Iowa State's Jackson new to the game but he’s been tuning in

The next chapter will be written today in the long-standing Iowa vs. Iowa State rivalry.

When the top-ranked Hawkeyes face the No. 2 Cyclones tonight at 6 in Hilton Coliseum, it will mark Kevin Jackson's return to college wrestling's top contest.

Jackson was a national runner-up for Iowa State's national title team in 1987. After a successful international career and a stint as a coach for USA Wrestling, Jackson was named the Cyclones' head coach in May after Cael Sanderson left to take the head coaching job at Penn State.

“Actually, I never left the rivalry at heart,” Jackson said. “I just cheered from a distance. I really believe that the Iowa-Iowa State rivalry is the best in the sport, so it's an honor and a privilege to play a role in that.”

Iowa Coach Tom Brands, who has already outlasted one Iowa State counterpart, has noticed Jackson's impact on the rivalry.

“He's already added to it,” Brands said. “He's excited and the team has responded well to him.”

Regular season dual meets don't get any bigger.

“It's going to have a lot of attention on it,” Brands said. “There would be anyway. It's important to a lot of people - fans, families, programs.”

The Hawkeyes are going for their fifth straight win over the Cyclones and own a 56-16-2 series advantage. A win would set a school record of 32 consecutive road dual victories. The Hawkeyes have won 45 straight dual meets overall.

But matchups and streaks don't factor in preparing for a tough battle.

“They're about finding the toughest challenge,” Brands said. “It's a great group of guys. It doesn't mean it's going to happen automatically. You have to go out and put people down hard.”

Half meet could be legitimate swing matches, including a possible eight matches between ranked wrestlers.

“It's about 10 weight classes that are being contested,” Brands said. “When our guys get ready to go we like our chances.”

“It's going to be a tough dual,” Iowa's Matt McDonough said. “There aren't any givens at any weight.”

Especially at 125 where McDonough faces fellow red-shirt freshman Andrew Long in a pivotal bout. “I know he's a tough competitor. I'm a tough competitor. I don't think he's going to give anything away to me,” McDonough said. “If I stick to what I've been doing in (practice) and using my offense to my advantage I think things will work out.”