Nebraska vs. Iowa game report: Numbers and notes from Hawkeyes’ 13-10 win

Drew Stevens was pulled from attempting the game-winning field goal last season, but not on Friday night.

A closer look at Iowa’s 13-10 win Saturday night over Nebraska at Kinnick Stadium. Max Llewellyn’s sack led to Drew Stevens’ game-winning field goal as the Hawkeyes rallied to win the Heroes Game.

Turning Point: Llewellyn’s sack and fumble recovery leads to Stevens’ field goal

It was a very cold and very blue afternoon for Iowa most of the way. Nebraska led at halftime, 10-0, with the Hawkeyes mustering just 20 yards of offense.

But a botched Nebraska punt in the third quarter allowed Iowa to take possession at the Cornhuskers 4-yard line. The Hawkeyes couldn’t capitalize with a touchdown, but Stevens kicked a 20-yard field goal to make the game 10-3 with 4:30 left.

Kaleb Johnson’s electric 72-yard touchdown on a swing pass tied the score for Iowa on the first play of the fourth quarter, after Stevens added the extra point. It looked like overtime would be imminent as time ticked down and neither team threatened offensively.

But Iowa defensive lineman Max Llewellyn got to Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola with pressure in the final minute, stripping Raiola of the ball on a sack and recovering it at the Cornhuskers’ 36-yard line with 20 seconds left.

A pair of runs took the ball exactly 1 yard to the Nebraska 35, and Iowa called its final timeout. Stevens came in for a 53-yard field goal attempt from the right hashmark, turning his kick just inside the right upright for the victory.

Stevens was pulled from last season’s game against Nebraska after having two field goals blocked, and Marshall Meeder kicked a 38-yard field goal to give Iowa a (wait for it) 13-10 victory.

By the numbers: Nebraska at Iowa

1 — First downs for Iowa in the first half

20 — Yards for Iowa in the first half

20 — Plays in the first half for Iowa.

47 — Plays in the first half for Nebraska.

164— Yards in the game for Iowa

182— Yards in the first half for Nebraska

334— Yard in the game for Nebraska

Iowa Football Notebook

*Iowa wore all-black uniforms for Friday night’s game. The school asked fans to wear the color for a “Blackout” event.

*Iowa has won nine of the last 10 Heroes Games. The last seven were decided by seven points or less.

*The Hawkeyes have now won 21 of their last 24 games in November, dating back to 2019.

* It was 64 degrees on Friday in LaJolla, California, hometown of Iowa quarterback Jackson Stratton. The halftime temperature Friday night at Kinnick Stadium was 13 degrees, with a wind chill of 3 degrees.

* A fan in the south end zone held up a sign in the first half that read “Fire Mike McCarthy.”

Iowa football injury report

Iowa’s pregame injury report contained a surprise. More of a surprise that wasn’t in it.

That would be quarterback Brendan Sullivan, who has been out since suffering an ankle injury three weeks ago in a game at UCLA. Sullivan was not among the six Hawkeyes players listed as “Out” against Nebraska.

Quarterback Cade McNamara (concussion) was listed as out of the game, along with cornerback Jermari Harris, linebacker Karson Sharar, defensive lineman Brian Allen Jr., offensive lineman Gennings Dunker and wide receiver Reece Vander Zee.

It was the second consecutive game that Dunker, who has been a starter all season, missed. There has been speculation that Harris, who went through the Senior Day pregame ceremonies, opted out of the remainder of the season due to lingering injuries and to recover for workouts in preparation for the spring NFL Draft.

Defensive lineman Yahya Black appeared to injure his left knee on the third play of the second half. He ran off the field and went to the medical tent, then returned to the game.

Wide receiver Jacob Gill left the game and did not return after injuring his leg on a catch late in the third quarter.

Iowa’s next game

It will be a bowling game somewhere against someone.

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