Iowa football will spend quite a bit of time on prime-time television during the upcoming season.

Iowa announced its prime-time slots for next season, and the annual Cy-Hawk Series game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 10. The game will be broadcast on BTN and will be a “Black and Gold Spirit Game.”

It will be just the second time for Iowa and Iowa State to play each other in the evening in Kinnick. In the previous game, 2002, the Cyclones completed a late comeback and won, 38-31.

“Competing for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Trophy under the lights in Kinnick Stadium will provide a great atmosphere for our fans and will serve as a showcase for our historic venue to a national audience,” Hawkeye Athletics Director Gary Barta said in a release.

Iowa and Penn State will also play a prime-time game on Nov. 5. With a long history of exciting night games between the two schools, the selection does not come as much of a surprise.

The Hawkeyes’ last prime-time game — a coveted 7 p.m. start against Michigan — will be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC.

Coming off a 12-0 regular season and a Rose Bowl appearance, Iowa football has suddenly been thrust back into the national spotlight. It’s a major boon for recruiting, and another successful season would be massive for the Hawkeye’s long-term goals as a program.

“We are excited to host two night games for the second-straight season,” Barta said. “Being selected for three prime-time games overall is a reflection of our past success and respect for our product.”

— by Jordan Hansen