Iowa State freshman kicker Kyle Konrardy kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired to give the Cyclones a thrilling 20-19 victory over No. 21 Iowa in the historic Cy-Hawk rivalry on Saturday.
In a pulsating atmosphere at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, it was Iowa State who emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Cy-Hawk rivalry, upsetting No. 21 Iowa 20-19. Freshman kicker Kyle Konrardy played the hero, drilling a 42-yard field goal as time expired to secure the dramatic victory.
Iowa State, under the guidance of first-year head coach Matt Campbell, orchestrated a determined performance against their in-state rivals. The Cyclones defense stood tall throughout the contest, limiting the potent Iowa offense to just 250 yards of total offense.
Iowa State Upsets No. 21 Iowa in Thrilling Cy-Hawk Clash
The Cyclones struck first blood in the second quarter, as quarterback Jacob Park connected with wide receiver Deshaunte Jones for a 44-yard touchdown. However, Iowa responded swiftly, with running back Akrum Wadley scampering for a 55-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
The second half played out as a fiercely contested affair, with both teams trading field goals and neither side able to establish a significant advantage. Iowa appeared poised to seize control of the game in the fourth quarter when quarterback C.J. Beathard found wide receiver Matt VandeBerg for a 27-yard touchdown pass, putting the Hawkeyes ahead 19-10.
Undeterred, Iowa State mounted a stirring comeback. Park orchestrated a 10-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by running back David Montgomery, reducing the deficit to 19-17.
With time winding down, Iowa State drove the ball methodically down the field, setting up Konrardy for his game-winning field goal attempt. The freshman kicker calmly stepped up and delivered, sending the Cyclones' sideline into a frenzy of celebration.
The victory marks Iowa State's first triumph over Iowa since 2014 and gives the Cyclones a major boost of confidence heading into the remainder of the season. For Iowa, the loss is a significant setback as they seek to build on their strong start to the campaign.
The Cy-Hawk rivalry remains one of the most intense in college football, with the two teams battling for supremacy in the state of Iowa. Iowa State's victory is a testament to the growth and development of their program under Campbell, while Iowa will look to bounce back from this disappointing setback.
* Iowa State's defense was led by linebacker Joel Lanning, who recorded a game-high 11 tackles.
* Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard completed 15 of 25 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.
* Iowa State running back David Montgomery rushed for 135 yards on 23 carries.
* The attendance at Kinnick Stadium was 70,585, the largest crowd of the season.
* Iowa State's victory snapped a three-game losing streak to Iowa.
* The Cyclones improved to 3-2 on the season, while Iowa fell to 5-1.
* The game was delayed for 30 minutes due to lightning in the area.
* Iowa State will face Kansas next Saturday, while Iowa will travel to Purdue.
