Husker Football Falls On Last Second FG Vs Iowa
Photo Credit: Nebraska Athletics
Lincoln - Iowa kicked a 38-yard field goal as the final seconds ticked off the clock to defeat Nebraska in a Black Friday matchup, 13-10, in front of 86,183 fans at Memorial Stadium.
Iowa improved to 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten) on the year while Nebraska fell to 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten). The Huskers produced more yards than the Hawkeyes and blocked two field goals, but NU was unable to overcome three turnovers, including a turnover in the final minute that set up Iowa's walk-off field goal.
Iowa threatened first in the opening quarter, taking over at the Nebraska 17-yard line after a fumble by Ethan Nation on a punt return. The Blackshirts forced Iowa into a 30-yard field goal attempt, which resulted in Ty Robinson blocking Drew Stevens’ attempt to keep the game scoreless.
A seven-play, 51-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Deacon Hill gave the Hawkeyes a 7-0 lead with 13:22 left in the second quarter.
A 28-yard field goal by Stevens stretched the lead to 10-0 with 5:12 remaining in the first half after NU’s second fumble of the day had the Hawkeyes starting their drive on the Nebraska 44-yard line.
A quick three-play, 65-yard drive highlighted by a 66-yard strike from Chubby Purdy to Jaylen Lloyd brought the Big Red within 10-7 with 3:43 left in the second quarter. The 66-yard scoring play marked Lloyd’s third touchdown reception of at least 58 yards this season and marked the longest play allowed by Iowa this season.
The Hawkeyes looked to extend their lead heading into the half with a 24-yard field goal attempt by Stevens, but Nash Hutmacher blocked the kick to pick up the second blocked field goal for the NU, a first for the program since 2005.
Nebraska put together its best-sustained drive to date midway through the third quarter, going 43 yards in 10 plays before Tristan Alvano’s 44-yard field goal tied the game at 10 with 6:18 left in the period. Purdy kept the drive alive with third-down passes to Emmett Johnson and Joshua Fleeks, the latter being a 25-yard pass on third and 11 to get the ball to the Iowa 30-yard line.
Alvano’s field goal would be the only score of the period as the game was tied at 10-all entering the fourth quarter.
Nebraska pinned Iowa deep in its own territory after a 41-yard punt by Brian Buschini put the ball at the Iowa 1-yard line. NU forced a three-and-out before Billy Kemp’s return to midfield gave NU its best field position of the day with 11:09 remaining in the fourth quarter.
A 13-yard pass to Alex Bullock on third and 10 highlighted Nebraska’s nine-play drive that set up a 44-yard field goal attempt from Alvano, who missed wide left. Iowa got the ball back and went three and out, giving Nebraska the ball with 2:18 left in the game. Purdy hit Malachi Coleman for a 15-yard pass, but NU couldn’t convert again and sent the special teams unit out to punt it away.
Nebraska got the ball back on a Tommi Hill interception with with 31 seconds remaining. But two plays later, Iowa picked off Purdy and used a 22-yard run on first down to set up the game-winning field goal.
The teams traded interceptions in the final minute of the game and Marshall Meeder kicked a 38-yarder in his first attempt of the season to seal the game.
