For many football fans in the state of Iowa, this is the biggest football game of the year. It is one of the great sports rivalries of the Midwest. It is Iowa versus Iowa State.

The two intra-state rivals are battling in the 70th edition of the Cy-Hawk game, fighting for a big early win. Bragging rights for the entire year are on the line today in Ames, Iowa.

Both teams enter the contest 1-0 after winning their Week 1 contests. The Hawkeyes and Cyclones feature defensive-heavy squads. This game promises some old-school, hard-hitting football. The Cy-Hawk game is much more than deciding the better of the two sides. The will of both of these teams will be tested by one another.

Enough preamble, we all know what’s at stake here. This is Iowa-Iowa State! Follow along below with our live blog, chronicling all of the action happening in real-time from Jack Trice Stadium. Remember to refresh the page to keep the updates rolling in.

Phil Parker's defense wins it!

Kirk Ferentz placed all of his trust in Phil Parker’s defense, and they got the job done. They shut down the Iowa State offense, getting the stop on a fourth and one run. Iowa has defeated their rivals and will be taking the Cy-Hawk Trophy home from Ames!

That’ll do it folks. Iowa moves onto 2-0 with a 20-13 victory over Iowa State.

Iowa gives Iowa State a chance

Welp, Brian Ferentz just gave Iowa State a great chance.

Three straight runs, the Hawkeyes get stuff on third down. Sure, the Cyclones used up all of their timeouts, but they have over a minute and a half now. Hawkeyes lead by seven and need a stop here.

Touchdown Iowa State

Well… this game just got a lot more scary.

Iowa State drives down the field, and bled the clock a lot doing so. Just as we’re all questioning what they’re doing, the Cyclones score on fourth down. Jayden Higgins fights through the contact and scores a touchdown with one hand.

Of course

20-14 Hawkeyes with 2:53 left to play. Cyclones have two timeouts left.

Iowa State adds to their total

Iowa State is back on the board, a 46-yard field goal capping off an eight-play drive for the Cyclones.

Iowa misses a big opportunity

NO!

Iowa had a shot at a long passing touchdown. Brian Ferentz dialed up a perfect play call on second down. Seth Anderson got open downfield with a double move, Cade McNamara just put it too far out in front of him. There was a lot of pressure, but man, Cade’s gonna want that throw back.

Finally getting the wide receivers involved

On Iowa’s next drive, they finally started to use their wide receivers. Catches by Seth Anderson, Diante Vines, and Nico Ragaini helped build Iowa’s best drive of the half. A miscommunication from the Iowa tight ends on third down leads to a Drew Stevens field goal. 20-3 Hawkeyes in the third.

Iowa starts the second half with a whimper

The second half is underway! Of course, Iowa starts it out with a three-play, one-yard drive. Just how we drew it up…

Iowa State on the board heading into halftime

The Cyclones earn some much-needed points before halftime, Chase Contreraz nailing a 42-yard field goal. The Hawkeyes will take a 17-3 lead into the half, they will get the ball first to start the second half.

Cade McNamara throws an interception, then Iowa State returns the favor!

PICK!

Cade McNamara throws his first interception of the year, and it probably should have been defensive pass interference. It seems as though the refs are just letting both sides play, which I personally love. Real football.

AND NOW IOWA STATE THROWS A PICK-SIX!

Sebastian Castro is all over the out route and takes it to the house! Poor poor decision from Becht, and now it’s 17-0 Hawkeyes with 4:29 left to play in the half!

Both offenses stall again

You know how the last Iowa drive was disappointing, this one was even worse. Iowa stalling after a pretty solid start once again…

I’m just gonna update this entry because it’s the same exact thing. Iowa State responded by getting locked up too. Hawkeyes defense winning the one-on-ones.

Iowa State gets a case of the drops

A three-and-out for the Cyclones, and you almost feel bad for Rocco Becht. Back-to-back drops kill the drive before it even gets started. Iowa gets the ball back right away after both sides trade disappointing drives.

Iowa State earns a big stop

Big three-and-out by the Iowa State defense. It’s concerning that a bad run on first down can still derail the entire drive for the Hawkeyes. Great tackle by, you guessed it, DeJean on the punt coverage.

Cooper DeJean takes over, causes a punt

Cooper DeJean has been giving the Iowa State offense problems early in this one. Has been everywhere on the field, making sure tackles in coverage. Already has three solo tackles. Iowa ball at their own 23.

Touchdown Jaziun Patterson!

Touchdown Hawkeyes!

Jaziun Patterson with another nice run, punches it in from four yards out to make it 10-0 Iowa. That is the freshman’s first touchdown of his career! Patterson has really shown out in his first Cy-Hawk game experience!

Big play by Lachey to end the half

Another great reception by Luke Lachey at the half. A great play call by Brian Ferentz on third-and-two dials up a shot to his tight end, who gets open downfield. Lachey has lived up to the hype early this season.

Iowa's defense stands tall, causes a punt

Big time third down stop by the Iowa defense with a yard to go for the Cyclones. Iowa State tried to earn the first up the middle, but there was just a swarm of black and gold jerseys. Iowa will start at their own 20 after a touchback on the punt.

Big run by Jaziun Patterson! Hawkeyes fail to capitalize.

What a run by Jaziun Patterson! Great block by Connor Colby pulling at right guard to set up a lane. Patterson has some legit juice, and takes Iowa 59 yards down to the Iowa State 12. Iowa fails to reach the end zone though. Field goal makes it 3-0 Hawkeyes with 5:56 left in the first.

Iowa bends but doesn't break on opening drive, blocks field goal attempt

You can exhale now Iowa fans, at least for a moment. Iowa State looked dangerous that first drive, converting on multiple third downs. The red zone defense held up though, and they blocked the kick! Was a bit of a scary first drive, but way to gain back momentum defense!

Iowa State receives the ball first

Iowa State receives the kickoff, and we are off! 70th Cy-Hawk game!

Iowa the Favorite

Expert opinions believe that it will be Iowa taking home the Cy-Hawk Trophy away from Ames. The College GameDay crew unanimously picked the Hawkeyes ahead of today’s contest.

A Beautiful Day for Football

You couldn’t ask for a better day for the Cy-Hawk rivalry game. Mostly sunny, not too hot at 81 degrees, and only mild winds.

Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire