3 takeaways as Nebraska football ‘found a way to lose’ against Iowa

Looking over the box score from Friday night’s game between Nebraska football and Iowa it’s hard to figure out how the Huskers lost the game.

They had 334 yards of total offense to 164. Nebraska outrushed Iowa 144-49 and the Huskers picked up 20 first downs compared to five for the Hawkeyes.

Yet, in the most important category in a game like this, Iowa won 2-0. That was the turnover battle and for the second straight year, Nebraska football gave the ball away to the Hawkeyes in the final minute leading to a field goal and a three-point loss.

This time it was 13-10.

The bad snap in the third quarter that led to a missed field goal will linger in the minds of Husker fans for a while. So will the dropped pass by Isaiah Neyor with a few minutes left, the fumble on the punt, and of course, the fumble in the final 20 seconds that put Iowa in range for a 53-yard dagger to the heart of Husker nation.

After the game, Matt Rhule said he was “angry” and that Nebraska “found a way to lose” which it did, again. The Huskers have a bowl game at least. That’s a positive but here are three takeaways from a result that feels all too familiar.

Special teams dropped the ball

Nebraska fans got a bad feeling when a bad snap led to a missed field goal in the third quarter. It was 10-0 at that point. Iowa had zero offense and the Huskers were in total control.

It’s funny how one mistake can change everything. Iowa scored two possessions after the missed field goal, after recovering a fumble (on a punt return) at the Nebraska three. Iowa settled for a field goal but those six points given away by special teams mistakes were costly.

They were enough to cost Nebraska the game.

The Blackshirts were incredible except for one play

Nebraska gave Iowa six points with two fumbles. Iowa didn’t get a first down after either turnover. The one time the Iowa offense did generate something — it was all Kaleb Johnson.

The star running back who had just 45 yards on 15 carries took a simple pass and turned it into a 72-yard touchdown after breaking three tackles. It tied the game and Nebraska never led again.

Outside of that, Iowa had 91 yards. It’s a damn shame that the Husker lost because the Blackshirts really deserved to win. They absolutely played their hearts out.

A sour taste heading into the bowl game

Nebraska has to focus on signing day and the transfer portal more than its bowl game, but does anyone want the Huskers to finish 6-7? I don’t have the stomach for that and I hope those within the program are stressing the importance of a winning season, which would be the first since 2016.

That would be progress and Nebraska needs all the progress it can get. I also want to see Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Bryce Benhart and all those seniors go out on a high note.

They have battled for so long and given everything to Nebraska football. It hasn’t always gone their way and for once, it would be nice to end the season with a good taste in our mouths.

We’ll have to wait a month or so, but at least we know that opportunity is coming.

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