The Iowa-Iowa State series is getting more recognition, nationally. Fox Sports announced this morning that Saturday’s 51st meeting in Ames will be shown nationwide. Cyclone coach Dan McCarney says the recent success of both programs has elevated the status of the rivalry. It will be the first big game for freshman quarterback Austin Flynn. McCarney says Flynn has handled things with maturity and class considering what he’s been asked to do. The coach says he has faith that his quarterback will be ready for this game too. McCarney says Iowa’s secondary is more aggressive this season and is playing better than last year. In his fifth season at Iowa, Kirk Ferentz has been national coach of the year and led the Hawks to a share of the Big Ten title. He is still looking for his first win over the Cyclones. He says personally he’s more worried about the team playing well. Ferentz says he hasn’t beaten Ohio State or Illinois yet either, and says Iowa State has done what they needed to do to beat his team the last five years. Ferentz says this game is big in part because it matches two bowl teams from last season. He says with both teams in the state, that adds to the intensity, and he says it’s a great thing for the state.
