Luke Lachey knows the sting of taking a loss in a rivalry game. Last season, Iowa took a disappointing defeat — at home — to Iowa State, giving up the Cy-Hawk Trophy in the process.

During Tuesday’s press conference, Lachey admitted the hole in Iowa’s trophy case is always there “just kind of reminding us” that the Cy-Hawk Trophy is not there. He also said the Hawkeyes “pay the rent all throughout the year” in order to try and reclaim the trophy and all the rivalry trophies.

Last season, the Hawkeyes surrendered the Cy-Hawk trophy and also lost the Heroes Game to Nebraska. However, the program did capture the Heartland Trophy and Floyd of Rosedale with wins over Wisconsin and Minnesota.

As for Lachey, he’s coming off a 7-catch, 73-yard performance in the opening win over Utah State. That tied his career high for catches set in last year’s Nebraska game.

In last year’s loss to Iowa State, Lachey was limited to 2 catches for 14 yards with the offense held to 92 yards passing against the Cyclones.