AMES -- It's the best week of the year for Iowa and Iowa State football fans.
The Cy-Hawk matchup lives to see another year, as the No. 18-ranked Cyclones (2-0) host the Hawkeyes (1-0) on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m.
Iowa State came away with the win last season when Kyle Konrardy hit two fourth-quarter field goals - including a 54-yarder with six seconds remaining in the game - to secure the victory.
But that happened in Iowa City, and it's been six years since the last time either program won this rivalry matchup at home. The Hawkeyes beat Iowa State in Iowa City,13-3, during the 2018 season.
"There is so much energy around this game," said head coach Matt Campbell. "The home team probably feels that a lot more, just because you're living in it from Thursday, Friday to Saturday."
Here are three more takeaways from what Campbell said ahead of Saturday's Cy-Hawk matchup.
Since 2019, this game has drawn in "College GameDay" twice and now in 2025, FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff" pregame show. It shows that the growth of both teams - particularly Iowa State - is at the center of national attention and also demonstrates that the importance of the Cy-Hawk game extends beyond Iowa's borders.
One of the more unique things for Campbell, though, is that the Cyclones' schedule this season will feature two of Iowa State's biggest rivalries in the first three weeks of the year. Iowa State defeated Kansas State in Week 0.
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"(Iowa's) program was so established by the time we came in here that I felt like we've been playing catch-up for a while, in terms of the consistency that we want to play football," Campbell said.
"Just a lot of respect for the rivalry, a lot of uniqueness of playing this game so early. Obviously, unique this year, we're challenged where your two biggest rivals, in terms of rival football games, you're playing those in the first three weeks of the season."
Gronowski transferred to Iowa after several successful seasons at South Dakota State, including three years in which he threw for over 2,700 yards and over 20 touchdowns. He also won two FCS national titles. Expectations were, once again, high for the latest quarterback to transfer to Iowa City.
But Gronowski's performance in Week 1 against Albany left a lot to be desired.
In the Hawkeyes' 34-7 win over the Great Danes, the quarterback completed 8-of-15 passes for 44 total yards and one touchdown. He carried the ball 11 times for 39 total yards and one more score.
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"Number one, I think most importantly, there's a great respect for anybody that wins at the level that he's won," Campbell said. "I think he's tough. I think he's really physical. I think he's gritty. And again, a guy that's got championship pedigree.
"I just had the utmost respect for what I saw at South Dakota State, how he led his football team there. Hard read on Saturday in terms of what we're watching, but you saw a guy that just kept getting better and better and better throughout the ball game."
Campbell provided a brief update when asked about the injury status of offensive lineman Trevor Buhr and linebacker Carson Willich.
Buhr played in 13 games - and started six - last season, but has not played in the Cyclones' first two games of 2025. Willich was spotted in a boot ahead of the South Dakota game after he recorded five tackles in the season opener against Kansas State.
"Both are questionable," Campbell shared. "I don't think either of those guys are obviously long term, but I would say going into it, both are questionable right now."
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.