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Final: Iowa completes perfect regular season with 28-20 win at Nebraska
THE SKINNY
Jordan Canzeri ran for 139 yards and two touchdowns, Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw four interceptions, including one for a TD, and fourth-ranked Iowa (12-0) completed its first unbeaten regular season since 1922 with a 28-20 win Friday at Nebraska (5-7).
COMPLETE COVERAGE
No. 4 Iowa 28, Nebraska 20: 'One big, crazy dream'
Hlas: A 12th story for Hawkeyes' book of dreams
Hesse's pick six hushes the Huskers
Play of the Game: Canzeri untouched for 68 yards
Video: Kirk Ferentz addresses the media
Heroes trophy. 12-0. November 28, 2015
Heroes trophy. 12-0. #Hawkeyes @CRGazetteSports @Hlas @ScottDochterman @marcmorehouse #oniowa #NEBvsIOWA #nobeer pic.twitter.com/7HA5mrD8Pw
— Adam Wesley (@adambwesley)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Canzeri and the Hawkeye offensive line put on a show in the third quarter of a game in which Iowa's offense had trouble, being out-gained 433-250 and not converting a third down.
Desmond King returned a punt to the Husker 48 and got 15 yards tacked on due to a late hit out of bounds. Two plays later, Canzeri raced past the Nebraska defense for a 29-yard TD and 21-10 lead early in the third.
Nebraska responded with a 75-yard drive, capped by Imani Cross' second 4-yard TD run of the day.
But on the first play of the next drive, Canzeri scored on the same play, this time from 67 yards to put the Hawkeyes up 28-17.
Down two scores with around seven minutes to go in the fourth, Nebraska turned it over on downs at the Iowa 21 when a fade route to the end zone fell incomplete on 4th-and-1.
It's a star-turn performance for Iowa CB Greg Mabin today, and Iowa can thank the Huskers for an odd call on 4th-and-1.November 27, 2015
It's a star-turn performance for Iowa CB Greg Mabin today, and Iowa can thank the Huskers for an odd call on 4th-and-1.
— Mike Hlas (@Hlas)
Nebraska got the ball back and Armstrong threw it right to Josey Jewell. A 42-yard field goal with 1:17 left cut the lead to eight, but the Hawkeyes recovered the ensuing onside kick to ensure victory.
In the second quarter, an Iowa blitz forced Armstrong to rush a screen pass, and defensive end Parker Hesse tipped it to himself for a four-yard pick six that put the Hawkeyes up 14-7.
T. Armstrong Jr. pass intercepted for a TD,P. Hesse return for 4 yds for a TD - ESPN Video
#Iowa now with 4 INT returned for TD this season, most in #BigTen and tied for 2nd most in the nation. #Hawkeyes #IOWAvsNEB
— BTNStatsGuys (@BTNStatsGuys)
Armstrong recovered, leading a Nebraska two-minute drill to the Iowa 21 and Drew Brown cut the lead to 14-10 with a 39-yard field goal into the wind.
Iowa never trailed in the game, but the Huskers had tied the game earlier in the second quarter.
After missing the first quarter due to being late to a team meeting, King entered the second quarter and promptly muffed a punt that gave Nebraska the ball in Iowa territory.
A sideline infraction penalty on the Hawkeyes moved the Huskers to the 4, and Imani Cross plunged in to tie the score with 10:18 left in the second quarter.
#Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz throws his hat after talking with officials @marcmorehouse @ScottDochterman @hlas pic.twitter.com/Uqu625JAkz
— Stephen Mally (@stephenmally)
On a drive aided greatly by Nebraska penalties, C.J. Beathard rolled right and hit a wide-open George Kittle for a 10-yard TD that opened the scoring with 13:51 left in the second.
Nebraska showing why it's 95th in penalty yardage. Averages 63.3 penalty yards a game. Has 30 on this drive alone, 40 for the game.November 27, 2015
Nebraska showing why it's 95th in penalty yardage. Averages 63.3 penalty yards a game. Has 30 on this drive alone, 40 for the game.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman)
A Sean Welsh holding penalty and Marshall Koehn shanked punt gave the Huskers great field position at the Iowa 47 in the first quarter, but Iowa linebacker Cole Fisher picked off Armstrong on the next play.
Fisher, a Nebraska native, broke up a 3rd-and-17 pass later that would have gone for a first down had he not gotten a hand on it.
Linebacker Ben Niemann took an inadvertent helmet-to-helmet hit from teammate Josey Jewell and had to leave the game, replaced by Bo Bower.
Nebraska safety Nate Gerry was ejected for a targeting penalty that left Iowa wide receiver Tevaun Smith shaken up late in the second quarter. Smith stayed in the game.
PLAY YOU HAVE TO SEE
Still not sure how Brandon Reilly came up with this.
T. Armstrong Jr. pass,to B. Reilly for 27 yds for a 1ST down - ESPN Video
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Talk to your kids about an undefeated regular season Iowa, folks.November 27, 2015
Talk to your kids about an undefeated regular season Iowa, folks.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer)
I'd imagine no one enjoys watching Iowa more than offensive line coaches. The hole on that Canzeri TD ...November 27, 2015
I'd imagine no one enjoys watching Iowa more than offensive line coaches. The hole on that Canzeri TD ...
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel)
'There's no way Donald Trump wins a presidential election.' Well, Iowa's gonna be an undefeated Big Ten champ in a week, so.November 27, 2015
'There's no way Donald Trump wins a presidential election.' Well, Iowa's gonna be an undefeated Big Ten champ in a week, so.
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub)
Everybody is in line for the Tommy Armstrong Roller Coaster!November 27, 2015
Everybody is in line for the Tommy Armstrong Roller Coaster!
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli)
As usual, Iowa isn't pretty, but it's effective. Out gained 168-112 but winning 14-10 at halftime. Two turnovers by Huskers are big.November 27, 2015
As usual, Iowa isn't pretty, but it's effective. Out gained 168-112 but winning 14-10 at halftime. Two turnovers by Huskers are big.
— Tom Dienhart (@BTNTomDienhart)
NEXT UP
Iowa travels to Indianapolis for its first ever Big Ten championship game next Saturday against the East Division winner. Michigan State will be the opponent if the Spartans beat Penn State.
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