Preview And Prediction: Iowa vs. Nebraska In Pioneer Heroes Sport 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 document, 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 Sport in opposition to 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 one in every of 4 groups nationally to not have a shedding document within the Faculty 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 Massive Ten Particular Groups Participant of the Week honors after recording a 62-yard punt return landing in Week 13 in opposition to Michigan State – his third punt return TD this season. He’s the one participant in Massive Ten historical past to have three PR touchdowns and a KR landing in the identical season.
• Senior Drew Stevens drilled a 44-yard subject aim as time expired to provide the Hawkeyes a Senior Day victory over Michigan State. It was Stevens’ fourth profession game-winning subject aim (and his second straight on a house Senior Day).
• Since 2015, Iowa has gained 9 video games on a subject aim within the closing 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, three greater than another FBS workforce over that interval.
• QB Mark Gronowski threw his a hundredth profession landing go in opposition to 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 aim in Week 11 in opposition to Oregon, tying an Iowa and Kinnick Stadium document. 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 dashing protection (101.6).
• Gronowski scored a landing in Iowa’s first 10 video games this season. The streak was the longest by a Massive Ten quarterback all-time.
• Gronowski’s 13 whole dashing TDs are third within the Massive Ten, the Eleventh-most nationally and tied for the second-most amongst FBS quarterbacks. The 13 dashing TDs are a single season document by an Iowa quarterback.
• PK Drew Stevens has made 73 profession subject objectives — 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 through a punt, kickoff, dashing and passing landing — the primary participant since 2009 to perform the feat.
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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 Robust: Iowa obtained the job performed final week on Senior Day in opposition to Michigan State, however boy, it was not a fairly one. Had the Hawkeyes not waken up within the fourth quarter, the mindset going into this week in opposition to Nebraska may’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 can be utterly totally different. It has been a little bit of a disappointment in that regard, but when Iowa can care for enterprise in opposition to Nebraska and get into a robust bowl recreation, then the momentum may very well be working in Iowa’s favor extra going into the offseason and as soon as portal time comes round. Earlier than the season, I believe a number of Iowa followers would’ve taken eight regular-season wins. Certain, it is disappointing now, contemplating how shut the Hawkeyes had been of their losses, however a win over Nebraska may shift the vibes a bit extra on this season. 
 
Iowa Working Backs: Iowa’s major power on offense is working the soccer. Nebraska’s foremost weak point on protection is stopping the run. Are you sensing a theme right here? The Iowa working backs will likely 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 dashing yards per recreation in losses. Penn State had 231 dashing yards as a workforce within the win over Nebraska whereas Michigan had 286 again in September. Iowa is dashing for a mean 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 crucial with Mark Gronowski needing to step up and make huge throws, however the place it begins and ends for Iowa on this recreation will likely be working the soccer. 
 
Iowa Entrance Seven: The Iowa defensive position and linebackers are going to wish to come back up huge for the Hawkeyes on this recreation. Nebraska desires to get the soccer to working again Emmett Johnson, who just isn’t solely a menace within the run recreation, but in addition has probably the most receptions for this Nebraska workforce. Iowa’s defensive position and linebacker unit have not had the most effective of weeks tackling, so with the ability to tame Johnson after which additionally getting dwelling on Nebraska quarterback TJ Lateef will likely be crucial. It is a totally different recreation with Dylan Raiola out for the season. Lateef had an excellent exhibiting in opposition to Minnesota a number of 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 dwelling on Lateef and never enable him to increase performs, the Hawkeyes’ protection may have performed 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 middle. Lateef had a powerful efficiency within the win over UCLA as he was 13-of-15 for 205 yards and three touchdowns, however his outing in opposition to 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 likely be Lateef’s first begin for the Huskers at dwelling as his earlier two begins had been on the highway 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 dashing yards, and 11 touchdowns. He has been an enormous a part of Nebraska’s offense this season and in addition 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 in opposition to UCLA, whereas additionally having eight catches for 48 yards in opposition to 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 couple of video games, as he solely had one catch for 19 yards in opposition to 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 in opposition to 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 capable of rack up a ton of sacks this season, however the Huskers’ greatest 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 in opposition to the run for Nebraska this season and in addition 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 in opposition to the run this season with a PFF grade of 77.7 and in addition 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 in opposition to the run and enjoying in area, whereas additionally boasting a robust protection grade. He leads the workforce with 4 go breakups on the season. 
DB Deshon Singleton – Crucial participant on the defensive facet of the ball for Nebraska, Singleton has been superb in nearly yearly this season, particularly in tackling and in opposition to the run. He’s second on the workforce with 24 stops and can also be the second main tackler on the workforce with 66. 
 
Can the Huskers cowl these run protection leaks? Particularly in opposition to a QB who can hammer on the cracks?
Nebraska’s run protection has been a subject of dialog since spring ball. Counting on a number of youth and comparatively inexperienced gamers on the D-line, it typically felt just like the Huskers wanted guys to be 2026 or 2027 variations of themselves right here on this fall. Loads to ask within the outdated B1G, the place you’re keen on having a minimum of a few these 22- to 23-year-old guys who seem like they have already got mortgages and a House Depot home undertaking to deal with after the sport. Like Nebraska had with Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher and others final 12 months, which is why Iowa discovered it so tough in that recreation in Iowa Metropolis. This 12 months the Huskers have allowed greater than 200 yards dashing in 4 video games – together with 231 by Penn State final week, 202 to USC and Cincinnati and 286 in opposition to 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 obtained the Gophers going. So there have been leaks that typically have busted huge open with dangerous run suits.
And, whereas there was guys who’ve proven their development, 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 always makes me consider Iowa finally breaking that one future to show the tide within the second half or arrange a game-winning subject aim like 2023, Nebraska should play above what has been its norm in opposition to 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 decide 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 must play with a number of poise in simply his third begin.
Up to now he is performed that. Whereas he struggled coming into the sport in opposition to USC when Nebraska had the lead, he was dynamite in opposition to UCLA in his first begin on the highway. 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 heading in the right direction in opposition to a harder 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 % of his passes. Lateef is extra cell than Dylan Raiola so you will see some zone learn the place he’ll pull it and doubtless extra means to spin out of go rushes. There’s lots to love about his potential however the California native has performed simply 178 snaps within the faculty recreation. In fact there is a background storyline which you can’t ignore about Nebraska’s quarterback image shifting past with a CBS Sports activities report on the market about whether or not Raiola would possibly take into account 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 most effective working again Nebraska has had in 11 years.
He has an opportunity to lock up first-team All-Massive Ten honors and maybe the working again of the 12 months within the league with a robust exhibiting. Nebraska will feed him the ball 25 to 30 occasions each dashing and receiving. And Johnson does have a present for making himself a small goal even within the the center of the outlet the best way he maneuvers his physique. At the least a number of occasions a recreation he is been making mainly an 8- to 10-yard run out of what may’ve gone for nothing. He is Nebraska’s greatest again Ameer Abdullah in 2014.
Whereas he has 1,234 dashing 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 12 months at go professional, has regarded extra in its aspect with the offense feeding No. 21 a lot. An space of battle, although? Across the aim line and fourth-and-shorts. The truth is, 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 occasions, rating ninetieth nationally in purple zone landing share.
Nebraska’s particular groups is now not a large number. The truth is, that part is a workforce power.
In fact you would possibly bear in mind NU missed a subject aim final 12 months in opposition to Iowa and in addition had a punt hit off a Husker to provide Iowa the ball contained in the five-yard-line resulting in an vital subject aim. That was only one recreation of many dangerous examples in 2024.
Rhule made an excellent 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 models for the Vols ranked within the prime 10 in about each season. They have been actually good at masking punts, which is able to clearly be a storyline since Iowa is presented in that space. The kicking recreation has gotten higher and so they 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 nicely.
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 most likely not time to spike the soccer that it has been mounted simply but.
Nonetheless, Nebraska does have a pair shut wins over Cincinnati and a late drive to win at Maryland within the closing two minutes. Additionally they rallied in opposition to 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 don’t seem to be at all times anticipating the opposite shoe to drop. Now, can Nebraska have that mindset in opposition to a workforce that has gained 4 video games since 2018 in mainly walk-off vogue? An enormous query to reply.
 
Run. The. Rattling. Ball: Do it. Do it once more. Do it some extra. We talked lots beforehand in regards to the Huskers not having an excellent run protection, and the secondary will be spotty at occasions if the opponent can get to the second degree within the run recreation. If the Hawkeyes can discover the dashing assault and use it persistently, whether or not that be with Gronowski or the working backs, then Iowa goes to be in an excellent spot to win this contest. Iowa rushes for over 200 yards, the Hawkeyes ought to win this recreation.  
“We have the most effective offensive strains within the nation,” Gronowski mentioned of benefiting from Nebraska’s spotty run protection. “Logan is up for the Outland Trophy, which is superior — so joyful for him. While you’ve obtained guys like that up entrance, we will proceed to pound the rock. Our receivers are good at blocking, as nicely. 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 huge performs that method.” 
 
Get Stress on Lateef And Restrict Johnson: Attending to Lateef and placing strain on him will likely be key. Lateef is proficient and may 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 among the prime playmakers within the Massive Ten and may 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 defensive position has been up and down the final couple of video games, too. Iowa wants to attenuate Nebraska’s playmakers and discover a approach to get strain on Lateef. 
David Eickholt’s Prediction – Report: 10-1
This is among the most enjoyable and unusual rivalries within the Massive Ten. The animosity between the 2 fan bases has solely amplified all through the previous decade. Nebraska desires to discover a approach to get knock away the cloud that has been hanging over the top of this system. 
The most important query mark about this recreation is how will every workforce reply? Nebraska left lots to be desired in its blowout loss and Iowa escaped from one of many worst groups within the Massive Ten. Nebraska has had difficulties stopping the run this season. Iowa has some of the veteran offensive strains within the nation. 
This needs to be a recreation the place Iowa runs the ball 45-50 occasions and drive freshman TJ Lateef to make errors. Selecting something apart from a walk-off subject aim might be a foul wager on the subject of this sequence, however eh… let’s have some enjoyable.
Iowa 23, Nebraska 13
Sean Bock’s Prediction – Report: 10-1 
This recreation is at all times so bizarre. 
I like Iowa’s matchup within the dashing assault. If the Hawkeyes can run the ball successfully, get nice safety upfront, and care for the soccer, they need to be in a great spot. 
The protection goes to wish to give you 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 possibilities. 
Particular groups may play an element, because it has been a much-improved Nebraska unit this fall. I believe Iowa pulls off the win in Lincoln and covers. 
Iowa 20, Nebraska 10
Eliot Clough’s Prediction – Report: 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 will not be the case. Iowa has a transparent benefit in working the ball, and Nebraska has struggled to cease it, particularly over the past 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 objectives. Going with my head on this one.
Iowa 24, Nebraska 13
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