The road team had won the previous three battles when Iowa’s two biggest schools take the gridiron.

And this year’s game would be no different.

While it would take nearly the entire game, the Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) outlasted the Iowa State Cyclones (1-1, 0-0 Big 12), winning the annual Cy-Hawk game 31-17.

It was a slow start for both teams on Saturday, with very little offensive production on either side. A field goal from each side brought the score to 3-3, where it remained through the end of the opening quarter.

The second quarter brought more excitement, when Sam Richardson found Quenton Bundrage in the back of the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown. Iowa responded fast, though, when quarterback C.J. Beathard connected with Tevaun Smith for Iowa’s first touchdown of the night.

About two minutes later, the Cyclones struck again. Richardson hit Jauan Wesley for a 29-yard touchdown, giving Iowa State a 17-10 lead heading into the half.

In the third quarter, the Hawkeyes were able to punch one into the end zone when Matt Vandeberg scooped up a loss ball on the five yard line, tying the game back up 17-17.

The game remained tied through the rest of the third quarter, and the majority of the fourth quarter, with neither team able to retake the lead.

With 2:14 left in the game, Beathard hit Riley McCarron in the corner of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown, giving the Hawkeyes a 24-17 lead. 

The Cyclones would take the field for one last attempt, but Richardson was intercepted by Iowa’s Desmond King just a few plays into the drive. The Hawkeyes would find the end zone one last time on a Canzeri run, giving them the victory.

Iowa State will take the field next weekend on the road when they take on Toledo.