Hawkeyes to Debut All-Black Alternate Uniforms for Prime-Time Cy-Hawk Showdown

The Iowa Hawkeyes are leaning into their “Black Out” theme for Saturday’s in-state rivalry game against Iowa State, unveiling new all-black alternate uniforms via a short teaser video posted to the program’s social channels this week. The 21st-ranked Hawkeyes (1-0) will host the Cyclones (1-0) at a sold-out Kinnick Stadium with a 6:36 p.m. CT kickoff, broadcast nationally on NBC.

The teaser leaves plenty unrevealed, but a few details are apparent: the black pants will drop the traditional vertical gold striping along the outer leg, and gray could appear in elements such as numbers, lettering, or helmet decals. The promo’s tagline — “Kinnick after dark” — underscored the night-game atmosphere the program is cultivating.

History favors the look. Iowa has compiled a 9-1 record in games wearing all-black alternates, the signature win being a 55-24 upset of then-No. 3 Ohio State in 2017.

Iowa State, meanwhile, will counter with all-white uniforms for the first time in the Cy-Hawk series since 2012, paired with its Cardinal helmet bearing “Cyclones” in gold script.

The broadcast adds a market angle for sports-media watchers. The game will air on NBC, part of the Comcast portfolio. Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) traded at $25.20 in recent action, up 0.6% from a previous close of $25.05, with a market capitalization of roughly $92.5 billion. The Philadelphia-based media and technology company operates through Residential Connectivity & Platforms, Business Services Connectivity, Media, Studios, and Theme Parks segments, and college football rights remain a key content pillar for its Media division as networks compete for live sports audiences.

Beyond the uniforms, Saturday’s matchup carries stakes in the 2026 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, the annual head-to-head competition between the two programs. Both teams enter at 1-0, giving the rivalry clash added early-season weight.

What to watch

• Full reveal of the uniform details, including any gray accents on numerals, lettering, or helmet decals, when Iowa takes the field Saturday.
• Nielsen viewership figures for the NBC prime-time broadcast, a data point for how college football performs on the network.
• The result in the Cy-Hawk Series standings following the game.
• Comcast’s next quarterly earnings report for updates on its Media segment and sports-rights strategy.

Source: original release