Matt Rhule made an unprecedented move when he hired Dana Holgorsen as his offensive coordinator. The move paid off in Holgorsen’s second game calling plays as Nebraska had their best offensive output of the season against Wisconsin. But Husker fans shouldn’t get too excited, Wisconsin is down this season and still put up over 400-yards of offense against the Blackshirts. Badger quarterback Braedyn Locke picked the Nebraska’s defense apart completing 20 of 30 passes for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Husker secondary continues to find ways to make backup quarterbacks look spectacular. It’s something that absolutely can’t happen against Iowa if the Huskers expect to win.
Last season Iowa defeated Nebraska in Lincoln with a last second field goal which kept the Huskers from becoming bowl eligible. In his Monday press conference Matt Rhule mentioned that some of the Iowa players waved goodbye to the Huskers and wished them a Merry Christmas as they were leaving the field. It’s the sort of thing players and coaches don’t forget. One must believe the memory of that event has been on the player’s minds with each loss and the Iowa game growing closer. Defeating Wisconsin last week at home was important for multiple reasons, but denying Iowa the opportunity to relish in victory once again and meeting them on equal ground was vital. With a record of 7-5, Iowa is already bowl eligible. But beating Iowa at home and handing them another loss would go a long way in building momentum going into a bowl game.
What the numbers say about this game.
Iowa on Offense
Iowa’s Offense, points per game 29.4, Rank – 59th of 134
Nebraska’s Defense allows 20.5 points per game. Rank – 27th of 134
Iowa’s Offense, 133.2 yards passing per game, 8 TD’s. 213.5 yards rushing per game, 29 TD’s, for a total average of 346.7 yards a game.
Nebraska’s Defense allows 218.3 yards passing, 110.9. yards rushing. Average total per game, 329.2 yards.
Iowa’s Offense, 3rd down efficiency, 43.45%. 4th down efficiency 50%
Iowa’s Offense allowed 14 sacks, 7 interceptions, and has a turnover ratio of +11.
Nebraska’s Defense has 26 sacks, 11 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries.
Nebraska on Offense
Nebraska’s Offense, points per game 25.1, Rank- 91st of 134
Iowa’s Defense allows 17.7 points per game. Rank – 12th of 134
Nebraska’s Offense, 231.5 yards passing per game, 12 TD’s. 129.4 yards rushing per game, 19 TD’s, for 360.9 -yard average per game.
Iowa’s Defense allows 196.6 yards passing, 115.1 yards rushing. Average total per game, 311.7 yards
Nebraska’s Offense, 3rd down efficiency, 45.95%, 4th down efficiency 31.58%
Nebraska’s Offense allowed 23 sacks, 11 interceptions for a turnover ratio of +2.
Iowa’s Defense has 23 sacks, 16 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries.
Players to Watch – Iowa
QB Jackson Stratton, 13/20 for 104 yards, 65.0%, 0 TD’s, 0 INT’s. Stratton is Iowa’s fourth string quarterback.
RB Kaleb Johnson, 223 carries for 1,492 yards for a 6.7-yard average with 21 TD’s. Johnson has 20 receptions for 115 yards and 1 TD. Johnson is an aggressive runner that breaks tackles and has the ability to break long runs.
WR Jacob Gill is Iowa’s leading receiver with 31 receptions for 365 yards and 2 TD’s.
TE Luke Lachey has 25 receptions for 218 yards. Iowa has four TE’s with a total of 46 receptions. Iowa’s uses its tight ends as blockers in the running game and with success they force the defense to commit eight to nine men in the box, which allows the tight ends to squirt open for chunk passes.
Place kicker Drew Stevens made 36/36 extra points and 17/20 field goals for an 85% efficiency rate. His longest kick is 54 yards and he is 9/12 on kicks over 30 yards.
LB Jay Higgins, 106 total tackles, 45 solos, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.
LB Nick Jackson, 80 total tackles, 37 solos, 2.5 sacks and 1 interception.
DB Quinn Schulte, 51 total tackles, 32 solos and 3 interceptions.
DL Ethan Hurkett, 46 total tackles, 26 solos, 4.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.
Players to Watch – Nebraska
QB Dylan Riola, 231/348 for 2,405 yards, 66.4% completion rate, 12 TD’s and 10interceptions. Raiola has been sacked 23 times.
RB Dante Dowdell has 130 carries for 564 yards for a 4.3-yard average, 11 TD’s. He also has 7 receptions for 21 yards.
RB Emmett Johnson has 84 carries for 452 yards for a 5.4-yard average and 1 TD. He also has 29 receptions for 237 yards and 1 TD.
WR’s, Jahmal banks, Isaiah Neyor, Jacory barney Jr. have a total of 117 receptions for 1,434 and 8 TD’s. Barney Jr. also has 10 rushes for 130 yards and 3 TD’s.
Place kicker, John Hohl is 20/21 on extra points for a 95.2% efficiency rate. He’s 9/13 on field goals with his longest being 54 yards. Hohl is 6/10 on kicks over 30 yards.
Safety Isaac Gifford, 65 total tackles, 27 solos.
Safety DeShon Singleton, 62 total tackles, 40 solos, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery.
LB John Bullock, 60 total tackles, 30 solos, 3 sacks, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble.
DL Ty Robinson leads the team in sacks with 6 and has 1 forced fumble.
Assessment
Dana Holgersen commented in his Tuesday press conference that he has followed Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes for twenty years and they haven’t changed. They still approach games the same way and continue to win. Holgorsen isn’t wrong, you always know what you are going to get from Iowa, a stout defense, great special teams play, and this year, a very effective running game.
For Nebraska they will have to win this game in one of two ways, shutting down Iowa’s running game and forcing them to pass, or flat out outscore Iowa on offense. Nebraska’s best defense could be a strong offense. If they can jump out to an early lead and force Iowa to play catch up, Iowa isn’t built to play from behind. Nebraska needs to finish the season strong with a win over Iowa and then a bowl win. Going into the offseason with an 8-5 record builds far more momentum than 6-7.
All stats gathered from ESPN.com
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