Eric Boggs 
Iowa State wins the Cy-Hawk Trophy.
Iowa’s hopes for a College Football Playoff run took a major hit Saturday as the 21st-ranked Hawkeyes suffered a 20-19 upset loss to in-state rival Iowa State at Kinnick Stadium. Despite a 13-0 halftime lead, Iowa’s defense faltered in the second half, allowing 260 yards and 20 points. Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 272 yards, with most of his success coming after the break. A 30-yard pass to Jaylin Noel set up freshman kicker Kyle Konrardy for a 54-yard game-winning field goal with just five seconds remaining.
The Hawkeyes’ defense, once dominant, could not contain Iowa State’s surge. Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara struggled, completing just 13 of 29 passes for 99 yards and two interceptions, one of which led to an Iowa State touchdown. Running back Kaleb Johnson had a standout performance, rushing for 187 yards and two touchdowns, but Iowa’s offense sputtered with three consecutive three-and-outs in the second half.
For Iowa State, the victory marked their second straight Cy-Hawk win in Iowa City. Though the Cyclones stumbled early with penalties and missed opportunities, they found a way to stay in the game. Iowa, on the other hand, failed to capitalize on its early lead and now faces an uphill battle to stay in the playoff conversation.
Iowa’s path to the CFP has become more difficult, with a tough matchup against No. 2 Ohio State looming in October. The Hawkeyes must regroup as they host Troy next week in their final nonconference game before a critical Big Ten schedule begins.
Iowa State’s win will go down as one of the most memorable in the history of the Cy-Hawk rivalry, thanks to Konrardy’s clutch kick that sealed the Cyclones’ victory and etched his name in the rivalry’s lore.
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