Peterson: Iowa State Cy-Hawk thoughts include a never-say-die effort by a young Cyclones team

AMES – Jayden Higgins won a one-on-one battle in the end zone, and suddenly Iowa State only trailed by a touchdown with just shy of 3 minutes left in the Cy-Hawk game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday.

If the Cyclones' defense holds, could we be in for another game in which a late drive settles the score? Iowa State forced a three-and-out, before Tory Taylor, the nation’s best punter, put the Cyclones at their own 31-yard line with 1:48 and one timeout left.

Could the offense get it done?

Maybe next time.

Iowa 20, Iowa State 13 was the final of a game in which Iowa State’s offense may have grown up in the final few minutes.

The offense showed some good throughout the game, but clearly not enough against a great defense.

True freshman Ben Brahmer played like a veteran. Punter Tyler Perkins had another booming game. Other than that and the defense, positives were tough to find.

Talk about a lost Iowa State opportunity – something you cannot do against a Power 5 opponent.

The Cyclones were rolling on their first possession. Becht was on target. Running back Cartevious Norton was good. The offensive line was improved over the Northern Iowa opening game and their first three third downs were converted.

But on fourth down, as Iowa’s very good defense finally stiffened, Chase Contreraz was called on for a 36-yard field goal. Chump change, you thought, after his Cyclones career started with a 56-yarder in the opener.

Not so. His attempt was blocked, giving Iowa three blocked kicks in this series in the past two games.

Those are opportunities that Iowa State cannot afford to lose, especially against one of the nation’s finer defenses.

More: Instant analysis: Offense falters for Iowa State football in Cy-Hawk loss to Iowa

Campbell has been tooting the horns of his tight ends all season. That was emphasized Saturday.

Five tight ends played during the Cyclones’ first possession. That’s right. Easton Dean, Gabe Burkle, Ben Brahmer, Tyler Moore and Stevo Klotz played on the first drive.

They didn’t do much, with just two catches during the first half, which Iowa led 17-3 at the break. Brahmer caught a pass Dean caught a pass. That’s it during the opening 30 minutes.

Against Northern Iowa in the opener, tight ends accounted for seven of the Cyclones’ 14 completions. That certainly didn’t happen on Saturday.

Here’s to more Cy-Hawk football games. Here’s hoping this pride of Iowa game holds onto its place in state of Iowa's history.

When the next round of college football’s annual expansion hits, please somehow maintain this series. The state of Iowa needs it. College football needs trophy games like this.

“Our world is continuing to evolve and change,” Campbell said last week. “This is a great rivalry football game, between two great schools and two great institutions. It’s great for our state.”

He knows, however, that more conference teams could mean more conference games during a 12-game regular season. Do Iowa State and Iowa want to continue playing this Power 5 vs. Power 5 game, when only two non-conference games might be available? That’s the question, given that lesser opponents often provide better opportunities for victory.

“The world we’re living in is an unknown across the board,” Campbell added. “You don’t know what the ramifications are. Are you going to play 10 conference games or 11 conference games? Where are we going, and what’s it going to look like?”

Saturday in Ames, it looked like Cy-Hawk always looks – more tailgaters than fans with tickets, and more national exposure from multiple politicians looking to take advantage of this important be-seen game. Local eating (and drinking) establishments are packed before and after games. Hotels are full throughout the area.

“I’m a huge proponent of the game,” Campbell said. “It’s a great test for both teams in the early part of the football season. Two teams so close, in very different conferences, playing this game early in the season all make it a unique football game.”

A unique game that needs to stay, regardless of how big the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences change.

Let’s not forget something the Big Ten did a few weeks ago – that other conference must soon follow.

That conference said all its coaches must submit an availability report a couple of hours before games. The reports are public They’re on the conference’s website.

We knew before Saturday’s Cy-Hawk game, for example, that Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara was questionable, and that Noah Shannon was definitely out. It’s all about who might play and who definitely isn’t, and that’s it. No reasons are given, and at the college level – that’s just fine.

Congratulations to the Big Ten. Shame on the other four major conferences for not adopting something that’s overdue.

With gambling legal in most states, it’s time college football gets its head out of the sand. It’s time to fess up on who’s being withheld, instead of locker room informants randomly providing that information.

Would Campbell be all right with submitting public participation lists?

“Absolutely, if it was standard across the board (nationally),” he said last week. “I’d probably be in favor of it.”

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson is in his 51st year writing sports for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, and on Twitter @RandyPete

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Peterson: Iowa State Cy-Hawk thoughts include a never-say-die Cyclones effort