The 2001 Iowa State Cyclones football team represented Iowa State University as a member of the North Division in the Big 12 Conference during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by seventh-year head coach Dan McCarney, the Cyclones compiled an overall record of 7âÂÂ5 with a mark of 4âÂÂ4 in conference play, placing third in the Big 12's North Division. Iowa State was invited to the Independence Bowl, where the Cyclones lost to Alabama. The team played home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.
The annual battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy was scheduled originally for September 15, but due to the September 11 attacks, it was postponed or canceled like all sporting events planned for that weekend. The game was rescheduled for November 24, which turned out to be a natural fit since many other major rivalries were played that weekend.
Iowa State scored a touchdown in each of the first two quarters to head into halftime with a 14âÂÂ0 lead. Iowa finally responded in the third quarter with two touchdowns to tie the score.
The final scoring play of the game came early in the fourth quarter, with Tony Yelk kicking a 32-yard field goal to put the Cyclones up 17âÂÂ14. An interception by Adam Runk with 1:37 remaining sealed the game for the Cyclones.