This year’s showdown between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones lived up to the “hype” thanks to a low-scoring affair full of baffling decisions, poor play, and absurd mistakes. Just like the college football world wanted.
The Cy-Hawk game has been dubbed by many fans as “El Assico” as a heated rivalry that tends to feature games lacking much fanfare, excitement, or pleasure for either fanbase. This year’s game was a classic example of all of that.
Iowa, which won 7-3 last week without scoring a touchdown, finally found a way into the endzone to score seven points the old-fashioned way.
BREAKING: Iowa has scored a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/EEswqOk2TL
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 10, 2022
However, in classic El Assico fashion, that was all the scoring they’d do on the day. Both teams traded brutal fumbles at the goal line and it appeared that neither one would score another touchdown all day as they combined for six total turnovers.
Iowa State put the ball in the endzone, but not in the way they wanted. pic.twitter.com/pZoqG8vzsw
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 10, 2022
From there, things got really weird, which we should have known when we saw a fan in the stands wearing Iowa State gear under his Iowa hoodie for some reason.
Sir, we don't think that's allowed at #ElAssico. pic.twitter.com/BzMagCdfUh
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 10, 2022
Eventually, Iowa State figured things out and churned out a 99-yard drive in the fourth quarter that ate up almost 12 minutes and culminated in an 8-yard touchdown pass to put the Cyclones up 10-7. Iowa had a chance to send the game to overtime but, of course, it was missed.
Iowa misses a field goal at the end of regulation and Iowa State wins #ElAssico 10-7! pic.twitter.com/o2UPFex4xH
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 10, 2022
Iowa State notched their first road win in the in-state rivalry since 2014 and the game lived up to the El Assico reputation, much to the delight of college football fans.
Iowa-Iowa State is a reminder that bad NFL football is really bad, but bad CFB is incredible.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) September 10, 2022
NOTHING has lived up to the billing quite like Iowa vs Iowa State
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) September 10, 2022
🚨🌪🚨
Iowa State finally did it. Ames might run out of Busch Light tonight.
— Max Olson (@max_olson) September 10, 2022
Iowa State picked off Iowa. Then Iowa State throws an interception in the end zone. Oh El Assico!!! pic.twitter.com/8NzSjVLmQT
— 🇸🇲 Sickos Committee 🇸🇲 (@SickosCommittee) September 10, 2022
Iowa State wins the 69th edition of ¡EL ASSICO!
— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) September 10, 2022
Congrats to Iowa state on winning against an offense that could kneel every down and basically be just as productive
— Black Heart Gold Pain (@BHGP) September 10, 2022
that's the el assico promise https://t.co/gsWeWknJPF
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) September 10, 2022
El Assico was disgusting. I loved every second of it.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) September 10, 2022
Long live El Assico!
