It’s game time from Ames!
All the pageantry of hate week has come to a conclusion and now it’s time to take that hate to the field as the Cyclone and Hawkeyes square off in the annual Cy-Hawk game.
The Clones come into the day at 2-0 and ranked #16 in the country after opening their season with a week 0 victory over then-#17 Kansas State in week zero and following it up with a 55-3 drubbing of South Dakota in their home opener last week. The Hawkeyes, on the other hand, struggled early against UAlbany
but ultimately leaned on the running game to pull away from the Danes in the second half.
But that victory brought perhaps more questions than answers as Iowa struggled mightily in the passing game. QB Mark Gronowski finished the day 8 of 15 passing for just 44 yards and one TD. He used his legs effectively, however, finishing with 39 yards on the ground and a rushing TD.
In total, Iowa tallied 310 yards on the ground, led by freshman Xavier Williams and his 122 yards on 11 carries. It was the most by the Hawkeyes in an opener since 2002 and the most by a freshman making his debut since the legendary Shonn Greene.
Will the Hawkeyes be able to count on Williams and the running game in Ames as they look to reclaim the Cy-Hawk Trophy? Or will the Cyclones shut down the rushing attack and force Gronowski to make plays through the air?
And on the other side of the ball, can Iowa prevent the big plays that plagued them a year ago? Or will Rocco Becht again lead the way for the Cyclones as they look for their first back-to-back victory in the series since 2011-2012?
We’ll have our answers soon enough as the Hawkeyes and Cyclones square off in Ames!
Here’s a quick reminder on the details for today’s matchup:
Date: Saturday, September 6th
Time: 11:00 am CT
Matchup: Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0, 0-0) at Iowa State Cyclones (2-0, 1-0)
Location: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA
TV: Fox
Updated Weather Forecast: Sunny with temps in the low-60s, and NO RAIN
Updated FanDuel Line: Iowa +3.5, O/U 41.5
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Go Hawks!
