Friday’s Iowa-Nebraska tilt in Lincoln was destined to be a slog.
Sportsbooks put the game down for the lowest over-under total in college football history at 24.5 points. And the matchup lived up (or down) to that expectation with the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers combining to score 23 points in a 13–10 victory for Iowa.
Two fans in attendance wore sweatshirts that indicated exactly what was in store.
#GoHawks 🟡⚫️ pic.twitter.com/T17tqREI0f
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) November 24, 2023
The tone was set early on with Iowa grinding out a 12-play drive that only gained 37 yards. Nebraska fumbled the subsequent punt, giving the Hawkeyes a red zone opportunity. Iowa couldn’t score a touchdown, but a 25-yard field goal was negated by a delay of game penalty.
On the next play, a 30-yard attempt was blocked.
IOWA TAKES A DELAY OF GAME AND THEN THE FIELD GOAL IS BLOCKED LOOOOOOOOOOL pic.twitter.com/IFHNLLZLOz
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 24, 2023
The failed effort was forecast by a misfire from Herky the Hawk’s t-shirt cannon.
Iowa is about to kick and field goal and this was played on the big screen. Incredible. #Huskers pic.twitter.com/Lr43vF7isV
— Avarie Howard (@avariehoward31) November 24, 2023
Iowa and Nebraska eventually traded touchdowns and looked as if they could threaten the over-under. But in the third quarter, the two teams settled back into offensive ineptitude with several drives ending with punts.
The European mind cannot fathom this pic.twitter.com/lbVLJ2hBas
— Three Year Letterman (@3YearLetterman) November 24, 2023
However, the final minute of the game was unexpectedly thrilling. With the score tied 10–10, Hawkeyes quarterback Deacon Hill threw an interception that gave Nebraska an opportunity to move into field goal range for the win. But the Cornhuskers’ Chubba Purdy was intercepted with 15 seconds remaining at Nebraska’s 37-yard line.
Iowa landed the decisive blow on a 22-yard run by Leshon Williams that put the offense in position for the game-winning field goal. Coach Kirk Ferentz added a bit more suspense by sending Marshall Meeder for his first attempt of the season. The senior hit the kick and let the viewing audience move on with the rest of their day.
Yet even after the game was over, many people on social media felt the need to share the agony and hilarity of what they just witnessed from Lincoln.
Iowa beats Nebraska 13-10 on a walkoff FG with a backup kicker's first attempt of the season.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 24, 2023
The 24.5 over/under, the lowest in CFB history, hits the under.
The Big Ten West is dead. Long live the Big Ten West.
I can’t stop yelling at the TV for this Iowa-Nebraska game and I can’t stop watching. I can’t tell if this is the worst or the best thing I’ve ever watched 😂
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) November 24, 2023
*the NFL tries to take over Black Friday*
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 24, 2023
*Iowa-Nebraska reminds us that will never happen*
You have witnessed both an Iowa instant classic *and* a Nebraska instant classic.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 24, 2023
there may never be a funnier football game played than 2023 Nebraska/Iowa
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) November 24, 2023
I’d sign up right now to call every Iowa/Nebraska Black Friday game for the rest of my life.
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) November 24, 2023
Same sport. pic.twitter.com/kDYs5yQZJw
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) November 24, 2023
The most big ten west game ever I am gonna miss it so much
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) November 24, 2023
