The Cyclones’ thrilling 16-13 victory over the Hawkeyes in the Cy-Hawk rivalry game was a testament to their resilience and Matt Campbell’s program-building. Despite securing their second consecutive win in the series, the Cyclones' performance revealed several areas for improvement. While the offense ultimately made the plays to set up the game-winning field goal, the decision to temporarily pull starting quarterback Rocco Becht seemed to disrupt the team’s rhythm and momentum in a game where offensive consistency was already scarce.
Special teams also presented a mixed bag of results. The clutch, 54-yard field goal by Kyle Konrardy was a highlight and secured the win, yet an earlier muffed punt return gave Iowa a short field that led to their first points. These moments highlight how crucial—and at times, fragile—special teams play can be, even with a star kicker. Finally, while the defense made key stops in the end, the defensive line struggled at times to generate consistent pressure on Iowa's quarterback, Mark Gronowski. This allowed the Hawkeyes to orchestrate a few lengthy, time-consuming drives that nearly cost the Cyclones the game. Though the win was sweet, addressing these issues will be critical for Iowa State as they navigate the rest of their schedule.
The victory over Iowa moved the Cyclones to a 3-0 record, a promising start to the season. While the win was hard-fought and demonstrates the team's grit, the areas of improvement mentioned above will be crucial to address. As they progress through their schedule, only time will tell if they can refine these elements and truly become a dangerous team capable of competing for a Big 12 title and making noise on the national stage.
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