By ANDREW POTTER – Staff Writer , Times-Republican
The game that captures the attention of the whole state is finally here. The game ball for the Cy-Hawk game was in trusted hands Friday – it was with the military.
Cadets with the University of Iowa and Iowa State University Army ROTC took part in their annual game ball run Friday. Cadets would drive to towns between Iowa City and Ames and run through the towns with the ball. The Iowa cadets did the honors from Iowa City to Tama, then the Iowa State cadets took over.
Cadet Fletcher Hopkins, of Muscatine, had the honor of running with the ball through Marshalltown and didn’t take the distinction lightly.
“It feels fantastic,” Hopkins said. “I’m very honored to be a part of this.”
Fans were responsive throughout the route with many wearing the colors of their rooting interest in the game.
“We’ve had a lot of clapping and a lot of waving,” Hopkins said.
The group ran on Main Street east to west. Eventually, the cadets made their way to 13th Street and the Iowa Veterans Home to meet with residents and Commandant David Worley.
Hopkins predicted an Iowa State victory, so did his fellow ISU cadet Kyle Schmidt, of Waukee.
“Iowa State, 30 to nothing,” Schmidt said.
Leading the way on the route through Marshalltown was Officer Brad Mauseth in the Marshalltown Police Department Hummer.
“They kept up a good pace,” Mauseth said. “They almost ran into the back of the truck.”
Kickoff for the big game is at 5:05 p.m. today from Ames.