The Iowa State Cyclones are set to travel to Iowa City on Saturday night, September 12 at 6:30 p.m., for a much‑anticipated showdown with the Hawkeyes that will kick off the 2026 college football season.
Coach Jimmy Rogers, entering his first year as head coach of the Cyclones, brings a fresh perspective after serving as defensive coordinator at South Dakota State, where he faced Iowa’s disciplined style in 2022.
Rogers emphasized that matching Iowa’s physicality and technical execution will be essential for the Cyclones to compete, noting that the Hawkeyes are known for a hard‑nosed, technically sound approach under legendary coach Kirk Ferentz.
Rogers’ Strategic Emphasis
Iowa’s quarterback tandem features Hank Brown, a traditional pocket passer who completed 12‑of‑20 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in the opener against Northern Illinois, and Jeremy Hecklinski, whose mobility was on display as he went 7‑of‑16 for 76 yards, a 24‑yard long, and an interception.
While Brown’s precision and Hecklinski’s improvisation present different challenges, Rogers said the Cyclones must tighten up first‑down conversions and third‑down efficiency, areas where Iowa State stumbled in its season opener.
Defensively, the Cyclones missed 19 tackles and saw a dip in performance during the third quarter, a trend they will need to correct if they hope to stay competitive for the full 60 minutes.
Rogers anticipates that Iowa will bring a high‑energy effort across offense, defense and special teams, and he stresses that the Cyclones must match that intensity from the opening snap to the final whistle.
With the rivalry’s storied history and the stakes of early‑season momentum, the game promises to be a litmus test for both programs as they look to establish dominance in the Big 12 conference.