The home team hasn’t prevailed in the Cy-Hawk rivalry since 2018, and Iowa State hasn’t emerged victorious on its home turf in the series in 14 years.
The latter fact weighs heavy on the mind of Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht as No. 16 Iowa State hosts Iowa in the high-stakes rivalry matchup on Saturday afternoon at Ames, Iowa.
“I can’t wait for Ames, Iowa, to be electric on Saturday,” Becht told reporters Tuesday.
The Cyclones have dropped six straight at home in the series since winning a 44-41 triple-overtime shootout in 2011. Even Brock Purdy (2019, 2021) couldn’t come up with a home win over the Hawkeyes.
Becht took a shot in 2023, and the Cyclones trailed by 17 before rallying to make the margin of defeat (20-13) look better.
The Floridian knew nothing about the rivalry when he arrived at Iowa State. But he’s well-versed now after hearing about it throughout his stay.
“It means a lot to me because I know it means a lot to the program and the fans,” Becht said. “We need to do our justice to come out there in Ames, Iowa, and win a game for them. (Iowa) is a great team, and we have to play our best against them.”
Iowa State (2-0) shellacked FCS foe South Dakota 55-7 last Saturday after beating then-No. 17 Kansas State 24-21 in its opener in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 23.
Becht threw three touchdown passes against South Dakota and set a school single-game completion percentage mark (95) by completing 19 of 20 passes. Seneca Wallace (22 of 24, 91.7 percent) set the old mark against Baylor in 2001.
Kyle Konrardy booted a school-record 63-yard field goal for the Cyclones on Saturday.
The Hawkeyes opened last Saturday with a 34-7 home victory over FCS foe Albany.
Xavier Williams rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts to become the first Iowa player to run for 100 yards in their debut since Shonn Greene (116 vs. Ball State in 2005).
Iowa has won seven of the last nine meetings against Iowa State, and South Dakota State transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski said he is eager for his first opportunity to play in the rivalry. He likes it better that it will happen in Ames.
“It’s kind of nice because it’s me and the guys who are around me,” Gronowski told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s us going to do it in enemy territory, enemy stadium, and we just get to be with each other. Not really have to worry about anything else.
“It gives you a little bit of a chip on your shoulder. You know that nobody is really cheering for you, nobody is really hoping for your success at all, so you really have to just go out there and go play. It’s you and the guys against everybody else who are there.”
Gronowski was just 8-of-15 passing for 44 yards and one touchdown in his Iowa debut. He also rushed for 39 yards and a score.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said he isn’t concerned with the lack of passing prowess in Week 1.
“It wasn’t the way he wanted to play. The game didn’t turn out the way he wanted to, but he’s going to be fine,” Ferentz said of Gronowski. “He’s totally qualified and can play quarterback. Just got to relax and play and let the game come to him a little bit instead of trying to force things or get all jazzed up.”
–Field Level Media
