Drew Stevens ready to step up once again heading into Cy-Hawk game after Week 1 performance

IOWA CITY — Drew Stevens knows about college football rivalries.

The North Augusta, S.C.-native grew up around the Palmetto Bowl — watching South Carolina and Clemson face off in that bitter in-state battle. The back-and-forth, the genuine disdain for the opposing side — all of it.

He doesn’t remember seeing spray painted signs across campus houses or signs taped to windows like there are ahead of Cy-Hawk Week in Iowa. Doesn’t mean they didn’t exist, but he never saw it in North Augusta.

Seeing how Hawkeye fans get ready for Cy-Hawk was was how the veteran Iowa kicker learned about this in-state rivalry.

“I mean, even in my neighborhood, there's a sign. I won't say it, but it's ‘nasty stuff State,’” Stevens said. “ … so obviously it's a big game. The attention that gets brought around to it too, it's inadvertently saying how big of a game is.“

Eleven of the last 13 games have been decided by 10 points or less. Five of seven have been just a one-score affair. Last year, it came down to a kick by Iowa State’s Kyle Konrardy.

The Hawkeyes’ special teams unit went through some changes over the summer, including a long snapper battle and having a new holder. Stevens had two field goals against Albany in Week 1, and it all felt close to normal.

“I was a little nervous going into the season, just because we don't have Luke (Elkin) in the experience,” Stevens said. “But like, I'll say, they played pretty good. I mean, it felt like Luke was throwing there.”

The special teams showdown between Stevens and Konrardy seemed to amp before either football team even finished Week 1. One of those kicks included a career-long 55-yard boot made in the first quarter. It could’ve gone further maybe, but it was a helpful confidence boost to knock one major field goal down to start the season.

“I always get tested in practice, and to finally be able to do in the game is very fun, especially earlier in the year,” Stevens said. “I mean, it felt good.”

Stevens was swarmed by his teammates, cheering him on. He knew it was a career-long, and he knew it was important to made a long kick early in the season.

“It gives us a ton of confidence,” said Zach Lutmer, who watched the kick from the sideline. “We've seen him in practice drill kicks a lot further than that, so we have a ton of confidence in him to go out and perform at a high, high level.”

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Then he found out Konrardy kicked a 63-yarder earlier in the day. Former Iowa punter Tory Taylor was on the sideline during the Albany win, and was the one to break the news to Stevens.

“I remember I came off the field after hitting the 55-yarder,” Stevens said, laughing. “Everyone’s so happy and he’s like, ‘Iowa State’s kicker hit a 63.’”

The challenge of a kicker’s battle excites Stevens. He’s gone toe-to-toe with Konrardy multiple times, and most recently, Konrardy helped beat Iowa at Kinnick Stadium with a 54-yard walk-off field goal.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has praised the Cyclones’ team every season, knowing how close of a game Cy-Hawk has been. He isn’t afraid to sugarcoat how important special teams are — especially against Iowa State.

“They have really good specialists in this game, two good punters, obviously two good field goal kickers and good return guys on both sides,” Ferentz said. “Both teams I think work hard at that. A good match-up that way.”

The tension of a college football rivalry doesn’t phase Stevens. In fact, he wants that kicker battle. Stevens likes the pressure, saying he approaches every game expecting he’ll need to kick a game-winning field goal.

It could be a 30-yard field goal or a 60-yard field goal, but Stevens knows he can make the kick just like his opposing kicker can.

Sure, a big lead would be music to Stevens’ ears. But why not give him the chance to make a big impact?

“It's fun when you're battling when you're competing against somebody else who's, like, really good,” Stevens said. “Because I like highly competitive atmospheres.”

Comments: madison.hricik@thegazette.com

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