Stat Pak: Throw your hats in the air

5 BULLET POINTS ON NEBRASKA RESULT

1. Tale of two throw-back screens — I don't care if this ends up on some bulletin board somewhere and I'm still not convinced this blog reaches much beyond downtown CR (I'm not fooling myself here), but I don't know why Nebraska QB Tommy Armstrong threw his first-quarter interception that LB Cole Fisher fielded like a punt.

Armstrong ran right and threw back to his left. OK, might not all be on Armstrong. It looked as if Nebraska O-linemen set up for a screen. And fullback Andy Janovich definitely ran a wheel route (he was covered). Was Janovich supposed to just run a flat and take a screen pass? Probably. Still, with LB Ben Niemann in his face, Armstrong threw from his back foot, across his body and late to the sideline. It was the first of four interceptions that doomed the Huskers.

2. Then, there was . . . After the Hawkeyes were called for a cut block, they faced a second-and-17 from Nebraska's 29. Beathard moved the pocket to the right. The O-line released its initial blocks and DT Maliek Collins was speeding toward Beathard. The key fake was put on DE Greg McMullen. He initially hooked up with TE Henry Krieger Coble, who released and went into route. McMullen charged up field in pursuit of Beathard and then you can tell when the 'screen' light went on. He saw Beathard stop and look left. McMullen tried getting some depth and almost made a fantastic play, but the pass drifted over his head and into Krieger Coble's hands. He flew upfield for a 19-yard gain. Beathard hit TE George Kittle on a play-action bootleg for a 10-yard TD on the next play.

3. Nate Gerry ejection — I've given up comment on these, because I don't know them when I see them. I will, however, say this: If an offensive player is running with the football and helmet to helmet happens, it's not been called. I refer to the Pitt game when CJB took a helmet to the jaw. I refer to FS Jordan Lomax and his hit on Purdue QB David Blough. I think Lomax dodged that bullet against Wisconsin TE Troy Fumagalli when Fumagalli lowered his head before impact. At least, that's what I think. These decisions are made at internet (good internet) speed and then talked about behind closed doors at the Big Ten office if at all.

Targeting does generally get called when a receiver is laid out. Gerry stuck his helmet on WR Tevan Smith's facemask. There didn't seem to be a huge argument on the Nebraska sideline. It happens so fast, it's almost like a crime of passion. The deed is done and you find yourself on the sideline awaiting sentence. Gerry was ejected and it had to affect the Huskers defense. He's one of their better players.

The key term is 'defenseless' player. It might be time to teach a hip check tackling technique.

4. Ferentz was mad at the covered TE — Armstrong hit TE Cethan Carter (really good player, IMO) for a 25-yard gain after Desmond King muffed a punt. This set up the Huskers first TD. Ferentz went all Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald and ran out to the field numbers trying to get the attention of an official. He believed a Nebraska WR covered Carter, thus rendering him an ineligible receiver.

I've seen some still photos of this and it's hard to tell. Ferentz threw his stocking cap and received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike, the first, I believe, in his 17 seasons as Iowa's head coach. That should tell you something about how much he believed he was correct.

'Difference of opinion on one play,' Ferentz said coyly. 'That happens, that's life.'

My guess is the officials told him they believed Carter wasn't covered.

5. Injury report — We're not sure on the availabily of linebacker Ben Niemann or DE Nate Meier.

You saw Niemann. He took a helmet-to-helmet from linebacker and teammate Josey Jewell late in the first quarter. He wobbled to his feet and left the game. Niemann was out on the field after the game and celebrated the victory with teammates.

Meier left the game in the fourth quarter. Ferentz said it wasn't a head injury. I'm thinking probably something left over from the injury he suffered to his left shoulder during the Maryland game.

Here's what KF said about the injuries (there have been no updates since):

'Ben maybe (going through concussion protocol), they pulled his helmet, but he was obviously in a little bit of trouble there initially,' Ferentz said. 'He came out at halftime and he was great. Nate is a whole different discussion. There's nothing wrong with his head, that I'm aware of at least.'

THREE STARS

1. RB Jordan Canzeri — This was almost an exact replica of the Wisconsin game. Against the Badgers, Canzeri rushed for 145 yards and the Hawkeyes generated just 221 yards of total offense. Canzeri logged 56.5 percent of Iowa's offense that day. Against the Huskers, Iowa had 250 yards of total offense, with 140 coming from Canzeri on the ground. That's 56 percent. The thing about Canzeri's two long runs (29 and 68) in the third quarter was the timing. The blocking was great and fullbacks and wide receivers were a huge part of it, but the plays were so well timed.

2. CB Greg Mabin — The junior has had some ups and downs this season. He's found himself in the crosshairs a lot, with his CB partner Desmond King leading the Big Ten with eight interceptions. Mabin came up with a pick, nine tackles and a pass breakup against the Huskers. He had a few bouts of coughing after the game. The Florida native said that always happens when he plays in cold weather. He'll be in a dome this week.

3. LB Cole Fisher — Tied for the team lead with 11 tackles. He also had his first career interception and a pass breakup. This all happened in his home state and in front of a good chunk of the Fisher family.

FILM ROOM

— I'm not sure how sophomore Bo Bower

might've graded, but I want to recognize him for a) being ready to jump into the game and b), to at least my eye, performing well. Bower finished with five tackles, a tackle for loss and a QB hurry. Bower made 13 starts at outside linebacker last season, moved to weakside in the spring and lost a race with Fisher. Instead of going all 'me' and pouting and thinking about a transfer, he stayed in the saddle and, when called upon in week 13, was ready to perform.

That's a piece of a 12-0 puzzle.

What's Bower next year? Iowa could be in for a run here.

— Where does this offensive line fit in the pantheon of Iowa O-lines? And, if you believe it's in the discussion, which combination of starters are you talking about?

This is why I say on the podcast (do you listen?) that I believe Iowa is in for a run here. This group is relatively young and it's had to be deep because of injuries.

— Speaking of paying dividends, I think the snaps that DE Matt Nelson and DT Faith Ekakitie

have gotten the last few weeks are huge for the now and the later. Nelson has probably installed himself as the heir apparent for Meier . . . unless, of course, Drew Ott is awarded a fifth season of eligibility.

Oh, there's that possibility, too. Iowa could be in for a run here.

— Nerdy little thing, but did you notice late in the fourth quarter that LB Aaron Mends

replaced Bower in the raider third-down package? I saw this on field level. Armstrong broke contain to Mends' side. I watched and thought that probably Mends would close quickly and force a throw. That was exactly what happened.

Oh yeah, true freshman Jack Hockaday

saw some time with the defense.

What will Mends be next year? Hockaday? Iowa could be in for a run here.

TWO PLAYS

1. The slant play — Canzeri's 29-yard TD run in the third quarter gave Iowa some liftoff in a 14-10 game. The playcall was a slant away from DT Maliek Collins, who was that big, red No. 7 who was within arm's length of Canzeri on the backside and then Canzeri turned on the jets.

Center Austin Blythe pulled and locked up with guard Sean Welsh on a double-team with Nebraska DT Vincent Valentine. This bubbled the Huskers' defense. Linebacker Josh Banderas successfully sidestepped a cut block attempt by guard Jordan Walsh, but he had to negotiate the clump that Blythe and Welsh created and couldn't reach the outside on time. TE Henry Krieger Coble rode DE Greg McMullen 7 yards down the field. The run-force corner was downfield with WR Matt VandenBerg. Left tackle Boone Myers rode linebacker Dedrick Young out of the play.

Fullbacks threw key blocks on both of Canzeri's third-quarter TD bursts. This time, it was senior Macon Plewa picking up and kicking out a charging safety, who made a great read but didn't shed a block. Gerry probably helps Nebraska here, by the way.

2. The inside zone — This time Young made a good read of a defensive coach made a solid call on a run blitz. Young charged up field and . . . ran into fullback Adam Cox. Myers got a seal on McMullen. Welsh got a block on Banderas and the alley was open.

The run-force corner? He was lined up across from WR Tevaun Smith. Those two ended up deep into the Nebraska sideline. That turned a 20-yard gain into a 68-yard TD.

UP NEXT — NO. 5 MICHIGAN STATE (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten East)

— Iowa and Michigan State could be the two guys at the bar who compare scars from that one knife fight in a gravel parking lot at a road house near the diamond mines of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The Detroit Free Press' Joe Rexrode writes that what didn't kill the Spartans made them stronger.

— I know a lot of Hawkeye fans think MSU coach Mark Dantonio is evil. I think he's a genius. How can you not totally dig his seemingly personal battle with Michigan? That's just fun to watch on so many levels. I love that man vs. mountain stuff. I thought this was a rather genius move, too. From the Detroit News' Matt Charboneau, Michigan State's message to recruits this week as it prepares for the Big Ten title game.

— Graham Couch from the Lansing State Journal writes that, yes, Michigan State and Iowa are of the same football zygote, but the Spartans have ascended to the elites while the Hawkeyes are enjoying a moment in the sun.

It's all about quarterback, for both programs. Got one, got a chance to be great. Don't? Better have a really great defense and an even better O-line.

THE NUMBERS GAME

Touchdowns in the red zone

Iowa — 1 of 1

Nebraska — 2 of 3

Tracking the Hawkeyes: Week 1 vs. ISU — 4 of 5 (off), 1 of 1 (def); Week 2 Iowa State — 2 of 3 (off), 1 of 2 (def); Week 3 vs. Pitt — 3 of 3 (off), 2 of 3 (def); Week 4 North Texas — 5 of 5 (off), 1 of 3 (def); Week 5 Wisconsin — 1 of 4 (off), 0 of 2 (def); Week 6 vs. Illinois — 1 of 4 (off), 1 of 2 (def); Week 7 vs. Northwestern — 4 of 8 (off), 1 of 2 (def); Week 8 vs. Maryland — 3 of 4 (off), 1 of 2 (def); Week 9 vs. Indiana — 4 of 4 (off), 1 of 3 (def); Week 10 vs. Minnesota — 4 of 5 (off), 3 of 3 (def); Week 11 vs. Purdue — 3 of 3 (off), 2 of 4 (def); Week 12 vs. Nebraska — 1 of 1 (off), 2 of 3 (def)

The takeaway: This just wasn't a great game for the offense. Yes, two explosive plays went into the end zone, but overall, it was a day where Ferentz was content to let Nebraska burn itself down with turnovers. Why not? It worked.

3 and outs (forced by defense)

Iowa — 5

Nebraska — 5

Tracking the Hawkeyes: Week 1 vs. ISU — 3 (def), 2 (off); Week 2 vs. Iowa State — 4 (def), 4 (off); Week 3 vs. Pitt — 3 (def), 2 (off); Week 4 vs. North Texas — 6 (def), 3 (off); Week 5 vs. Wisconsin — 4 (def), 3 (off); Week 6 vs. Illinois — 5 (def), 1 (off); Week 7 vs. Northwestern: 7 (def), 3 (off); Week 8 vs. Maryland — 6 (def), 1 (off); Week 9 vs. Indiana — 3 (def), 3 (off); Week 10 vs. Minnesota — 3 (def), 1 (off); Week 11 vs. Purdue — 2 (def), 4 (off); Week 12 vs. Nebraska — 5 (def), 5 (off)

The takeaway: Just not a productive offensive day. That was the highest number of three-and-outs Iowa has endured this season. Defensively, the turnovers were the thing, for this number and for the game. Impossible to overcome.

Second half adjustments

Iowa — 138 yards, 7.6 yards per play (18 plays)

Nebraska — 265 yards, 5.6 yards per play (47 plays)

Tracking the Hawkeyes: Week 1 vs. ISU — 163 yards, 5.25 yards per play (31 offensive plays), 195 yards, 6.5 yards per play (30 plays on defense); Week 2 vs. Iowa State — 232 yards, 6.62 yards per play (35 offensive plays), 66 yards, 2.12 yards per play (31 defensive plays); Week 3 vs. Pitt — 165 yards, 5.5 yards per play (30 off plays), 124 yards, 5.1 yards per play (31 def plays); Week 4 vs. North Texas — 148 yards, 4.9 yards per play (30 offensive plays), 207 yards, 4.3 yards per play (48 defensive plays); Week 5 vs. Wisconsin — 69 yards, 2.55 yards per play (27 offensive plays), 177 yards, 4.21 yards per play (42 defensive plays); Week 6 vs. Illinois — 179 yards, 5.42 yards per play (33 offensive plays); 242 yards, 5.90 yards per play (41 defensive plays); Week 7 vs. Northwestern — 296 yards, 7.1 yards per play (42 offensive plays); 80 yards, 2.75 yards per play (29 defensive plays); Week 8 vs. Maryland — 53 yards, 2.03 yards per play (26 offensive plays); 173 yards, 5.1 yards per play (34 defensive plays); Week 9 vs. Indiana — 201 yards, 4.9 yards per play (41 offensive plays), 166 yards, 4.05 yards per play (41 defensive plays); Week 10 vs. Minnesota — 216 yards, 6.5 yards per play (33 offensive plays), 225 yards, 7.25 yards per play (31 defensive plays); Week 11 vs. Purdue — 186 yards, 6.4 yards per play (33 offensive plays); 249 yards, 5.2 yards per play (48 defensive plays); Week 12 vs. Nebraska — 138 yards, 7.6 yards per play (18 offensive plays); 265 yards, 5.6 yards per play (47 defensive plays)

The takeaway: These numbers will never compute. Mike Riley is still probabaly scratching his head. Then again, Canzeri's two explosive runs vs. Armstrong's two second-half interceptions. The Huskers even had the wind in the fourth quarter. Explosive plays vs. turnovers, OC Greg Davis does that math all the time.

20-plus plays

Iowa — 4

Nebraska — 5

Tracking the Hawkeyes: Week 1 vs. ISU — 4 (off), 3 (allowed); Week 2 vs. Iowa State — 6 (off), 3 (allowed); Week 3 vs. Pitt — 4 (off), 3 (def); Week 4 vs. North Texas — 4 (off), 4 (def); Week 5 vs. Wisconsin — 2 (off), 3 (def); Week 6 vs. Illinois — 5 (off), 5 (def); Week 7 vs. Northwestern — 4 (off), 1 (def); Week 8 vs. Maryland — 4 (off), 2 (def); Week 9 vs. Indiana — 5 (off), 5 (def); Week 10 vs. Minnesota — 8 (off), 5 (def); Week 11 vs. Purdue — 6 (off), 4 (def); Week 12 vs. Nebraska — 4 (off), 5 (def)

The takeaway: Off the top of my head, I thought this would be a landslide for Nebraska, which put up all five of its 20-plus plays through the air. Hmm. Does that sound like Nebraska to you? The Huskers aren't a balanced team right now. It worked against Michigan State in a 39-38 victory, but I imagine the wind was less of a factor. Obviously, Canzeri's runs were the two biggest offensive plays of the game for Iowa. DE Parker Hesse's pick six? Was that the biggest play of the game? You could make an argument. It changed the game's schedule.

The Iowa/Greg Davis definition of explosive (it's 12-plus runs and 16-plus passes): 6 (Illinois State 9, Iowa State 12, Pitt 6, North Texas 10; Wisconsin 5; Illinois 9, Northwestern 12, Maryland 8, Indiana 8, Minnesota 15. Purdue 9, Nebraska 6)

Magic points (scores inside of two minutes)

Iowa — 0

Nebraska — 6

Tracking the Hawkeyes: Week 1 vs. ISU — 3 (off), 7 (allowed); Week 2 vs. Iowa State — 7 (off), 0 (def); Week 3 vs. Pitt — 10 (off), 7 (def); week 4 vs. North Texas — 7 (off), 0 (def); Week 5 vs. Wisconsin — 3 (off), 0 (def); Week 6 vs. Illinois — 3 (off), 0 (def); Week 7 vs. Northwestern — 0 (off), 0 (def); Week 8 vs. Maryland — 7 (off), 0 (def); Week 9 vs. Indiana — 7 (off), 0 (def); Week 10 vs. Minnesota — 7 (off), 7 (def); Week 11 vs. Purdue — 0 (off), 3 (def); Week 12 vs. Nebraska — 0 (off), 6 (def)

The takeaway: Yes, the defense allowing six isn't optimum, but the Huskers did have first down at Iowa's 25 with two chances to score and only came up with a FG before halftime. Another Drew Brown FG made it a one-score game at 28-20 with 1:17 left, but Krieger Coble cleanly fielded an onside kick and that was that.

This was the year where you thought Iowa probably would be OK and field the onside kick. It hasn't always felt that way.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com