Iowa wins Cy-Hawk thriller on last-second field goal
No. 21 Iowa rallied from a 10-0 deficit to beat Iowa State 16-13 on Saturday, with kicker Caden Buhr converting a 42-yard field goal with 15 seconds left. The Hawkeyes had lost the previous two meetings on late field goals by Iowa State. Buhr, a walk-on, made three field goals in the win.
Iowa’s comeback erased an early 10-0 deficit, with the Hawkeyes tying the game before halftime and again in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Hank Brown, who started after a preseason competition, threw for 191 yards and scored Iowa’s lone touchdown on the ground. The Cyclones actually outgained Iowa on the ground, 138-93, but three Buhr field goals proved decisive.
Buhr, a walk-on from Bettendorf, Iowa, delivered from 42 yards with 15 seconds left. The win also gave Iowa possession of all four traveling trophies in its rivalry series. Iowa State’s last-gasp attempt ended without a timeout, as officials let the clock run after the ball was spotted, avoiding a replay of last week’s controversial Michigan-Western Michigan finish.
This result could shift momentum in a fiercely competitive in-state rivalry, potentially boosting Iowa’s confidence and recruiting appeal while adding pressure on Iowa State to respond. For fans and players, the emotional swing from two straight last-second losses to a last-second win may reinforce the importance of special teams and game management. The outcome could also influence early playoff and conference positioning, though both teams still face tougher schedules ahead.