Iowa Football vs. Nebraska: Live Score Updates, Highlights, Analysis (November 29, 2024)

IOWA CITY – Drew Stevens redeemed himself against Nebraska.

A year after sitting on the bench at halftime against the Huskers, Stevens kicked a 53-yard field goal as time expired to lift Iowa (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) to a 13-10 victory over Nebraska (6-6, 3-6).

Defensive lineman Max Llewellyn set up the game-winning chance with a strip sack at the Nebraska 36 with 20 seconds left.

However, Stevens and Llewellyn were far from the only heroes in the Hawkeyes’ comeback win.

In a season full of breathtaking plays, Iowa’s star running back Kaleb Johnson broke five tackles on a 72-yard catch-and-run that tied the game and gave the Hawkeyes momentum on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Early in the second half, Iowa defensive back John Nestor blocked a deflected punt at the Nebraska 4-yard line. That turnover eventually led to a 20-yard field goal by Stevens – Iowa’s first points of the game, cutting Nebraska’s lead to 10-3.

Iowa overcame an uninspiring first half offensively, amassing just 20 total yards before halftime. The Hawkeyes were averaging less than 1 yard per carry at that point, and quarterback Jackson Stratton was also struggling.

(Stratton finished 8 of 15 for 115 yards, but 72 of those yards can be attributed to Johnson’s after-the-catch magic early in the fourth quarter.)

But Iowa’s defense didn’t give up any points in the second half, opening the door for the Hawkeyes’ second-half comeback.

Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola went 22 of 32 for 190 yards against Iowa’s sophomore, who was again without starting defender Jermari Harris.

The Huskers also racked up 144 rushing yards, albeit at a not particularly efficient clip of 3.3 yards per carry. Emmett Johnson led the Huskers with 71 rushing yards.

It was the seventh straight game between Iowa and Nebraska decided by one possession. Iowa won all but one of those games.

With Friday’s win, the Hawkeyes have won at least eight games in each of the last nine full seasons (except the shortened 2020 season).

Stevens was benched last year against the Huskers after missing two field goals. Marshall Meeder made the game-winning kick after Nebraska lost the ball.

Iowa will seek its ninth win of 2024 in its yet-to-be-announced bowl game. The Hawkeyes will learn their bowl fate — most predictions point to the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa — on Dec. 8.

– John Steppe