Cyclones nab win over Hawkeyes 16-13 for Cy-Hawk Trophy
The Hawkeyes and Cyclones played to a one possession game on Saturday afternoon at Jack Trice Stadium before Kyle Konrardy kicked a 54-yard field goal with 1:56 left in the game to grab the win. Iowa State entered the game ranked 16th in the AP Poll while Iowa was looking to gauge the quality of their team on the road.
K Kyle Konrardy kicks the game winner late in the 4th quarter for the Cyclones
The Hawkeyes defense played very well holding QB Rocco Becht and the Cyclone offense to 238 total yards. Meanwhile the Hawkeyes offensive woes continued. While the Hawks had a long touchdown producing drive to end the first half, it appeared the offensive line was gaining confidence in the 3rd. But, as the game wore on down the stretch, QB Mark Gronowski couldn’t find enough open receivers to keep drives alive. Gronowski finished the game with 13 completions, 24 attempts, and 83 yards through the air. He also threw an interception when WR Kaden Wetjen slipped during his route and set up an easy Iowa State touchdown in the 4th quarter.
In this series it seems as though there is always a pivotal play or two that end up defining the game for the winners. Midway through the 4th quarter, it looked as though the Hawkeye defense would once again stifle a Cyclone drive. But a Rocco Becht pass was tipped and miraculously fell right into the hands of TE Gabe Burkle for a first down.
Iowa State has now won 3 of the last 4 meetings between the two clubs. This victory for the ‘Clones was the first in Jack Trice Stadium since 2011.
