Nebraska had a strong showing on both offense and defense but ultimately succumbed to Iowa, losing 13-10 in a nail-biting finish during the game held on Friday night at Kinnick Stadium. Despite outgaining Iowa, accumulating 334 total yards to Iowa’s 164, and dominating possession time—nearly doubling it with 39:01 to 20:59—Nebraska fell short due to critical mistakes.
The Huskers built a commanding 10-0 lead by halftime, showcasing a powerful offensive performance with 182 yards and controlling the game. The turning point came late in the second quarter when Nebraska capped off a long 12-play, 74-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Dante Dowdell. However, the game took an unexpected turn in the second half.
Nebraska, despite starting strong in the third quarter, missed a field goal attempt after a disrupted snap, which proved crucial. Iowa capitalized on a controversial turnover in the third quarter, leading to a field goal that narrowed Nebraska’s lead to 10-3.
Both teams exchanged blows in the fourth quarter, with Iowa tying the game 10-10 on a strong 72-yard pass from Jackson Stratton to Kaleb Johnson. The game came down to the wire when Iowa’s Max Llewellyn forced a fumble from Nebraska’s quarterback, Heinrich Raiola, with just 16 seconds left. Iowa quickly moved into field goal range, and Drew Stevens delivered a 53-yard kick to win the game as time expired.
Despite the disappointing loss for Nebraska, which finished the season at 6-6 overall, the performance highlighted the team’s strengths on both sides of the ball and demonstrated their resilience, especially in the first half. The match serves as a learning experience for Nebraska as they look to build on their performance going forward.
This game reminded fans of the thrilling excitement that college football can bring, showcasing the unpredictable nature of sports where every possession matters. Looking ahead, Nebraska can take pride in their overall effort and focus on correcting mistakes as they prepare for future challenges.