With an electric crowd of 69,250 cheering them on, the Hawkeyes asserted their dominance from the outset. Iowa’s relentless defense limited Iowa State to just 220 yards of offense and forced four turnovers, including two interceptions by senior cornerback Riley Moss.

Offensively, Iowa relied heavily on the running game, with junior running back Kaleb Johnson leading the charge with 159 yards on 24 carries. Quarterback Spencer Petras completed 10 of 17 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown.

“Our defense played lights out today,” said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. “We knew Iowa State had a great offense, but our guys stepped up and made some big plays at critical moments.”

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell acknowledged the challenges his team faced. “Iowa’s defense is one of the best in the country,” he said. “They disrupted our rhythm and forced us into mistakes.”

The victory extends Iowa’s all-time record over Iowa State to 47-23 and marks the Hawkeyes’ ninth straight win in the rivalry series. It is also Iowa’s first victory over a top-10 team since defeating Ohio State in 2017.

“It’s a huge win for our program,” said Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell. “It shows that we’re capable of competing with anyone in the country.”

The victory solidifies Iowa’s position as one of the top teams in the Big Ten and potentially in the national title race. Iowa State, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to bounce back from their first loss of the season.

Both teams will return to action next Saturday. Iowa will host Purdue, while Iowa State will travel to Kansas.