Ad Disclosure
Iowa RB Mekhi Sargent calls matchup with Iowa State ‘in-state Super Bowl’
By Dave Holcomb
Published:
The Iowa-Iowa State football rivalry matchup doesn’t have a nickname like some of the other rivalries in college football, but Hawkeyes running back Mekhi Sargent seemed to give it one, calling it an “in-state Super Bowl” on Tuesday.
“It means everything. This is like an in-state Super Bowl. It’s not going to be an easy environment, but we just have to play smart and compete. There is a lot at stake.”
🗣 Mekhi Sargent on upcoming game:
“It means everything. This is like an in-state Super Bowl. It’s not going to be an easy environment, but we just have to play smart and compete. There is a lot at stake.” #Hawkeyes
— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) September 10, 2019
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz will be coaching in his 30th “Iowa Super Bowl” on Saturday. He called the game a challenge and exciting.
🗣 KF: "It's my 30th year in this rivalry. It's always a challenge. It's always in an excellent environment, whether it's here or there." #Hawkeyes
— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) September 10, 2019
🗣 KF: "We have to be focused and concentrated on the task at hand. We have a big challenge ahead of us." #Hawkeyes
— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) September 10, 2019
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley echoed his coach with slightly different words, saying he needs to stay “calm” and “poised” in their tough environment.
🗣 Stanley on playing in big-game environments:
“(I have to) continue to be calm and poise. You know it’s going to be loud and you know what to expect. I’ve learned how to control those environments and how to perform better.” #Hawkeyes
— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) September 10, 2019
The Hawkeyes have won four straight in their rivalry matchup, and interestingly, the last two Cyclones victories in the series came in Iowa City. The last time Iowa State knocked off its in-state rival at home was 2011.
Despite playing in different conferences, these two programs have faced each other every year since 1977. Iowa holds a 44-22-0 edge in the all-time series.