It’s like there’s a secret contract between the Nebraska and Iowa football teams, and in the fine print, at the very bottom, in great detail, it states that Nebraska must commit an untimely turnover in the waning moments, putting the Hawkeyes in field goal range to win the game. New year, eerily similar result.
Apart from the one massive strip sack by Hawkeye defender Max Llewellyn, there were two other plays that defined this game, both of which led directly to Iowa’s first two scores.
The first play was the botched punt return that gave the Hawkeyes the ball at the five yard line. Fortunately, the Blackshirts stood strong and held Iowa to a field goal. At the time, it was a huge moment.
The second play was Iowa Running Back Kaleb Johnson’s 72 Yard touchdown. It was a run that should’ve been stopped for a 4 or 5 yard gain, but thanks to poor tackling on the edge, Johnson broke free, and just like that, the game was tied.
I want to provide the readers with some of my own personal perspective of what ensued when Nebraska got the ball back in a tied game with two minutes to go. I work at a sports bar, and every game day, the place is packed, fans are excited, and hopes are high. Our little bar turns into a mini Sea of Red. You see the looks of joy and jubilation. You hear the eruption of cheers and hoorays. The regular at the bar is cueing up the “GO BIG RED” chants.
The vibes were positive throughout nearly the entire game, and that includes when Iowa scored their only touchdown. It wasn’t until Nebraska’s final drive that there was a shift in the atmosphere, and it came well before the strip sack even occurred. The feeling of distress inside the bar was palpable as Dylan Raiola and the Huskers took the field with a chance to win. It was like every customer was having a shared recurring nightmare.
Lo and behold, with 20 seconds remaining in regulation, Iowa forces the turnover and nails the game winning 53 yard field goal.
It’s a disappointing way to close out the regular season, especially after a week of enthusiasm following the win against Wisconsin, but Nebraska’s season is not over, and in the time of the year to be grateful, be grateful for that.
