The Iowa State University Cyclones entered Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Sept. 7 and pulled off an unlikely victory over the No. 21-ranked University of Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes vs the Cyclones is one of the oldest rivalries in college football, dating back to 1894 when they first squared off. Tens of thousands of fans flock to the game each year to enthusiastically cheer for their team, and this year’s rivalry game spared no concern for their heart rates.
Late-game heroics from Cyclone quarterback Rocco Becht and wide receiver Jaylin Noel brought Iowa State within field goal range in the final minute. Cyclone kicker Kyle Konrardy drilled a 54-yard field goal with six seconds remaining in regulation to boost Iowa State over Iowa 20-19.
After a slow start, Becht finished with 272 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Noel logged 133 yards, one touchdown and five receptions. Becht also relied on receiver Jayden Higgins, who tallied eight receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.
The Cyclone defense held Hawkeye quarterback Cade McNamara to 99 passing yards on 29 attempts. Iowa’s running back Kaleb Johnson had a career day with 187 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Iowa got off to a strong start, led by Johnson in the backfield. Iowa scored the first points courtesy of a Johnson touchdown dash. On their second offensive possession, Iowa was set up with prime field position on Iowa State’s 43-yard line.
Iowa took advantage of the field position by scoring on two plays. McNamara completed a 16-yard pass to wide receiver Jacob Gill, and Johnson followed up with a 27-yard touchdown run that gave Iowa a 7-0 lead with 6:29 remaining in the first quarter.
A Hawkeye interception gifted Iowa’s offense great field position again at the end of the first quarter. Becht targeted Higgins on a slant route but was read perfectly by Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins who intercepted the pass, setting up his offense on Iowa State’s 12-yard line.
McNamara connected with his receiver Leshon Williams on an 11-yard reception, which put Iowa on the one-yard line, but they failed to eclipse the end zone. The Cyclone defense stuffed Iowa with two tackles for loss and forced an incompletion, so Iowa settled for a field goal, giving them a 10-0 lead.
Iowa added another three points to their effort right before halftime. Johnson had a 37-yard run and a 26-yard run in the same drive, pushing Iowa into field goal range. Iowa kicker Drew Stevens made the kick and put Iowa up 13-0.
The Cyclones were shut out in the first half, failing to generate explosive plays on offense. The Cyclones’ fortunes, however, turned around in the second half.
Cyclone cornerback Darien Porter picked off McNamara to shift momentum early in the second half. Immediately Becht’s offense found life with two completions over 20 yards. The Cyclones marched to the Iowa three-yard line where Becht threw a jump ball to Higgins who wrestled the football away from Iowa cornerback TJ Hall midair to give the Cyclones their first points and even the gap to 13-7 Hawkeye advantage.
Iowa responded with a touchdown on a drive with six running plays and one passing. Johnson continued his impressive day with a 54-yard sprint. A collective Hawkeye effort then got Iowa to Iowa State’s three-yard line where Johnson punched it in for a touchdown. Iowa tried a two-point conversion but failed, giving them a 19-7 advantage with 4:47 on the clock in the third quarter.
The Cyclones got the football back and wasted no time, scoring on the first play of the new drive. Becht hit Noel in stride on a deep crossing route that saw Noel sprint the field’s distance for a 75-yard touchdown, bringing the contest to a 19-14 score in Iowa’s favor.
Iowa State added another field goal to their count with 11:42 left in the fourth quarter. Becht completed an 18-yard pass to Higgins, which set up the Cyclones with a 46-yard field goal and a 19-17 score.
Both offenses went quiet until Iowa State got the ball with 33 seconds left in regulation. Becht threw two laser passes to Noel for 10 and 32-yard pickups to put Iowa State in Hawkeye territory. Becht and Noel’s effort was enough to set up Konrady with the game-winning field goal and upset Iowa on the road.
