The rivalry game between Iowa and Iowa State always ratchets up the intensity of both fan bases every year, even if the two programs are unranked as they are this season.
This year’s game for the CyHawk Trophy on Saturday in Ames will be a bit different and not just because former President Donald Trump is expected to attend. Both schools are the subject of an investigation into illegal sports wagering that resulted in criminal charges and suspensions involving athletes.
Five Iowa State players who were projected to be starters before the season are suspended. Three face an aggravated misdemeanor charge in connection to alleged gambling, and two agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Iowa is missing at least one projected starter, who was suspended but not charged. Other football players are suspended as the two schools head into their 70th overall meeting in a series that began in 1894.
“We’d be a better team with our guys out there,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “I’m sure they feel the same way. The reality is they aren’t, so we’ve all had ample time to get ready. It’s not the same, but for a coach or for the team, it’s the same as if somebody is injured. Somebody else is going to step in there and play.”
A combined 15 athletes across multiple sports at both schools were charged with tampering with records, and more than a dozen others are facing NCAA penalties for wagering on sports.
Tom Stawniak, a starting tight end and defensive lineman at Iowa State in the mid-1980s, said it was unfortunate both programs have had their images tarnished to start the season. He said the investigation brought to light something that has been going on for decades on college campuses.
Stawniak said he knew of five or six of his teammates who regularly placed illegal bets on college football and basketball games with local bookmakers even though the athletic director at the time, Max Urick, required athletes to sign a contract promising not to gamble.
Iowa…
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