Iowa Football Looks to End Kinnick Stadium Woes Against Iowa State in 2026
After winning six straight Cy-Hawk games from 2015 to 2021, the Iowa Hawkeyes have hit a rough patch against their in-state rival. When the two teams meet on Sept. 12, 2026, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa will be heavily favored. But the Hawkeyes face a stubborn challenge: winning at home.
Iowa State ended an eight-year drought in 2022 and has kept the momentum, winning again in 2024 and 2025. The Cyclones' recent success means it will be 1,099 days since Iowa's last triumph when they kick off this season. That 2023 win was vacated, but the frustration is real for Hawkeye fans.
Home Field Advantage Fading for Hawkeyes
Iowa holds a 25-15 edge at home in the rivalry's 72-year history. But winning at Kinnick has become a struggle. Since 2010, the Hawkeyes are just 2-4 in Iowa City, including two straight losses. The last home win came in 2018, a game that tested fans' patience.
That 2018 matchup was ugly. Iowa State opened its season in Iowa City after a lightning delay canceled its opener against South Dakota State. The Cyclones took an early 3-0 lead, then stalled. Their next drives: punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, turnover on downs, punt, punt, fumble.
Iowa, which had already played a game, struggled too. Kicker Miguel Recinos missed two field goals. The Hawkeyes held a slim 6-3 lead in the fourth quarter. Then quarterback Nate Stanley found Brandon Smith for 30 yards on third-and-4, setting up Mekhi Sargent's game-sealing touchdown.
Defensive end A.J. Epenesa stripped the ball from backup quarterback Zeb Noland to end any comeback. Iowa won 13-3, capping an undefeated stretch against the Cyclones for its senior class.
Key Stats and Season Outcomes
Stanley completed 16 of 28 passes for 166 yards with no touchdowns but no turnovers. The Hawkeyes totaled just 105 rushing yards, with Toren Young leading at 68 yards. Both teams finished strong. Iowa State started 1-3, but backup Brock Purdy took over and led the Cyclones to a program-best six Big 12 wins and an 8-5 record.
Iowa raced to a 6-1 start, eyeing a Big Ten West title, but three straight losses in late October ended those hopes. The Hawkeyes finished 8-4 in the regular season, then beat Mississippi State 27-22 in the Outback Bowl to finish 9-4 and ranked No. 25 in the final AP poll.
What This Means for 2026
Iowa enters 2026 as the favorite, but the home field edge has slipped. The Hawkeyes need to reclaim Kinnick Stadium to shift the rivalry back in their favor. Fans will watch closely as the team aims to end a losing streak that has tested their loyalty.
For Iowa football, the Cy-Hawk game is more than a trophy. It is a measure of progress under head coach Kirk Ferentz and a chance to prove the program can win big games at home.