them.
- Women’s Basketball: Even without the Caitlin Clark era frenzy, this game drew a massive crowd. Iowa State won 74-69 in Ames.
- Wrestling: This is usually where Iowa dominates, but Iowa State pulled off a 20-14 upset in late 2024.
Basically, the Cyclones currently hold the trophy and most of the momentum.
The Weird History of the Cy-Hawk Trophy
You can't talk about Hawkeyes vs Iowa State without mentioning the trophy drama. The original trophy featured a football player and the mascots. Then, in 2011, they tried to change it to a "family around a bushel of corn."
People hated it. I mean, really hated it. It was mocked so relentlessly that they changed it again within a year. The current version, unveiled in 2012, features Cy and Herky, a football, and (obviously) more corn. It’s a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster, but it’s ours.
Why the Gap Between 1934 and 1977?
There’s a 40-year hole in this rivalry. Why? Because of a guy named Ossie Solem. He was the Iowa coach/AD back in the 30s and basically stopped returning calls from Iowa State. There was some elitism involved—Iowa was in the Big Ten, and they didn't think they needed to play the "little brother" in Ames.
Thankfully, Governor Robert D. Ray helped kickstart the series again in 1977. Since then, it’s been an annual tradition (except for the 2020 COVID mess).
How to Prepare for the 2026 Matchup
The next football showdown is scheduled for September 12, 2026, back in Iowa City. If you’re planning to go, you’ve gotta understand the vibe. It’s not just a game; it’s an all-day endurance test of tailgating and yelling.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
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- Ticket Strategy: If you aren't a season ticket holder, get on the secondary market the second they drop. Prices for Cy-Hawk games at Kinnick usually double by August.
- Travel: If you’re driving from Des Moines to Iowa City, leave three hours earlier than you think you should. I-80 becomes a parking lot.
- The "El Assico" Factor: Expect the unexpected. These games are often low-scoring, "ugly" football where a muffed punt or a random 50-yard field goal decides the whole thing. Don't bet the over.
The rivalry is currently leaning toward Ames, but in this series, that just means the Hawkeyes are due for a response. Whether it's on the mat or the court, this state is never quiet when these two meet.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. With the way rosters move now, the face of the 2026 game could change overnight. Check the official athletic sites at HawkeyeSports.com and Cyclones.com for the most updated rosters and kickoff times as the season approaches.