We are on the eve of the annual Cy-Hawky matchup, which carries major implications for both programs. Both Iowa and Iowa State started the season with a win and now face each other for the 73rd time in one of the most storied rivalries in college football.
Iowa dominated Northern Illinois 40-0 in week one and is looking to carry that momentum into a rivalry clash in week two. Not only are the Hawkeyes breaking out the all-black uniforms for the game under the Kinnick Stadium lights, but they are also led by an honorary captain who knows a few things about beating the Cyclones.
Former Iowa QB C.J. Beathard will serve as an honorary captain for the Cy-Hawk matchup
In one of the biggest games on both programs' schedules, Iowa will need to pull out all the stops against an unknown Iowa State squad, beginning with wearing all-black unis and welcoming back former star quarterback C.J. Beathard as an honorary captain.
Our honorary captain this Saturday is C.J. Beathard!#Hawkeyes x @LegacyHawks pic.twitter.com/h1fRea4mPg
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 10, 2026
Beathard was a member of the Iowa football program from 2013 through 2016, presiding over one of the most successful eras in program history. Beathard took over the full-time starting quarterback role in 2015 and led Iowa to a perfect 12-0 regular season before the Hawkeyes fell in a bizzare Big Ten title game to Michigan State and getting obliterated by Christian McCaffrey and Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Beathard finished his career with a 21-7 record as a starter, and is the only quarterback in program history to win each of his first 13 career starts.
Beathard also finished his Iowa career with 5,562 passing yards and 40 touchdown passes, as well as 10 rushing touchdowns. His 40 career passing touchdowns rank No. 7 all-time in Iowa program history. Perhaps the most significant of all of Beathard's stats is he beat Iowa State twice in dominating fashion. Beathard and Iowa beat Iowa State 31-17 and 42-3 in his two career starts against the Cyclones, and the Hawkeyes are hoping some of that good luck rubs off on them on Saturday.
The Hawkeyes could use a little Beathard magic in week two
Beathard was one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in Iowa history, able to sling the ball all over the field and use his legs when it mattered, and it wasn't a fluke that he guided the offense to some of the best years we have seen. The Iowa offense hasn't had anywhere near that amount of sustained offensive success since then, and they could definitely use some of his wisdom and magic on Saturday.
Iowa is still entrenched in a starting quarterback battle, with Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski still vying for the role. With the competition carrying into week two, it will be even more critical to get some words of wisdom from one of the best quarterbacks to ever do it in an Iowa uniform. While Brown slightly outplayed Hecklinski in week one, the competition remains undecided. What better way to cement yourself as the starting quarterback than to guide the Hawkeyes to victory over hated rival Iowa State?
Iowa biggest game to this point will be played in front of a sold-out Kinnick Stadium, and the offense could use a little of Beathard's luck to guide them to victory.
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