Preview And Prediction: Iowa vs. Nebraska In Pioneer Heroes Recreation On Black Friday – 247Sports

Iowa heads into Lincoln on Black Friday for the annual regular-season finale with Nebraska. 
Each groups come into this contest with a 7-4 file, with Iowa coming off a comeback victory over Michigan State, whereas Nebraska is coming off a blowout loss at Penn State. 
The Hawkeyes have gained two straight and 9 of the final 10 within the Pioneer Heroes Recreation towards Nebraska. Iowa has gained its final six video games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
Let’s dive into Friday’s matchup, which at all times has a aptitude for the dramatics. 
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• Iowa is certainly one of 4 groups nationally to not have a shedding file within the School Soccer Playoff period (since 2014), together with Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State.
• Iowa is 31-11 in its final 42 rivalry trophy video games.
• Graduate Kaden Wetjen earned his third Large Ten Particular Groups Participant of the Week honors after recording a 62-yard punt return landing in Week 13 towards Michigan State – his third punt return TD this season. He’s the one participant in Large Ten historical past to have three PR touchdowns and a KR landing in the identical season.
• Senior Drew Stevens drilled a 44-yard subject objective as time expired to offer the Hawkeyes a Senior Day victory over Michigan State. It was Stevens’ fourth profession game-winning subject objective (and his second straight on a house Senior Day).
• Since 2015, Iowa has gained 9 video games on a subject objective within the last 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, three greater than every other FBS workforce over that interval.
• QB Mark Gronowski threw his a centesimal profession landing go towards Michigan State in Week 13.
• Iowa has gained seven video games for the twenty first time below head coach Kirk Ferentz.
• Stevens made a 58-yard subject objective in Week 11 towards Oregon, tying an Iowa and Kinnick Stadium file. It’s tied for the third-longest make within the NCAA this season.
• The Iowa protection is eighth nationally in whole protection (267.9) and scoring protection (14.5), ninth in first-down protection (169), twelfth in passing protection (166.3) and 14th in speeding protection (101.6).
• Gronowski scored a landing in Iowa’s first 10 video games this season. The streak was the longest by a Large Ten quarterback all-time.
• Gronowski’s 13 whole speeding TDs are third within the Large Ten, the Eleventh-most nationally and tied for the second-most amongst FBS quarterbacks. The 13 speeding TDs are a single season file by an Iowa quarterback.
• PK Drew Stevens has made 73 profession subject targets — probably the most in program historical past. He’s additionally second in class historical past in profession scoring (334).
• Wetjen, a 2025 Jett Award finalist, is the one participant within the nation to have each a punt and kickoff return TD in 2025. He’s additionally the one participant within the nation to attain by way of a punt, kickoff, speeding and passing landing — the primary participant since 2009 to perform the feat.
Comply with together with the HawkeyeInsider.com Group by way of the site, in addition to Twitter:| @DavidEickholt | @SBock247| @EliotClough
Right here is the right way to watch, stream or hearken to the sport between the Hawkeyes and the Huskers. 
Announcers: Play-By-Play: Wealthy Waltz, Analyst: Ross Tucker, Sideline Reporter: Tiffany Blackmon
TV: CBS at 11:08 AM CT on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025
Location: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Radio: Hawkeye Radio Community- Gary Dolphin, play-by-play, Pat Angerer, colour analyst, Rob Brooks, sideline reporter. Flagship 1040 WHO in Des Moines, 600 WMT AM in Cedar Rapids | 50+ stations in Iowa | The Varsity Community | YouTube | SiriusXM 81
 
Closing Out The Common Season Sturdy: Iowa bought the job finished final week on Senior Day towards Michigan State, however boy, it was not a reasonably one. Had the Hawkeyes not waken up within the fourth quarter, the mindset going into this week towards Nebraska might’ve been fully totally different from an outdoor perspective. The story of this season for Iowa has been the variety of ‘what ifs?’ There have been so many this season, particularly in Iowa’s losses, the place if one or two performs had labored in favor of the Hawkeyes, then this marketing campaign could be fully totally different. It has been a little bit of a disappointment in that regard, but when Iowa can deal with enterprise towards Nebraska and get into a powerful bowl recreation, then the momentum might be working in Iowa’s favor extra going into the offseason and as soon as portal time comes round. Earlier than the season, I feel quite a lot of Iowa followers would’ve taken eight regular-season wins. Certain, it is disappointing now, contemplating how shut the Hawkeyes have been of their losses, however a win over Nebraska might shift the vibes a bit extra on this season. 
 
Iowa Operating Backs: Iowa’s major power on offense is working the soccer. Nebraska’s major weak point on protection is stopping the run. Are you sensing a theme right here? The Iowa working backs will probably be essential on this recreation because the Hawkeyes will look to pound the rock any probability they get and make Nebraska cease them. The Huskers are permitting 226 speeding yards per recreation in losses. Penn State had 231 speeding yards as a workforce within the win over Nebraska whereas Michigan had 286 again in September. Iowa is speeding for a median of 201 yards per recreation in wins after which 126 yards per recreation in losses. The Hawkeyes are going to wish to run the soccer and run it usually. The passing recreation goes to be vital with Mark Gronowski needing to step up and make large throws, however the place it begins and ends for Iowa on this recreation will probably be working the soccer. 
 
Iowa Entrance Seven: The Iowa line of defense and linebackers are going to wish to return up large for the Hawkeyes on this recreation. Nebraska desires to get the soccer to working again Emmett Johnson, who is just not solely a menace within the run recreation, but additionally has probably the most receptions for this Nebraska workforce. Iowa’s line of defense and linebacker unit have not had the perfect of weeks tackling, so with the ability to tame Johnson after which additionally getting residence on Nebraska quarterback TJ Lateef will probably be vital. It is a totally different recreation with Dylan Raiola out for the season. Lateef had a terrific displaying towards Minnesota just a few weeks in the past, however struggled with consistency and ending drives in final week’s loss to Penn State. If Iowa is ready to get residence on Lateef and never enable him to increase performs, the Hawkeyes’ protection can have finished its job. The linebackers might want to deal with within the open subject and restrict Johnson as he could be a big-time distinction maker for the Huskers offensively. 
 
QB TJ Lateef – With Dylan Raiola out for the season, the Huskers have turned to freshman quarterback TJ Lateef below heart. Lateef had a formidable efficiency within the win over UCLA as he was 13-of-15 for 205 yards and three touchdowns, however his outing towards Penn State final week, he got here again to earth slightly bit as he was 21-of-37 for 187 yards. He additionally has the mobility to maneuver round a bit within the pocket. This will probably be Lateef’s first begin for the Huskers at residence as his earlier two begins have been on the street at UCLA and Penn State. 
RB Emmett Johnson – The first again for Nebraska is Johnson. He has had a really robust season for the Huskers, as he’s averaging 5.6 yards per carry, has 1,234 speeding yards, and 11 touchdowns. He has been an enormous a part of Nebraska’s offense this season and likewise been essential within the final 4 video games, as he has ran for over 100 yards in every of these contests. He’s additionally an enormous menace within the passing recreation, as he had three catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns towards UCLA, whereas additionally having eight catches for 48 yards towards Penn State. Johnson leads the workforce with 44 receptions on the season. 
WR Nziyah Hunter – The main receiver for Nebraska is Hunter, as he has 42 catches for 611 yards and 5 touchdowns this season. He had six catches for 70 yards within the win over Northwestern, however has been quieter the previous few video games, as he solely had one catch for 19 yards towards Penn State. 
WR Dane Key – The Kentucky switch is the third main wideout for Nebraska, with 32 catches for 408 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season. He had 4 catches for 48 yards towards Penn State. 
WR Jacory Barney Jr. – The second main receiver for Nebraska, Barney Jr. is a speedster, as he has 42 catches for 458 yards and 4 touchdowns. He had 5 catches for 55 yards within the loss to Penn State. 
Edge Williams Nwaneri – Nebraska hasn’t been in a position to rack up a ton of sacks this season, however the Huskers’ finest go rusher this season has been Nwaneri, who has 26 whole pressures on the season. He additionally has 21 hurries on the season. 
LB Vincent Shavers Jr. – The fourth main tackler for Nebraska, Shavers has been rock strong towards the run for Nebraska this season and likewise has been strong in protection. He’s third on the workforce with 21 stops this fall. 
LB Javin Wright – The main tackler for Nebraska, Wright has been improbable towards the run this season with a PFF grade of 77.7 and likewise has been strong in protection. He leads the workforce in stops with 26. 
CB Ceyair Wright – Wright had been robust on the nook spot, he has been improbable towards the run and enjoying in area, whereas additionally boasting a powerful protection grade. He leads the workforce with 4 go breakups on the season. 
DB Deshon Singleton – A very powerful participant on the defensive facet of the ball for Nebraska, Singleton has been excellent in virtually yearly this season, particularly in tackling and towards the run. He’s second on the workforce with 24 stops and can be the second main tackler on the workforce with 66. 
 
Can the Huskers cowl these run protection leaks? Particularly towards a QB who can hammer on the cracks?
Nebraska’s run protection has been a subject of dialog since spring ball. Counting on quite a lot of youth and comparatively inexperienced gamers on the D-line, it generally felt just like the Huskers wanted guys to be 2026 or 2027 variations of themselves right here on this fall. Lots to ask within the outdated B1G, the place you’re keen on having at the very least a few these 22- to 23-year-old guys who appear to be they have already got mortgages and a House Depot home venture to deal with after the sport. Like Nebraska had with Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher and others final yr, which is why Iowa discovered it so tough in that recreation in Iowa Metropolis. This yr the Huskers have allowed greater than 200 yards speeding in 4 video games – together with 231 by Penn State final week, 202 to USC and Cincinnati and 286 towards Michigan.
The Wolverines beat Nebraska 30-27 with three explosive touchdowns, together with two past 54 yards. Minnesota busted off a couple of 70-yarder to the 1 that bought the Gophers going. So there have been leaks that generally have busted large open with dangerous run suits.
And, whereas there was guys who’ve proven their progress, like Keona Davis on the inside and up-and-comers like former five-star Williams Nwaneri and Kade Pietrzak, confidence is not actual excessive with some followers about how NU’s weaknesses on that facet of the ball pair with Iowa’s strengths. Specifically, QBs who can run have been a menace to Nebraska. In a sequence that usually makes me consider Iowa ultimately breaking that one future to show the tide within the second half or arrange a game-winning subject objective like 2023, Nebraska must play above what has been its norm towards the run this season to be there on the finish.
Can true freshman TJ Lateef play a clear recreation and keep away from that pricey turnover that has particularly crushed Nebraska on this recreation the previous two years?
I consider Nebraska QB Chubba Purdy throwing a choose on the finish of the 2023 recreation or Dylan Raiola fumbling in 2024, resulting in these walk-off winners. We’ll see if we get such drama this time. To take action Lateef goes to should play with quite a lot of poise in simply his third begin.
Thus far he is finished that. Whereas he struggled coming into the sport towards USC when Nebraska had the lead, he was dynamite towards UCLA in his first begin on the street. Dana Holgorsen discovered some high-percentage performs for him however the QB nonetheless made them come to life and was 13-of-15 for 203 yards. 
He wasn’t as on track towards a more durable Penn State squad (21 of 37 for 187) however to date has prevented throwing an interception (4 TDs/0 INTs) and has accomplished 70.4 p.c of his passes. Lateef is extra cellular than Dylan Raiola so you may see some zone learn the place he’ll pull it and possibly extra capability to spin out of go rushes. There’s so much to love about his potential however the California native has performed simply 178 snaps within the school recreation. After all there is a background storyline which you can’t ignore about Nebraska’s quarterback image transferring past with a CBS Sports activities report on the market about whether or not Raiola may contemplate the portal. Whereas not leaping into these waters right here, you possibly can think about there’s excessive intrigue with how Lateef finishes out the season.
Emmett Johnson is the perfect working again Nebraska has had in 11 years.
He has an opportunity to lock up first-team All-Large Ten honors and maybe the working again of the yr within the league with a powerful displaying. Nebraska will feed him the ball 25 to 30 instances each speeding and receiving. And Johnson does have a present for making himself a small goal even within the the center of the opening the best way he maneuvers his physique. At the very least just a few instances a recreation he is been making principally an 8- to 10-yard run out of what might’ve gone for nothing. He is Nebraska’s finest again Ameer Abdullah in 2014.
Whereas he has 1,234 speeding yards he additionally has 348 receiving yards on 44 receptions with the third most all-purpose yards in FBS – even two greater than Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame. Nebraska’s receivers have been robust downfield blockers to assist him get unfastened. And this O-line, whereas struggling in the course of the yr at go professional, has seemed extra in its aspect with the offense feeding No. 21 a lot. An space of battle, although? Across the objective line and fourth-and-shorts. Actually, Nebraska is simply 7-of-22 on fourth downs and was 1-of-6 final week. Even with a top-tier again the Husker offense has struggled to complete drives at instances, rating ninetieth nationally in crimson zone landing proportion.
Nebraska’s particular groups is not a large number. Actually, that part is a workforce power.
After all you may bear in mind NU missed a subject objective final yr towards Iowa and likewise had a punt hit off a Husker to offer Iowa the ball contained in the five-yard-line resulting in an vital subject objective. That was only one recreation of many dangerous examples in 2024.
Rhule made a terrific rent within the offseason, although, bringing again Mike Ekeler (who was on Bo Pelini’s employees again within the day and is a Nebraska native) from Tennessee, the place his items for the Vols ranked within the high 10 in about each season. They have been actually good at protecting punts, which is able to clearly be a storyline since Iowa is presented in that space. The kicking recreation has gotten higher they usually have an Australian punter Archie Wilson who seems to have the products. NU has additionally returned a kickoff for a landing, and one other to the opponent’s 10-yard-line. Jacory Barney is a harmful punt returner as effectively.
So this needs to be a strength-on-strength matchup, which is totally different than the previous.
Will Nebraska present extra consolation within the fourth quarter if it is tight?
Rhule was complimentary of the way it’s a “tremendous energy” for Iowa in feeling snug in shut video games. That had lengthy been a bugaboo for this Husker program. And it is in all probability not time to spike the soccer that it has been fastened simply but.
Nonetheless, Nebraska does have a pair shut wins over Cincinnati and a late drive to win at Maryland within the last two minutes. Additionally they rallied towards Michigan State to dominate the fourth quarter and win that one.  There are some one-score losses to Michigan and USC in there however the Huskers have gained some confidence that they are not at all times anticipating the opposite shoe to drop. Now, can Nebraska have that mindset towards a workforce that has gained 4 video games since 2018 in principally walk-off style? A giant query to reply.
 
Run. The. Rattling. Ball: Do it. Do it once more. Do it some extra. We talked so much beforehand in regards to the Huskers not having a terrific run protection, and the secondary might be spotty at instances if the opponent can get to the second degree within the run recreation. If the Hawkeyes can discover the speeding assault and use it persistently, whether or not that be with Gronowski or the working backs, then Iowa goes to be in a terrific spot to win this contest. Iowa rushes for over 200 yards, the Hawkeyes ought to win this recreation.  
“We have got among the best offensive traces within the nation,” Gronowski stated of benefiting from Nebraska’s spotty run protection. “Logan is up for the Outland Trophy, which is superior — so glad for him. Whenever you’ve bought guys like that up entrance, we are able to proceed to pound the rock. Our receivers are good at blocking, as effectively. So, we’ll proceed to assault that. As soon as these safeties come right down to play the run, that is once we can actually begin hitting them and create large performs that method.” 
 
Get Strain on Lateef And Restrict Johnson: Attending to Lateef and placing strain on him will probably be key. Lateef is proficient and might transfer exterior the pocket a bit, but when the Hawkeyes can get to him and apply constant strain with Nebraska’s spotty go safety. Johnson is likely one of the high playmakers within the Large Ten and might make issues occur within the go and run recreation, which makes him much more of a menace. Iowa’s linebackers have struggled in area and on the level of assault this season with physicality, whereas the line of defense has been up and down the final couple of video games, too. Iowa wants to reduce Nebraska’s playmakers and discover a solution to get strain on Lateef. 
David Eickholt’s Prediction – Document: 10-1
This is likely one of the most enjoyable and unusual rivalries within the Large Ten. The animosity between the 2 fan bases has solely amplified all through the previous decade. Nebraska desires to discover a solution to get knock away the cloud that has been hanging over the pinnacle of this system. 
The most important query mark about this recreation is how will every workforce reply? Nebraska left so much to be desired in its blowout loss and Iowa escaped from one of many worst groups within the Large Ten. Nebraska has had difficulties stopping the run this season. Iowa has one of the vital veteran offensive traces within the nation. 
This needs to be a recreation the place Iowa runs the ball 45-50 instances and pressure freshman TJ Lateef to make errors. Choosing something apart from a walk-off subject objective might be a nasty guess on the subject of this sequence, however eh… let’s have some enjoyable.
Iowa 23, Nebraska 13
Sean Bock’s Prediction – Document: 10-1 
This recreation is at all times so bizarre. 
I like Iowa’s matchup within the speeding assault. If the Hawkeyes can run the ball successfully, get nice safety upfront, and deal with the soccer, they need to be in a great place. 
The protection goes to wish to provide you with a turnover or two to get momentum, and do not enable the Nebraska offense to get confidence. If Iowa can get strain on Lateef and tame Johnson, I like its probabilities. 
Particular groups might play an element, because it has been a much-improved Nebraska unit this fall. I feel Iowa pulls off the win in Lincoln and covers. 
Iowa 20, Nebraska 10
Eliot Clough’s Prediction – Document: 10-1
Iowa and Nebraska’s final seven matchups have been determined by one rating, seven factors or much less. The final two matchups have been as loopy as ever, between back-to-back interceptions and a strip sack by Max Llewellyn, the Hawkeyes and Huskers matchup appears to at all times finish in chaos. 
This time, that is probably not the case. Iowa has a transparent benefit in working the ball, and Nebraska has struggled to cease it, particularly during the last 5 video games (as you possibly can see in Three Focal Points).
Due to the distinct benefit on the bottom, my head says Iowa by double digits. My coronary heart says Drew Stevens finishes his common season profession with back-to-back game-winning subject targets. Going with my head on this one.
Iowa 24, Nebraska 13
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