Fans Get Into Team Spirit

KCCI.com, IA

09-14-06

Cy-Hawk Momentum Builds

DES MOINES, Iowa -- There's 52 weeks worth of bragging hinging on Saturday's Cy-Hawk match up.

Kick off for the Iowa State University and University of Iowa football game in Iowa City is just hours away, but students aren't waiting to get into the spirit.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out which team most Iowa students are backing. They have been planning for game day all week.

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"(We're) painting our bodies, spelling HAWKS. We're going to try to get up close so people can see us," said Iowa freshman Ryan Sage.

"For some reason, they think they're better than us and they're going to beat us this year, which I don't think is going to happen," said Iowa freshman Nick Howald.

Folks competing for black and gold gear are already predicting the final score.

"I think it's going to be a close game. I think Hawks by 7 or 10," said David Borger Germann, Iowa alum.

"We're definitely going to win. There's no question about it," said Iowa junior Jenny Bongartz.

Was there a Cyclone fan in Hawkeye country?

"I think Iowa's going to fall asleep in the third quarter like they always do and lose the game like they always do," said Cyclone fan Brett Sweeting.

Sweeting parked his Jeep in front of the Iowa Memorial Union, which has ISU license plates and stickers.

"I got family that went over there (to ISU), and to be honest with you, I think it's a lot better school," Sweeting said.

Even though the game is in Iowa City, Iowa State fans in Ames are getting ready for the rivalry, too.

"You can just tell that students are ready to go beat Iowa and go over there to Iowa City and show them how it's done," said ISU junior Dan Determan.

In the shadow of the campanile, ISU students are bragging. Their T-shirts say Beat Iowa Again. They have fence sitters, too.

"My family is actually pretty big Hawkeye fans and I came here, so I'm kind of like in between," said ISU senior Kati Hirschman.

On campus, it's almost game time.

"The excitement is definitely starting to build," said ISU student Beth Purdy. "It's just kind of the Iowa Super Bowl."

NewsChannel 8's live coverage begins Friday from Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff for the big game is at 11:05 a.m. Saturday.

Be sure to stick around for all the highlights and reaction in KCCI's post-game special. That airs at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.