Matt Hankins, Iowa Football News: Draft Scout Player News

09/11/21 - CB Matt Hankins, rSr/2022, Iowa

Iowa defensive end Zach VanValkenburg and offensive lineman Jack Plumb marched across the end zone with the Cy-Hawk Trophy perched on their shoulders, showing it off to the Hawkeyes fans who had come to Jack Trice Stadium to see the biggest game in the history of the rivalry with Iowa State. The trophy checks in at about 90 pounds and for all the progress the ninth-ranked Cyclone have made in recent years, they just can't pry it away from the Hawkeyes. Jack Campbell returned a fumble 6 yards for a touchdown and No. 10 Iowa ran its winning streak against Iowa State to six games with a 27-17 victory Saturday that ruined the most-anticipated home game in Cyclones history. In the first Cy-Hawk game matching ranked teams in 65 total meetings, the Hawkeyes (2-0) were not about to play the foil for Iowa State's feel-good story.

The Cyclones (1-1) hosted ESPN's "GameDay," and after years of mediocrity - at best - they came into this season ranked in the top 10. Ames was rocking, but the rivals from across the state sucked the life out of Jack Trice. Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs said the atmosphere was "crazy." "You really can't describe it until you're in it," Jacobs said. "Just to get that win in hostile territory fills you with emotion." Iowa turned four takeaways into 20 points, ran its overall winning streak to eight games and its winning streak against ranked teams to five. Iowa has not won that many in a row against ranked opponents since 1960. "Polls in September, they really don't mean a lot," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "But for us it's all about building a team." This Iowa team looks like a contender in the Big Ten thanks to its defense. "You talk about physicality, that's what you do at Iowa," said Campbell, who had eight tackles and half a sack. - Iowa/AP College Football

rSr/2022