Hawkeyes look to extend win streak inside Jack Trice Stadium

While Kinnick Stadium is the official home stadium for the Hawkeyes, they have turned Jack Trice Stadium into Kinnick Stadium West out in Ames. The Hawkeyes have won the last six games they’ve played against the Cyclones in Jack Trice Stadium.

“When you go on the road, you really have to just an ability to focus and block things out, and just focus on what’s important, and there’s a lot more things to probably get distracted by when you go on the road than maybe at home,” said Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football’s head coach.

“I know everyone says it’s super crazy, super hostile, but I feel like I’m ready for it,” said Xavier Williams, an Iowa running back. “Just the energy that will be in the stadium. I feel like it helps you, you know what I’m saying. Big stadium, big Saturday, big game. You just got to feel the energy. Don’t let the energy make you clam up, or anything like that. I think it will be super fun.”

Zach Lutmer is one of 43 Iowans on the Hawkeye roster. The Cy-Hawk rivalry is a game he grew up watching annually.

“Coaches have gone there quite a few years now,” Lutmer said. “They’ve said it’s a hostile environment, and as it should be. It’s an in-state rivalry and that’s kind of what you dream for as a kid… It’s going to be an extremely hard battle, and one that we are willing to fight for.”

Iowa State is favored by three points, but the road team has won the last five games in the series.

“Growing up, like, this was the one that everyone was looking forward to,” said Mark Gronowski, Iowa’s quarterback. “A lot of guys are looking forward to it this week. I didn’t know much about the Cy-Hawk game (before) coming into Iowa, but we’ve learned a lot about it and the intensity. The work up in practice has been a lot more this week than it has been.”

The Cy-Hawk game takes place on Sept. 5.