Defense carries Hawkeyes over rival
Four takeaways, fumble return TD thwart Cyclones
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Jack Campbell returned a fumble 6 yards for a touchdown and No. 10 Iowa ran its winning streak against No. 9 Iowa State to six games with a 27-17 victory Saturday that ruined the most-anticipated home game in Cyclones history.
In the first Cy-Hawk Trophy game matching ranked teams in 65 total meetings, the Hawkeyes (2-0) were not about to play the foil for Iowa State’s feel-good story.
Iowa turned four takeaways into 20 points, ran its overall winning streak to eight games and its winning streak against ranked teams to five. Iowa has not won that many in a row against ranked opponents since 1960.
The Hawkeyes used a familiar formula as last week when they had two defensive touchdowns in a rout of Indiana, another upstart program looking to build off 2020’s success.
Maybe the Cyclones will have better luck in the Big 12 because the Hawkeyes from the Big Ten are heartbreakers.
With the Cyclones backed up to their goal line, All-American Breece Hall was stripped by Iowa’s Jestin Jacobs. Campbell scooped the bouncing ball and took a couple of strides into the end zone to make it 21-10 with 5:08 left in the third quarter.
The Hawkeyes celebrated while Hall was face down on the turf for a few extra seconds,
frustrated by a critical mistake. One that has become so common in this series for Iowa State.
Matt Hankins had two of Iowa’s three interceptions against Brock Purdy, who was benched for Hunter Dekkers early in the fourth quarter.
Hankins’ second pick at the end of the third quarter left the Hawkeyes in Iowa State territory and seemed to kill all hope from the Cyclones’ sellout crowd of 61,500.
The hype song “Jump Around” blared inside Jack Trice Stadium heading into the fourth quarter, but it hardly caused a stir in the stands on a hot, mercifully overcast day in Ames.
Caleb Shudak knocked home a 22-yard field goal to make it 27-10 with 12:53 left in the fourth and that was pretty much it.
Spencer Petras threw a pretty 26-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Jones and Tyler Goodson had a 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter for Iowa.
The Hawkeyes managed just 173 yards, but it was good enough.
The Cyclones came into this season with sky-high expectations, a loaded and experienced roster and hot-commodity coach. One significant milestone has eluded Iowa State during its program renaissance under Matt Campbell: A victory against Iowa.
Maybe next year.