A Rivalry that will Last a Lifetime

By Alexa Vlahakis on September 21, 2014

Being a college student is not always easy. Between school, work, clubs and extracurricular activities, some would say that college is the most stressful time in a young adult’s life. Now set aside the stress and busyness that each day brings and think of the one thing that will always unite a college or university: sports. Being a Hawkeye not only unties the students on campus, but unites our community as a whole for our entire lives through the passion and love for sports.

There is something more powerful than just being a University of Iowa Hawkeye. It is not simply a word but an indescribable feeling that forms a bond that could never be broken even if we, as a pure bred Hawkeye state, tried. Yet, some still try to bring down the rein of the Hawkeye spirit. Every sports team has its opponents and usual rivalries, but none of which compare to the unyielding rivalry that exists between the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State University Cyclones.

Over the years, the anger and disgust between these teams has only grown stronger. Each team is poised to be the best they can be and there is one football game every year that each team single handedly cares about most. The game where these two teams come face to face in the ultimate battle of stamina and strength to determine which university is the best in the state of Iowa. The excitement and adrenaline at the start of fall semester leading up to the kick-off of the season is something that people living outside of Iowa would never understand. We are not only a homegrown tight-knit community,  but that of which true hearts are born into. Whether it be claiming your rightful place in Kinnick Stadium to catch a glimpse of game action or walking through the tailgates down Melrose Avenue, one thing is clear, Hawkeyes do it best.

Being a part of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes is a feeling one would never forget. Even if just visiting campus for the weekend, it seems this university always leaves its mark on every passer buyer that decides to waltz on through; even those for which the flame of our hatred burns strongest for (Iowa State). There comes a time in every Iowans life where they must make the ultimate decision to be a Hawkeye or Cyclone fan. But let’s not get to hasty, the facts show that Iowa leads Iowa State in football games won by 40-21 according to collegefootball.bz with total meetings on the field at 61. Since the dawn of this rivalry almost 70 years ago, the strength and willpower of each team has sprung up into an uncontrollable weave of tailgaters and opponents so intertwined there seems to be no hope of a co-existence between foes. To make matters worse, there has never been a single tied game between both teams meaning only one thing, there must always be a winner and a loser. It is as though neither team can be associated at the same playing level as the other, as is projected on the field every year.

This is a rivalry unlike any other. To watch the players from both teams run out onto that turf and know the moment the state of Iowa has been waiting for all year has finally arrived, echoes in a deafening cry down the streets for miles. This year the Iowa Hawkeyes hosted the game of the season in Iowa City, Iowa where the Hawkeye spirit has been stronger than ever. It is true the Iowa Hawkeyes have a heart of gold and a soul produced for the sole purpose and drive to win. Even though the outcome this year was not in the favor of the Hawkeyes, losing to Iowa State 20-17, everyone and their brother should attend at least one Iowa vs. Iowa State game in their life just to be able to experience one of the greatest sports ever played by some of the best college football teams to ever take the field.

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