IOWA CITY — As if the Iowa-Nebraska matchup wanted any extra drama, the Hawkeyes made positive Friday will go down as a traditional within the rivalry’s historical past.
Drew Stevens’ 53-yard discipline aim simply snuck inside the correct upright and despatched Kinnick Stadium right into a frenzy, because the Hawkeyes pulled out an inconceivable 13-10 win to shut out the common season. Iowa was misplaced on offense many of the night time except for one Kaleb Johnson spotlight, however protection and particular groups but once more saved the day.
Per typical, there have been noteworthy numbers everywhere in the closing field rating. Listed below are 5 figures that informed the story of Iowa’s slim victory.
4…as in Iowa has beat Nebraska 4 occasions on last-second discipline targets since 2018
Miguel Recinos in 2018. Keith Duncan in 2019. Marshall Meeder in 2023. And now, Drew Stevens joins the record. All 4 sailed via the uprights with both one or zero seconds on the clock.
Contemplating Stevens was benched for Meeder in final season’s Iowa-Nebraska thriller, Friday’s profitable boot provides Stevens a satisfying full-circle second. The Hawkeyes definitely know find out how to milk the drama when Nebraska sits on the opposite aspect of the sector.
0…as in Iowa’s solely lead of the night time got here with zeroes on the clock
Regardless of the reverse of offensive masterpiece is, that is what Iowa delivered Friday night time.
Jackson Stratton appeared just like the walk-on he’s and the dearth of a passing risk lastly caught as much as Kaleb Johnson (17 carries, 45 yards). Practically 44% of Iowa’s whole yards got here on one play.
But, there have been the Iowa protection and particular groups to avoid wasting the day. A fumble restoration off a muffed punt arrange the Hawkeyes’ first factors, after which a Max Llewellyn strip sack gave Stevens one final probability. The Hawkeyes by no means led till the profitable kick sailed via.
Earlier this season towards Iowa State, the Hawkeyes led for all however six seconds and misplaced. Friday, Iowa was glad to be on the opposite finish.
72…as in Kaleb Johnson’s 72-yard TD catch signaled Iowa’s longest cross play of the season
In the one sport this season that Johnson did not rating a dashing landing, he greater than made up for it with arguably his greatest spotlight of the yr.
A modest acquire at greatest appeared just like the conclusion when Johnson caught the fourth-quarter swing cross and had a number of Nebraska defenders in entrance of him. 4 damaged tackles and a nifty cutback later, and Johnson was rushing to the top zone for a momentum-snatching second.
What was doubtlessly Johnson’s closing landing in Kinnick Stadium will go down as an all-timer.
20…as in it was 20 levels at kickoff, the second coldest sport in Kinnick Stadium historical past
Ominous climate forecasts started popping up early within the week, and the Midwesterners within the stands Friday hardly cared. The identical may be mentioned for the gamers concerned.
The climate did nothing to alleviate the uneven motion all through, which continued up till the ultimate horn. For all of the bundling up wanted to outlive within the stands, the Hawkeyes will bear in mind this night time fondly.
21…as in Iowa is now 21-3 in November since 2019
The Hawkeyes have owned this month underneath Kirk Ferentz, it doesn’t matter what adversity comes beforehand. That deserves some credit score even when lofty targets disappear off the desk.
Apart from the dud at UCLA, Iowa’s November wins over Wisconsin, Maryland and Nebraska mirrored what the Hawkeyes often do within the season’s closing month. Even with Faculty Soccer Playoff and Massive Ten aspirations off the desk a number of weeks in the past, Iowa nonetheless discovered sufficient juice to finish this common season respectably.
Dargan Southard is a sports activities trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. E mail him at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
