The latest chapter of Iowa’s biggest football rivalry was written on September 6, 2025, when the Iowa State Cyclones edged the University of Iowa Hawkeyes 16‑13 in Ames. The win gave the Cyclones their most recent triumph in a series that has produced 72 games since the first meeting in 1894.
Series overview
Through 72 contests, the Hawkeyes hold a 47‑25 advantage. The two programs first faced each other 24 times between 1894 and 1934, with Iowa winning 16 of those early games. After a 43‑year hiatus, the rivalry was revived in 1977 and has been played annually—except for the COVID‑19‑related cancellation of the 2020 game—through the present day.
Notable streaks and milestones
Iowa’s longest run came from 1983 to 1997, a 15‑game winning streak that still stands as the series record. The Hawkeyes have also posted two six‑game streaks (1916‑1933 and 2015‑2021). Iowa State’s best stretch was five straight victories from 1998‑2002, directly following Iowa’s 15‑game run.
The rivalry has produced only two overtime games. In 2011, the Cyclones won a triple‑overtime thriller 44‑41, and in 2017 the Hawkeyes returned the favor with a 44‑41 win in a single overtime period.
Top‑10 clash and national attention
The 2021 meeting was the only time both teams entered the game ranked in the Top 10. The Hawkeyes, ranked No. 10, defeated the ninth‑ranked Cyclones 27‑17.
ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast from Ames twice—2019 and 2021—highlighting the rivalry’s national relevance. Both appearances resulted in Hawkeye victories.
Scoring extremes
The highest Hawkeye score came in 1997, a 63‑20 victory, and the program has posted four additional 50‑plus point games (1983, 1984, 1985). Iowa State’s highest total is 44 points, achieved in the 2011 triple‑overtime win.
Both schools recorded 2‑0 shutouts in the early 1900s (Iowa State in 1906, Iowa in 1910). The most recent shutout was Iowa State’s 31‑0 win in 1978, the only shutout in the modern era.
Coaching records
Long‑time Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz entered the series with a 14‑12 record after his 200th career win came against Iowa State in 2023. Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell, after losing his first five Cy‑Hawk games, turned the tide with a 10‑7 victory in 2022 and now holds a 3‑6 record.
Recent results
Since the 2020 cancellation, the series has produced a tight back‑and‑forth: Iowa won in 2021 (27‑17) and 2023 (20‑13), while Iowa State captured victories in 2022 (10‑7), 2024 (20‑19), and the most recent 2025 game (16‑13).
The rivalry continues to draw passionate fans from both campuses, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of Iowa’s sporting culture.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
