The Battle For The Cy-Hawk Trophy 2015

If you live in the state of Iowa, you are probably aware of the ongoing rivalry between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones. These two in-state rivals have been battling on the field since 1894, when the Cyclones won their first match up against the Hawks 16-8. In 1976, a special trophy was created that the winner could take home until their next game. This was known as the Cy-Hawk trophy. Iowa currently leads the rivalry series 41-22.

On September 12, 2015, the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones met up once again. The game was held at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa; home of the Cyclones. The Cy-Hawk trophy was already in Ames due to the Cyclone's victory last year. The game started slow with both teams being stopped on their opening drives and forced to punt. On Iowa's next possession, however, they drove the balls 51 yards to the Iowa State 31 yard line and Marshall Koehn, Iowa's kicker, put in a 49-yard field goal to put the Hawkeyes up 3-0. Their lead did not last long though as ISU came back on their next possession and made a 37-yard field goal by Cole Netten to tie the game. Later in the half, the Cyclones would get the ball back and take the lead with a touchdown pass from Sam Richardson to Quenton Bundrage. After trading empty possessions, Iowa would finally score a touchdown with 4:16 remaining in the first half with a 14-yard pass from C. J. Beathard to Tevaun Smith. Although Iowa thought they would have the momentum at the break, the Cyclones marched down the field in less than two minutes to shock the Hawkeyes with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Richardson to Jauan Wesley. The Hawks had a chance to score with 2:18 left in the half, but failed to score a touchdown on a surprise fake field goal called by Iowa's head coach Kirk Ferrentz. At the break, ISU led the Hawkeyes 17-10, and looked optimistic to keep the Cy-Hawk trophy in Ames.

The Cyclones received the kickoff to start off the second half, but failed to get even a single first down, being stopped by the Hawkeyes' defense. The Hawkeyes had much better luck taking the ball 62 yards in 6 plays to tie the game 17 all after Matt VandeBerg recovered a fumble near the in-zone and dove in for a touchdown. Throughout the rest of the third quarter, neither offense was able to best their opponent's defense, thus the game remained tied 17-17 with only one quarter left to play.

On Iowa's first drive in the fourth quarter, they drove the ball deep into Iowa State territory, but Jordan Canzeri, Iowa's running back, made a crucial error by fumbling the ball at the Cyclone's 7-yard line. Luckily for the Hawkeyes, the Cyclone offense remained cold and were forced to punt the ball back to Iowa. The Hawks then proceeded to drive the ball 50 yards to score a touchdown and take the lead 24-17. On the Cyclone's next possession, Desmond King, of Iowa, intercepted Richardson's pass to crush the hearts of all Cyclone fans that had attended the game. Jordan Canzeri would then take the ball 25 yards in two plays to score another touchdown, and secure the game for the Hawks 31-17, ending this fantastic duel between the clashing schools of Iowa.