CY-HAWK CLASSIC: IOWA STATE DEFEATS IOWA 16–13
AMES, Iowa — More than a decade of waiting came to an end Saturday night at Jack Trice Stadium. For the first time since 2011, Iowa State beat Iowa at home. And fittingly, it was once again Kyle Konrardy, the long-distance specialist, who sealed the outcome with a 54-yard field goal inside the final two minutes. Final score: 16–13.
The Cy-Hawk Trophy stays in Ames, with the rivalry once again tipping toward the Cyclones in a now familiar script. After all, it was the same Konrardy who crushed the Hawkeyes last year in Iowa City on a… 54-yarder in the closing seconds.
A GAME STEEPED IN HISTORY
This rivalry is rarely an offensive showcase, and the 2025 edition was no exception. Iowa held the edge in time of possession (31:08 to 28:52) and finished with 214 total yards, but the Cyclones’ defense rose to the occasion in key moments, limiting the Hawkeyes to just 83 passing yards.
For Iowa State, Rocco Becht played with poise, putting up a steady line (18/27, 134 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT). He connected with Benjamin Brahmer for the Cyclones’ only touchdown of the night and consistently kept drives alive with efficient throws (5 yards per attempt).
On the other side, Mark Gronowski struggled under heavy pressure. Despite scoring a rushing touchdown, he managed just 83 passing yards at 3.5 yards per attempt and threw a costly interception. His 37 rushing yards weren’t enough to mask an otherwise rough evening.
THE KONRARDY FACTOR
The numbers speak for themselves: three made field goals (44, 27, and 54 yards), 100 percent accuracy, and the ability to deliver when his team needed it most.
With the game tied at 13–13, tension was at its peak. Iowa had just chewed up more than nine minutes of clock on a 77-yard drive capped by a Drew Stevens field goal. But Becht and the Cyclones responded with a 13-play, 55-yard march.
The turning point came on a miraculous catch by Gabe Burkle (3 catches, 33 yards), who turned a tipped pass into a 17-yard gain. That set up Konrardy for another storybook finish, replicating his heroics from 2024. The Ames crowd erupted, knowing history had repeated itself.
“It all comes down to my fundamentals,” Konrardy said after the game. “I’m blessed to have this opportunity, but this was a collective win. The offense and defense both did their job.”
CYCLONE DEFENSE FUELS THE WIN
If Konrardy was the hero, the Iowa State defense was the engine. Linebacker Marcus Neal Jr. tallied 9 tackles, while the duo of Domonique Orange and Tamatoa McDonough applied constant pressure (McDonough finished with 2 sacks).
But it was Jeremiah Cooper’s first-half interception that shifted momentum. Snagged inside Iowa’s 20-yard line, it set up Brahmer’s touchdown. From that point on, the Cyclones never relinquished control.
“You win these games when your best players step up in critical moments,” head coach Matt Campbell said. “Kyle is that kind of player. We trust him.”
HAWKEYES OUT OF SYNC
For Iowa, the night was a mixed bag. The Hawkeyes proved capable of putting together long, physical drives (a 16-play, 85-yard march capped by Gronowski’s rushing score before halftime), but elsewhere they faltered: just 5-of-14 on third down and 1-of-2 on fourth down conversions.
The offensive line was consistently overmatched, leaving Gronowski scrambling and unable to establish rhythm. Jaziun Patterson (11 carries, 60 yards, 5.5 avg) was their lone reliable option, but his impact was limited by the absence of a vertical passing threat.
A RIVALRY SHIFTS
This victory further cements the momentum behind Matt Campbell’s program: three wins in the last four meetings. Long regarded as the “little brother” in the state, the Cyclones now carry a new level of consistency.
Meanwhile, Kirk Ferentz and Iowa face a bitter reality: their offense has yet to find its footing with Gronowski, and the rivalry balance has tilted away from them.
FINAL WORD
Once again, the Cy-Hawk Game came down to a kick. Once again, Kyle Konrardy changed the story. But more broadly, Iowa State proved it has elevated its program. In a state where this rivalry often defines a season, the Cyclones have taken command. And in 2025, there’s no doubt: this is Cyclone State.
The win lifts Iowa State (3–0) to a foundation-building victory that keeps them firmly in the Top 20 conversation. Next up: a trip to Arkansas State to keep the momentum rolling.
For Iowa (1–1), offensive inefficiency remains the glaring issue as they prepare to host UMass. The defense is solid, but the Hawkeyes need to find a spark if they want to keep pace with their in-state rivals.
KEY STATS:
Iowa State Cyclones
Rocco Becht (QB) — 18/27, 134 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT
Abu Sama III (RB) — 12 CAR, 47 yds (3.9 AVG)
Carson Hansen (RB) — 11 CAR, 46 yds (4.2 AVG)
Benjamin Brahmer (TE) — 4 REC, 18 yds, 1 TD
Kyle Konrardy (K) — 3/3 FG (44, 27, 54), 1/1 XP, 10 pts
Iowa Hawkeyes
Mark Gronowski (QB) — 13/24, 83 yds, 1 INT; 16 CAR, 37 yds, 1 TD
Jaziun Patterson (RB) — 11 CAR, 60 yds (5.5 AVG)
Xavier Williams (RB) — 7 CAR, 26 yds (3.7 AVG)
Jacob Gill (WR) — 5 REC, 52 yds (10.4 AVG)
Drew Stevens (K) — 2/2 FG (31, 36), 1/1 XP, 7 pts
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