5 Reasons The Iowa State Vs. Iowa Cy-Hawk Rivalry Just Entered A New, Electrifying Era

The fierce in-state rivalry between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Iowa Hawkeyes, known as the Cy-Hawk Series, has exploded into a new, electrifying era, defined by a stunning late-2025 power shift and a shocking coaching change. As of today, December 15, 2025, the conversation across the state is dominated by the Cyclones’ unprecedented back-to-back victories in both major sports, coupled with the immediate ripple effects of a major leadership change in Ames.

The traditional dominance of the Hawkeyes has been challenged by a surging Iowa State program, culminating in two high-stakes victories that have irrevocably altered the narrative of the rivalry. From a game-winning 54-yard field goal to a top-5 basketball showdown, the recent clashes have set the stage for a 2026 season that promises maximum drama, especially with a new head coach at the helm for the Cyclones’ football program.

The Cy-Hawk Series: Recent Scores, Rivalry Facts, and Key Entities

The Iowa-Iowa State rivalry is one of the most intense in college athletics, spanning football, men's basketball, women's basketball, and wrestling. The competition for the overall athletic performance between the two schools is formally recognized as the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.

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• Rivalry Name: The Cy-Hawk Series
• Trophy: The Cy-Hawk Trophy (Football)
• Overall Football Series Record: Iowa leads, 47-25
• Overall Men's Basketball Series Record: Iowa leads, 48-31
• Latest Football Result: Iowa State 16, Iowa 13 (September 6, 2025)
• Latest Men's Basketball Result: No. 4 Iowa State 66, Iowa 62 (December 11, 2025)
• Iowa State Football Stadium: Jack Trice Stadium (Ames, IA)
• Iowa Football Stadium: Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, IA)
• Iowa State Basketball Arena: James H. Hilton Coliseum (Ames, IA)
• Iowa Basketball Arena: Carver-Hawkeye Arena (Iowa City, IA)

The recent results from the 2025 athletic calendar have swung the momentum heavily toward the Cyclones, creating a palpable shift in the state’s sporting landscape.

1. The Shocking Coaching Change: Jimmy Rogers Takes Over Iowa State Football

The most significant and recent development in the rivalry is the sudden change in leadership for the Iowa State football program. Just days before the current date, on December 8, 2025, defensive coordinator Jimmy Rogers was officially introduced as the new head football coach for the Iowa State Cyclones.

This move is a massive storyline for the 2026 Cy-Hawk football clash. Rogers, a former Cyclone linebacker, replaced Matt Campbell, who was the head coach for the 2025 Cy-Hawk victory.

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The Contrast in Coaching Stability

The coaching change in Ames creates a dramatic contrast with the stability in Iowa City. Iowa’s legendary head coach, Kirk Ferentz, remains the longest-tenured coach in the nation. The 2026 football game will pit the continuity and established culture of the Hawkeyes against the fresh energy and defensive-minded approach of the new Rogers era. The pressure on Rogers to maintain the recent success against Iowa will be immediate and intense, as the Cyclones have now won three of the last four football matchups.

The new leadership at Jack Trice Stadium is a primary reason why the 2026 game at Kinnick Stadium on September 12, 2026, will be one of the most highly anticipated in the series’ history.

2. The Football Field Goal Drama: Iowa State Secures 2025 Victory

The 2025 football game on September 6 was a classic, low-scoring, defensive battle that has become the hallmark of the Cy-Hawk Series. The No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 16-13 in a heart-stopping finish in Ames.

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The game was decided by a dramatic, clutch kick from Iowa State’s placekicker, Kyle Konrardy. With only 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter, Konrardy drilled a 54-yard field goal to give the Cyclones the decisive three-point lead.

The Impact of the Kick

This victory was significant for several reasons:

• Momentum Shift: It marked the second consecutive year the Cyclones defeated the Hawkeyes, a feat that had not been accomplished in a long time, solidifying the recent shift in rivalry power.
• Defensive Grind: The box score highlighted the defensive strength of both Big Ten and Big 12 programs, with Iowa State holding Iowa to only 13 points.
• Cy-Hawk Trophy Stays in Ames: The win ensured the Cy-Hawk Trophy remained in Ames for another year, further fueling the celebratory atmosphere among the Cyclone faithful and the frustration among the Hawkeye fan base.

The memory of that long field goal under pressure will undoubtedly linger over the rivalry until the teams meet again in 2026.

3. The Basketball Showdown: No. 4 Cyclones Edge Hawkeyes in December 2025

The rivalry’s momentum continued just a few months later on the hardwood. On December 11, 2025, the No. 4 ranked Iowa State men's basketball team defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 66-62 in a tightly contested Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series matchup at Hilton Coliseum.

This game was a major national event, with Iowa State entering the contest undefeated and ranked in the top five. The atmosphere in Ames was electric, living up to the reputation of Hilton Coliseum as one of the toughest venues in college basketball.

Key Players and Performance

Iowa State’s victory was powered by a strong performance from their star forward, Joshua Jefferson, who was a key returner and an All-Big 12 player for the 2025-2026 season. Other key contributors for the Cyclones included Milan Momcilovic and Tamin Lipsey, who helped the team overcome a slight first-half deficit to secure the win.

The Hawkeyes, despite the loss, played a competitive game, demonstrating the talent gap between the two programs was minimal. The battle was a showcase of high-level college basketball, contrasting the defensive, grind-it-out nature of the football rivalry.

4. The Women's Basketball Factor: Audi Crooks' Dominance

While the men’s games often grab the headlines, the women’s basketball rivalry is equally intense and has also seen a recent shift. The day before the men's game, on December 10, 2025, the Iowa State women’s team also secured a victory over the Hawkeyes.

The game was highlighted by the dominant performance of Iowa State's star center, Audi Crooks. Her powerful presence and consistent scoring have made the women's basketball Cy-Hawk Series a must-watch event, adding another layer to the Cyclones' recent supremacy in the rivalry. This combined success in both major basketball programs further emphasizes the current upward trajectory of Iowa State Athletics.

5. Looking Ahead: The 2026 Football Showdown at Kinnick Stadium

All eyes now turn to the next major clash: the football game on Saturday, September 12, 2026, which will take place in Iowa City at Kinnick Stadium. This game is set up to be a monumental event for several key reasons:

• Revenge Factor: Iowa will be desperate to break the Cyclones' winning streak and reclaim the Cy-Hawk Trophy on their home turf.
• Jimmy Rogers' Debut: It will be new Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers’ first Cy-Hawk game as the head man, immediately testing his ability to perform under the immense pressure of the rivalry.
• Conference Pride: The game continues to be a crucial non-conference test, pitting the Big Ten’s Hawkeyes against the Big 12’s Cyclones, providing a key early-season measuring stick for both conferences.

The back-to-back Cyclones wins in football and the recent basketball victory have solidified a new, competitive balance in the state. The era of one-sided dominance is over, replaced by a thrilling, unpredictable rivalry where every single game carries state-wide implications and national attention. The Iowa State vs. Iowa rivalry is no longer just a local skirmish; it is a national spectacle of college sports at its finest.