The Iowa Hawkeyes dropped the regular season finale against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, falling 24-17 despite a frantic second half rally. Ultimately, the Hawks just dug themselves too deep a canyon to climb out of.
“We didn’t do the things you have to do to be successful. Credit our opponent, they did. So it’s to their credit. Can’t say how proud I am of our guys. They’ve been consistent all the way through the season, given great effort. Never gave up tonight. They fought really hard, especially in that second half. So proud of that.
“I think the reality is we just made the hill a little bit too high to climb, and part of that was self-inflicted, and that’s always tough. Any time you struggle with penalties, you struggle with the turnovers, and give up a big play, those are things we really take pride in doing well and didn’t do that tonight. So that is certainly disappointing,” Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said afterwards.
What are 10 key takeaways from Nebraska’s win?
Iowa coughed up the Big Ten West
Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
It’s the biggest takeaway from this frustrating loss. After a 3-4 start had fans thinking this season might turn into outright failure, Iowa rattled off four straight wins to work itself into control-your-own destiny mode in the Big Ten West. All Iowa needed to do was beat Nebraska and the Hawks were headed back to the Big Ten Championship game. Sadly, the Hawkeyes quite literally fumbled that opportunity away.
Nebraska finally has the Heroes Trophy back
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Well, it was a heck of a run wasn’t it? Iowa topped Nebraska seven times in a row before Friday. The Huskers finally have the Heroes Trophy back after beating Iowa for the first time since a 37-34 overtime loss back in 2014.
The Hawkeyes’ run of 14 straight wins in November is gone, so-gone, too
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