For the second consecutive year, Iowa State running back Darren Davis has made Iowa a Cyclone state.

The senior from Miami, Fla., rushed for 238 yards on 35 carries as the Cyclones defeated the University of Iowa, 17-10, on a beautiful September evening at Jack Trice Stadium.

A year ago, Davis rushed for 244 yards to key a 27-9 Cyclone victory at Kinnick Stadium, and it was more of the same this year.

“I think we made a statement that we are gong to be here for a long time, and we are very happy with the win,” coach Dan McCarney said.

ISU jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead after a score on the game’s opening drive.

Darren Davis capped the 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive with a nine yard touchdown run that featured a key block by quarterback Sage Rosenfels.

“I just handed the ball off to Darren and went on my bootleg fake. After he was dancing around in the backfield, I found myself ahead of him, and I thought I’d lower my shoulder and it turned out it sprang Darren for the score. Whatever it takes for us to win the game, I’ll do it,” Rosenfels said.

After Iowa drove the length of the field and missed a 37-yard field goal, the Cyclones took over on their own 12-yard line.

After an incompletion and an eight-yard pass to Ennis Haywood, Rosenfels found Damien Groce along the left sidelines for an 80-yard touchdown connection.

With only 12 minutes gone by, the Cyclones were up 14-0.

After the quick start, both teams’ defense took over. The remainder of the half was characterized by solid Cyclone defense and missed opportunities on the offensive end for ISU.

These included an ill-fated pass by Rosenfels that was intercepted by Iowa safety Tarig Holman in the endzone and a field goal attempt by Mike McKnight that was blocked as the half ran out.

Although the Cyclones dominated the half statistically, outgaining Iowa 297-116, ISU was only up by two touchdowns at the pay window.

After an exchange of punts to begin the second half, Iowa drove 35 yards in five plays for the first offensive touchdown of the year for the Hawks.

The drive, which was entirely on the ground, was highlighted by a 24-yard Ledell Betts scamper and capped by Robbie Crockett’s six-yard jaunt into the endzone.

The rest of the quarter played to a standstill with Iowa punting twice and ISU kicking it away once. ISU committed its third turnover of the game when Rosenfels and Davis misplayed a handoff.

Perhaps the biggest play of the game came on the final snap of the third quarter. Rosenfels handed to Davis, who had come out of the game on several occasions with leg cramps.

The Hawkeye-killer then rumbled 54 yards up the middle, running all the way to the Hawkeye 20-yard line before being caught from behind.

“I thought I could have made it all the way, but I had already come out a couple times, and my legs were hurting. If it was the first quarter, I think I would’ve gone all the way,” Davis said.

The importance of the play was not lost on anyone.

“I was really excited after that play. He’s excellent at finding his way through stuff. He really played well tonight,” Cyclone offensive lineman Ben Bruns said.

After three more Davis runs, McKnight came on to make his first collegiate field goal, nailing a 39-yarder to give ISU a 17-7 advantage.

After another exchange of punts, Iowa again threatened, as it had a crucial third-and-six at the Cyclone 24 yard-line.

Iowa quarterback Kyle McCann then fumbled the ball after a hit by Cyclone Jesse Beckom, and the Hawks had to settle for a 47-yard field goal, which barely crossed the uprights to bring Iowa within a touchdown with 6:36 left in the game.

After Rosenfels was picked off for the second time in the game, this time on a deep ball by Shane Hall, the Hawks had a chance to mount a tying drive with 4:58 left.

On second-and-four from the 36-yard line, the Hawkeyes ran a reverse to wide receiver Kevin Kasper. As he turned the corner, the only thing between him and a game-tying 64-yard touchdown run was Cyclone James Reed.

However, the junior from Saginaw, Mich., stopped Kasper in his tracks for a nine-yard loss.

The next play, Iowa was forced to punt.

After the Cyclones failed to muster anything, the Hawks took over for one final drive on their own 27 with 1:58 left.

The drive sputtered, as McCann netted only three yards on four pass attempts, and the Cyclones captured the mythical state title for the second year in a row.