A sculpture atop the new trophy depicted a farm family with small children huddled about a bushel basket of corn.

Governor Terry Branstad publicly provided negative feedback, as did retired Iowa head coach Hayden Fry, who said, "The farmer, family and corn is all wonderful, but I don't really get the relationship to a football game.

"[3] Days later on August 23, the association's CEO Craig Floss announced that the new Cy–Hawk Trophy would be changed as a result of the negative public reaction.

[5] With fan input, the newly redesigned trophy was unveiled at the end of the 2012 game won by Iowa State; it featured mascots of the two universities, a raised football, and corn in the background.

The 2019 game featured an appearance by ESPN College GameDay, the first time Iowa State had hosted the program.