The Top 10 Most Exciting Iowa vs. Iowa State Football Games of All Time

When the Hawkeyes and Cyclones meet, the entire state of Iowa stops. The Cy-Hawk rivalry has delivered iconic moments, shocking upsets, and heart-pounding finishes that fans still talk about years later. Here’s a countdown of the 10 most exciting games in the series.

10. 1980 – Iowa State 10, Iowa 7

After a 43-year hiatus, the rivalry was revived in 1977. By 1980, the series was already heating up. Iowa State edged Iowa in a gritty defensive battle, proving early on that this matchup would never be taken lightly again.

9. 2009 – Iowa 35, Iowa State 3

While the score wasn’t close, the excitement came from Iowa’s dominance. Tyler Sash recorded three interceptions, and the Hawkeye defense set the tone for what became an undefeated regular season and an Orange Bowl victory. For Hawkeye fans, this game felt like a statement of national legitimacy.

8. 2007 – Iowa State 15, Iowa 13

The Cyclones came in winless and stunned the Hawkeyes behind Bret Culbertson’s five field goals, including the winner with one second left. It was an unforgettable upset that sent shockwaves across the rivalry.

6. 1977– Iowa 12, Iowa State 10

A low-scoring but pivotal game in the Hayden Fry era. The Hawkeyes’ narrow victory signaled the rise of a program that would soon play in the Rose Bowl, while the Cyclones showed they could stand toe-to-toe with Iowa’s resurgence.

5. 2019 – Iowa 18, Iowa State 17

ESPN’s College GameDay came to Ames for the first time, and the game lived up to the hype. Back-and-forth all afternoon, it was ultimately decided by a muffed punt in the final minutes, giving Iowa the narrowest of victories in one of the rivalry’s most nerve-wracking finishes.

4. 2002 – Iowa State 36, Iowa 31

Down 24-7 at halftime in Kinnick, Seneca Wallace orchestrated a furious comeback. The Cyclones stormed back for one of the rivalry’s most memorable upsets, silencing the home crowd and stunning a Hawkeye team that would go on to share a Big Ten title.

3. 1998 – Iowa State 27, Iowa 9

After 15 straight losses to the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones finally broke through. Darren Davis and Sage Rosenfels powered ISU to a convincing win in Kinnick, snapping the streak and igniting a new chapter in the rivalry.

2. 2011 – Iowa State 44, Iowa 41 (3OT)

The most dramatic game in series history. Steele Jantz became an instant Cyclone legend, accounting for four touchdowns and rallying ISU multiple times in a back-and-forth shootout. The triple-overtime finish remains one of the defining moments of the Cy-Hawk rivalry.

1. 2021 – Iowa 27, Iowa State 17

For the first time, the Cy-Hawk game featured two Top 10 teams (#9 ISU vs. #10 Iowa). The buildup was massive, with College GameDay on site and national eyes watching. Iowa’s opportunistic defense forced four turnovers, propelling the Hawkeyes to victory and cementing this as one of the most high-profile Cy-Hawk clashes ever.

Final Thoughts

From defensive slugfests to offensive fireworks, the Cy-Hawk game has given fans unforgettable memories on both sides of the rivalry. Every September, new history is written—and no matter the score, the entire state wins by being part of one of college football’s most unique and passionate rivalries.