We simulated the 2025 Cy-Hawk sport in EA Sports activities Faculty Soccer 26: Who received? See right here – The Des Moines Register

Is the Cy-Hawk Trophy staying in Ames this yr following the Iowa State vs. Iowa football rivalry sport? Nicely, in line with EA Sports activities, the Cyclones are the favourite.
EA Sports activities Faculty Soccer 26 opened its early-access window on July 7 for many who pre-ordered. The usual version of the favored faculty soccer video video games releases on July 10 for $69.99.
Upon the sport’s launch, we simulated the Cy-Hawk rivalry matchup seven occasions to find out which workforce persistently got here out on prime. Every simulation was carried out with five-minute quarters and performed in exhibition mode on varsity issue (issue ranges embrace freshman, varsity, All-American and Heisman). All video games happened at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, the positioning of the 2025 Cy-Hawk sport.
The sport opens with a shot of Iowa State‘s mascot, Cy, pumping up the group earlier than reducing to followers within the stadium and gamers from each groups working out of their respective tunnels.
Iowa State kicks off to Iowa first, with the Hawkeyes beginning their drive at their 18-yard line. Jesse Palmer, David Pollack and Rece Davis are on the decision for at present’s sport. As Iowa’s offense takes the sector, the person can hear Davis discussing Iowa State’s comeback in the course of the 2024 Cy-Hawk matchup and the late-game heroics of Cyclone quarterback Rocco Becht and the game-winning area aim by Iowa State’s Kyle Konrardy.
On Third-and-11, Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski finds receiver Jacob Gill on a 23-yard acquire. Gill, a senior from Raleigh, North Carolina, picked up the primary down after lining up as a working again within the backfield.
A couple of performs later, it is Third-and-9 and Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester elects to run a trick play. Gronowski catches the snap and tosses it to receiver Kaden Wetjen, who goes to move the ball himself however as a substitute will get tackled within the backfield by ISU’s Myles Mendeszoon. A punt from Rhys Dakin units up the Cyclones offense at their 15-yard line.
Iowa State’s first drive ends in a three-and-out after two straight run stops by Iowa’s protection and a deflection on third down after Brecht tried to go deep to Xavier Townsend. Iowa’s offense will get the ball again, and after two unsuccessful performs garnered zero yards, it is Third-and-10. Gronowski readies to move, and after having all day within the pocket because of Iowa’s offensive line, tosses a deep ball to Gill that will get intercepted by Jamison Patton simply as the primary quarter involves an finish.
Iowa State’s offense opens the second quarter with a 15-yard pickup from Becht to tight finish Benjamin Brahmer on a slant throughout the center. Later, a display screen move to working again Abu Sama on 2nd-and-4 picks up 13 yards and places the Cyclones within the purple zone.
As Iowa State makes an attempt to attain the primary factors of the sport, commentator Davis discusses the historical past of the Cy-Hawk rivalry. The dialog then switches to Iowa State’s historic 2024 season and its fruits in a Pop-Tarts Bowl win over Miami (Davis and Pollack debate which Pop-Tart flavors are the very best. Significantly.)
Working again Carson Hansen scores the primary factors for Iowa State on a 1-yard dive into the tip zone. Konrardy’s additional level makes it 7-0 with 1:40 left within the second quarter. Iowa’s offense then manages to get it all the way down to the Iowa State 40-yard line.
With 40 seconds left, Iowa elects to go for a similar trick play to Wetjen once more, however he will get tackled by ISU’s Kooper Ebel. On 2nd-and-15, Gronowski snaps it as time expires and tries to make some heroics working up the center for a 20-yard pickup however will get stopped effectively earlier than the tip zone.
Heading into halftime, Iowa State leads Iowa, 7-0.
Iowa State opens the second half with a brief 3-yard hitch to one in every of its tight ends. Subsequent, ISU declined an offside penalty on Iowa defensive again TJ Corridor after selecting up 13 yards on an in-route move to Xavier Townsend. Iowa State then punted after three straight runs fell in need of the primary down marker.
Iowa will get the ball on its 19-yard line. The Hawkeyes’ first drive of the second half begins poorly — Gronowski is sacked for a 9-yard loss by ISU edge rusher Ikenna Ezeogu, and on 2nd-and-19, a giant move play is worn out by an unlawful man downfield penalty on lineman Kade Piper. Two performs later, it is Third-and-24 and ISU’s Zamir Hawk sacks Gronowski within the Hawkeyes’ finish zone for a security.
The Cyclones lead 9-0 with 1:35 left within the Third quarter.
Iowa and Iowa State each commerce possessions, going 3-and-out earlier than Iowa will get the ball again to start out the fourth quarter. On Third-and-6, Iowa will get the primary down with a curl move to Wetjen, 1st-and-10 with 4:40 remaining. Quick ahead just a few performs, and it is 4th-and-inches in Iowa State territory.
Iowa surprises the Cyclones with a move play. Gronowski scrambles, escapes stress and runs it 10-15 yards all the way down to the aim line. On 1st-and-goal from the 1, Kamari Moulton dives in for the landing. The PAT from Iowa’s Drew Stevens cuts the Hawkeyes’ deficit to 9-7 with 1:56 remaining within the fourth quarter.
After a return to their very own 16-yard line, ISU loses two yards on first down. On 2nd-and-12, Becht scrambles left however is sacked by Iowa’s Ethan Hurkett. Iowa calls a timeout with 1:48 left. Dealing with Third-and-20 deep in ISU’s personal territory, Becht narrowly avoids a game-tying security of their finish zone and completes a clutch 28-yard move to tight finish Benjamin Brahmer for a primary down.
The Hawkeyes ran out of timeouts and Becht kneeled out for the rest of the competition. Iowa State wins it 9-7.
That was the primary simulation, however what was the end result of the six different Cy-Hawk video games the Des Moines Register ran on EA SPORTS Faculty Soccer 26?
Out of the seven EA Sports activities Faculty Soccer 26 simulations, Iowa State received six occasions. Come again to this text following the precise 2025 Cy-Hawk sport to see if the simulation was capable of efficiently predict the end result of the sport.
Cooper Value is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Attain him at cworth@gannett.com or comply with him on X @CooperAWorth.

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