Nebraska delivers impressive goal-line stand after muffed punt vs. Iowa
Nebraska will be back in the postseason after securing its 6th win of the season last week against Wisconsin. Now, the Huskers have a shot to get to 7 wins in the finale against Iowa.
The Black Friday Heroes Game has been a defensive struggle as expected through the majority of the first 3 quarters of the game. Nebraska’s defense has been especially strong and has stifled the Hawkeye offense thus far in the game, including on a brilliant goal-line stand.
The sequence was set up on special teams with the Huskers producing a miscue on a punt deep in their own territory. While Iowa’s punt did not hit Nebraska’s return man, one of the blockers thought it was a live muff and tried to dive on the ball.
It ultimately led to a fumble recovery by Iowa inside the 5-yard line:
HAWKEYES RECOVER 🚨 @HawkeyeFootball #B1GFootball on NBC 📺 pic.twitter.com/Rgvvr8EQaG
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 30, 2024
However, Nebraska’s defense did not wilt. Instead, the Huskers stuffed Kaleb Johnson on a couple of runs and limited Jackson Stratton to a short completion in the goal-to-go situation. Instead of a crucial touchdown, Nebraska limited Iowa to a field goal to make it 10-3.
The Hawkeyes are on the board 🙌 @HawkeyeFootball #B1GFootball on NBC 📺 pic.twitter.com/8Ac0BKy8aQ
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 30, 2024
The Huskers will open the 4th quarter with that lead after 3 quarters of brilliant defense. They have limited Johnson to 38 total rushing yards on 14 carries, and one of Johnson’s runs went for 25 of those yards. Stratton has been unable to pick up the slack against Nebraska’s defense and is just 5-for-11 for 28 yards.
We’ll see how the 4th quarter goes, but Nebraska is looking strong on the road.