The Cy-Hawk Series is always a game that both Iowa and Iowa State fans eagerly await. Honor is at stake and it can be an early indication of the direction a particular season is headed.
The good news for Iowa fans is that, by and large, things have gone the Hawkeyes’ way. Iowa has won the Cy-Hawk Series in seven of the last eight meetings, including a 20-13 road victory in Ames last season.
Iowa has won six straight road games in this series and leads the overall series 47-23.
The Cyclones, however, will enter the 2024 season with some momentum. Iowa State won five of its final eight games in the 2023 season as quarterback Rocco Becht and running back Abu Sama III slowly got into their stride.
Both teams are ranked in the top 10 in terms of returning to play next season, according to ESPN. In fact, Iowa State leads the nation in that regard.
All this means that the showdown between Cy and Hawk on Saturday, September 7th at Kinnick Stadium promises to be an exciting duel.
Carter Bahns of 247Sports included the Cy-Hawk Series in his list of the top 10 Big Ten non-conference games through 2024.
The Cy-Hawk Trophy is no rarity for Iowa City, as the Hawkeyes have won seven of their last eight duels with the Cyclones. Iowa fended off a comeback in the fourth quarter from State of Iowa to claim a 20-13 away win last season, and both teams will take most of their squads into the 2024 clash. In fact, they are tied for the third most returning starters in college football. Home field advantage and a change of offensive coordinator may give Iowa an advantage, but this rivalry series promises to be another exciting game either way. – Tracks, 247Sports.
Since the 2011 season, eight games have been decided by a single point. All but one game in that span has been within two points or less. This should be a close, nail-biting rivalry, as always.
In last season’s game, Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara had just 123 passing yards and one interception. Jaziun Patterson was Iowa’s best player with 86 rushing yards on 10 carries, including his 59-yard run and his 4-yard touchdown run.
Sebastian Castro added a 30-yard pick-six and Drew Stevens made two field goals from 28 and 34 yards.
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