IOWA CITY, Iowa — Even though a final score of 9-6 doesn’t seem like an exciting game to watch, Iowa State’s three-point victory against rival Iowa was certainly another entertaining chapter added to the Cy-Hawk football rivalry. 

“It’s a great victory; I’m very proud of our kids,” said ISU Head Coach Paul Rhoads. “Two teams that hung around, persevered, waited for the opportunity to win a football game.”

Quarterback Steele Jantz stayed hot on the first drive carrying over from last week’s victory against Tulsa. Jantz completed all five of his passes with one incompletion being negated by a pass interference call. The drive was capped off with a touchdown pass to Aaron Horne over the middle. 

Jantz finished the half 16-of-23 for 163 yards with a touchdown and an interception. In the first quarter alone, Jantz was 7-of-7 with 63 yards and a touchdown. In the second quarter, he took a few shots down the field to a few open receivers but overthrew the ball each time. 

In the second half, the Iowa defense made adjustments to slow down the passing game and the run game by stunting with defensive linemen, rushing the passer and press coverage on the outside to negate quick passes  that Iowa State took advantage of in the first half.

A majority of those short passes in the first half were caught by Aaron Horne, who had five catches for 66 yards and a score in the first two quarters alone. 

Iowa State was only able to muster 110 yards of offense in the second half. Jantz accounted for three turnovers — two interceptions and a fumble that occurred in an exchange between him and fellow Cyclone James White. Iowa State gave away three turnovers in the red zone, which made Jantz admit he felt lucky sitting there after the game with a win and left him focusing on praising his defense’s performance.

“Obviously we had some turnovers and some mistakes,” Jantz said. “I can’t stress it enough: The defense did a huge job for us today. It’s beyond fortunate, and that’s why so much credit goes to the defense because any time you have three turnovers in the red zone and leave that many points on the field, it’s tough for the defense.”

Even with Jantz struggling with his first trip to Kinnick Stadium, Rhoads was quick to back his quarterback’s play, giving credit to the Hawkeye defense.

“You’ve got to go back and look at the interceptions,” Rhoads said. “Things happen so fast, and sometimes when you’re in the booth, you have a clearer picture than you do on the sideline because you know what you’re looking at, and you have a clear picture.”

“I think there was a period there in the first half where he was playing really, really good football. I’m not walking away from this game disappointed in Steele Jantz.” 

George continues to impress

Rhoads continued to be pleased with his first-year starter and middle linebacker, Jeremiah George.

On two separate occasions, George made touchdown-saving plays. During the goal line stand, George took down Bullock in the backfield after shooting the gap. Rhoads said George’s play later in the game was a “huge play.”

On a third and 10 at midfield, Hawkeye C.J. Fiedorowicz was running right to left across the middle. Vandenberg led Fiedorowicz slightly but not enough to prevent George from coming around to knock it out of his hands.

Without the deflection, Fiedorowicz would have had a clear shot at the end zone for a likely touchdown to tie the game at 9-9 pending an extra point.

“Huge play. Fingertip-type of play,” Rhoads said. “The funny thing about Jeremiah George is he’s usually the one that’s out of control. He was quite the contrary today. He was focused; he was calm; he was in and out with base and nickel, and that’s why you make a play like that [tipped pass] with the game on the line; because you’re focused.”