Governor Chet Culver today tried to get himself out of the middle of the Cyclone-Hawkeye rivalry. Culver said he did not intend to slight Cyclone fans after releasing a statement congratulating the Iowa Hawkeyes on their win over Michigan State, while not issuing a statement on the Cyclones big win at Nebraska.

“Well you know, I’m a huge Clone fan, I’ve put out a lot of statements when they won earlier in the year and no one picked those up,” Culver says. Culver says it was a “huge win for Iowa State’ and he complimented coach Paul Rhoads and the staff. Culver says what Iowa did was “historic” as for the first in 120 years of football they have started 8-0 and that “is truly history in the making.” Culver also included U.N.I. in the discussion to cover all bases.

“I’ll go to both bowl games, when the ‘Clones go to a bowl and Iowa goes, maybe the national championship game, I will be there for both of them, rooting them on — and the same for U.N.I. who I expect will also be in the mix coming down the stretch,” Culver said. Culver says the state is lucky to have three outstanding coaches at the state schools. The governor says the football teams have given Iowans something to cheer about.

Culver says: “It’s really been a positive thing for our state, we’re going through some tough times, but it was great that Cyclone fans and Hawkeye fans could celebrate together on Saturday night, as they both did make history. Unfortunately U.N.I. lost a tough game to South Dakota State, but I know they’ll bounce back.”

Culver has talked in the past about how he was looked at by the University of Iowa to play football, but did not get an offer. Culver went on to play college football at Virginia Tech.

Here is the release from the Governor’s office on the Hawkeyes:

GOVERNOR CULVER CONGRATULATES #6 HAWKEYES ON HISTORIC 8-0 START TO SEASON
DES MOINES –Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement of congratulations to the University of Iowa football team on their best start to a season in 120 years, after defeating the Michigan State University Spartans 15-13 tonight in East Lansing, MI:
“I want to congratulate the Hawkeyes on not only a great win tonight, but by making history with their 8-0 record, the best start in 120 years of football at the University of Iowa. Tonight’s game was an exciting way to continue Iowa’s undefeated start. Coach Ferentz and his staff, Ricky Stanzi, Marvin McNutt and the entire team showed great leadership, and that success comes from never giving up. I wish the team the best of luck for the remainder of this exciting season.”