There were a couple of firsts Saturday as No. 9 Iowa State faced No. 10 Iowa. It was the first matchup in the history of the Cy-Hawk Trophy featuring two ranked teams. Iowa State was ranked in the top 10 for the first time in the history of the rivalry. Despite the uniqueness entering the meeting, Saturday’s game followed the same script as most of the series in the Kirk Ferentz era as Iowa used a tremendous defensive performance and some heads-up special teams plays to top rival Iowa State 27-17 in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa put together a vintage performance in the complete win. The Hawkeyes posted just 173 total yards and averaged 1.7 yards per carry, but they used four forced turnovers and a handful of nice special teams returns to dominate the rivalry. Defensive back Matt Hankins had a pair of interceptions. Punter Tory Taylor had a tremendous game with eight punts, including five within the 20-yard line and a 51.1 yards per punt average.
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy completed 13 of 27 passes for 138 yards and three interceptions before getting benched in the fourth quarter for freshman Hunter Dekkers. All-Big 12 running back Breece Hall accumulated 69 yards rushing, 24 yards receiving and the Cyclones’ first touchdown. Dekkers threw a fourth-quarter touchdown to narrow the lead to 10, but by then, it was too late.
Iowa’s win gives the Hawkeyes a streak of six straight victories over the Cyclones dating back to the year before Matt Campbell took over at Iowa State. It’s the longest losing streak in Ames since Iowa won 15 straight matchups between 1983-97. Even more unfortunate? The last six years represent the greatest stretch of success in Iowa State history, but that still hasn’t been enough for the Cyclones to beat their greatest rival.
Here are my three biggest takeaways from the Hawkeyes’ dominant victory.
1. Ferentz still has Campbell’s number
No matter how good Campbell has made this Iowa State program, Iowa continues to be his kryptonite. Losing 42-3 in his first matchup with a struggling team is one thing. Losing multiple matchups in Ames with nationally-relevant teams? That’s confounding. The Hawkeyes’ magic seemed to catch the Cyclones any time they appeared to be finding their footing. Hall lost a fumble within the 10-yard line that was returned for a scoop and score. Purdy had a ball bounce off a receiver’s hands to stall a drive at midfield. Another was batted at the line. Iowa just seems to know every inch of Iowa State’s identity, maybe because they’ve done it a similar way for so many years. Now, a whole class of Iowa players can graduate without ever losing to some of the best Iowa State teams in program history.
2. Iowa is undervalued …
The Hawkeyes came into the 2021 season ranked at No. 18, a respectable position but one that was notably cautious. After beating No. 17 Indiana and No. 9 Iowa State in back-to-back weeks, it’s time to put that trepidation to the side. Especially on a day that Ohio State lost against a dynamic defense, Iowa should be seen as a legitimate contender in the Big Ten and the favorite in the Big Ten West. The last time Iowa won its first two games against ranked opponents was in 1960, part of an 8-1 campaign where the Hawkeyes finished No. 3 in the nation. Could Iowa flirt with the top five in the new AP Top 25?
3. … but its offense must improve
Over the years, we’ve seen that Iowa can win football games in a number of different ways. Interceptions and special teams can carry Iowa through most — if not all — of the Big Ten. But with a team this reliable, it’s hard not to look ahead to a potential Big Ten title game against Ohio State and the dynamic receivers the Hawkeyes would face.
Quarterback Spencer Petras was consistent and efficient, but the defense bailed the offense out a couple of times. Notably, Iowa posted just 23 total yards in the second half. Seven of them were through the air. Iowa has the tight end and running back talent to integrate the passing game in a more meaningful way against better opponents. But before we can consider Iowa a dark horse College Football Playoff team, which is in the cards, we first have to see them find some offensive consistency.
