Mickey Joseph reacts to Nebraska's strong first half vs Iowa in rivalry matchup

There was plenty of chatter about the Nebraska program entering Friday’s rivalry game against Iowa. But Mickey Joseph and the Cornhuskers looked unfazed as they took a 17-0 lead into halftime at Kinnick Stadium.

“Great effort,” Joseph told Big Ten Network’s Rick Pizzo. “Now, we’ve got to come back and play these 30 minutes with the same effort. We’ve got to increase the effort.”

The Nebraska offense got off to a strong start and never looked back, led by wide receiver Trey Palmer. He had six receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns to lead the attack.

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Part of the reason for that success is Palmer’s matchup with a young defender. Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean left the game in the first half with an injury, meaning freshman T.J. Hall had to come into the game. Joseph said that matchup has been huge, and that’s a key against a strong Hawkeyes defense.

“This is about matchups in the passing game,” Joseph said. “I think it’s a good matchup for Trey right now.”

Nebraska is in a unique position for Friday’s game. With a win, the Cornhuskers can keep Iowa out of the Big Ten Championship game. The Hawkeyes can lock up the Big Ten West title with a win, but considering they’re also without quarterback Spencer Petras due to an apparent injury, Nebraska has a strong chance to play spoiler.

But Joseph’s message is staying simple.

“To come back out here and play a strong 30 minutes and try to win this game,” he said.

Spencer Petras leaves Iowa vs Nebraska with apparent injury, Alex Padilla takes over at quarterback

Iowa has made a change at quarterback. Spencer Petras is out and Alex Padilla is in — and it appears that could be the case the rest of the way for Friday’s game against Nebraska.

Petras left the field in the first quarter favoring his right shoulder and headed to the medical tent. Padilla then came onto the field for Iowa’s next drive as Petras stood on the sideline in a red hat with a headset on and a sling on his arm.

As the second quarter got started, Big Ten Network reporter Rick Pizzo reported Petras is likely out for the game, based on what he appeared to tell his teammates. However, Iowa has not provided an official update.

“No official word form Iowa as of yet, but this appears to be Alex Padilla’s game,” Pizzo said. “Spencer Petras shook his head, ‘No,’ as if telling Kirk Ferentz he was not good to go back in. I then read some lips as he told several of his teammates, ‘I’m done.’”