Instant Takes: Iowa 13, Nebraska 10

Nebraska (6-6, 3-6) added to its long list of one-score losses as they fell to Iowa 13-10 in Iowa City on Black Friday. The Hawkeyes knocked through a 53-yard field goal to win as the clock expired.

The Blackshirts were brilliant against a struggling Iowa offense but the Husker offense did not score in the second half. A muffed punt at the end of the fourth quarter ignited Iowa’s offense as they scored 13 points in the last 20 minutes of the game.

Nebraska will have a long time to think about the loss before their bowl game in late December or early January.

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Dylan Raiola needs more weapons

Nebraska needs more playmakers all over the field. Quarterback Dylan Raiola, a reliable QB, has been a game-changer for the Huskers this season. He still has room to grow but has given the Huskers a shot to win in many games. They need him and the offense to make big plays in big moments.

Raiola needs more playmakers around him especially at wide receiver. The Huskers’ top receivers have missed many big plays all season long.

Against Iowa, Isaiah Neyor had a perfectly thrown ball go right through his hands toward the end of the fourth quarter. Nebraska went from a massive gain to punting. Luckily, their defense gave them the ball right back.

New Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen has gotten Tight End Nate Boerkircher more involved in the last two games. The senior had a season-high two catches and two targets for 39 yards.

The running backs have started to break more tackles over the last few games. They’re earning more explosive plays. All three backs had a play of eight or more yards which was rare earlier this season.

Wide Receivers Jacory Barney Jr. and Carter Nelson are young ballers but need more opportunities.

But, Raiola isn’t perfect. He has missed, overthrown and underthrown receivers all season long. The freshman also fumbled at the worst possible time. Both parties need to be better. But, Nebraska needs guys to go out and make winning plays.

Blackshirts dominate Hawkeyes

Nebraska’s defense played one of its best games of the season against the Hawkeyes. The Blackshirts outplayed Iowa who is known for its very tough defense and special teams.

The Huskers held Iowa to 20 yards in the first half. They averaged 0.9 yards per pay with only one first down and finished averaging 1.9 yards per rush.

Iowa finished with 164 total yards and rushing yards. They had five first downs and went 0-for-10 on third down.

After a bad luck special teams play which put Iowa on Nebraska’s four-yard line, the defense held strong. Iowa was forced to kick a 20-yard field goal after three great defensive plays.

Nebraska forced Iowa to punt with 1:42 left in a game tied 10-10. They gave their offense a shot to go out and win it in the fourth quarter. But Raiola fumbled at the 35-yard line, and the Hawkeyes made the 53-yarder.

Huskers’ Front Seven add lots of pressure

Nebraska’s front seven put a ton of pressure on Iowa Quarterback Jackson Stratton and did a great job limiting the rush.

Stratton was sacked once by James Williams. But NU had eight total tackles for loss. Nine different Huskers recorded a TFL. Malcolm Hartzog Jr. led Nebraska with two tackles for a loss of four. Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson, Elijah Jeudy, James Williams, Riley Van Poppel and MJ Sherman all contributed a TFL.

Running back Kaleb Johnson averaged 135.6 rushing yards per game before facing Nebraska. The Blackshirts shut him down. The junior recorded 45 rushing yards on 17 carries. Stopping Johnson was at the top of Nebraska’s defense’s to-do list. They took that very seriously.

They had one really, really bad play when Kaleb Johnson broke four tackles for a 72-yard touchdown. But, they should be proud of holding the Hawkeyes to 13 points. Nebraska needs to be able to win games where their defense holds its opponents to 13 points and 164 yards.

This one is on the Huskers’ offense and special teams.

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