Iowa vs. Nebraska score: Aided by late clock mishap, Hawkeyes hit game-winning field goal with backup kicker

The stunning end of a defensive slugfest will be talked about in this rivalry for years to come

No. 17 Iowa closed its 2023 regular season with a wild 13-10 win against Big Ten West rival Nebraska. The Hawkeyes secured their second 10-win season of the past three years thanks to a game-winning 38-yard field goal from backup kicker Marshall Meeder. It was a kick that he probably shouldn't have had time to attempt at all. 

The Hawkeyes were assisted by a major clock error during a Cornhuskers possession with 1:22 remaining. Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy completed a short pass to tight end Thomas Fidone, who went down in bounds. The game clock was frozen for the entire play and did not start ticking again until officials set the ball, a process that took 12 seconds. Nebraska then ran its next play with 1:16 left on the clock.

The Cornhuskers' drive stalled shortly thereafter, giving the Hawkeyes the ball back with 55 seconds remaining. A bizarre pair of nearly back-to-back interceptions -- first from Hawkeyes QB Deacon Hill and then from Purdy -- ultimately put Iowa in position to win with four seconds remaining ... four seconds it likely shouldn't have had. 

That game-winning kick happened to be Meeder's first field goal attempt all season. Iowa's usual kicker, Drew Stevens, had two field goals blocked and booted two kickoffs out of bounds earlier in the game. To add to his unexpected heroics, Meeder transferred to Iowa from Central Michigan in the offseason. He made just five of his 11 field goal attempts with the Chippewas in 2022, finishing below 50% in his last full season as a starting kicker.

"He's (Meeder) done a really good job in practice," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said during his postgame interview on CBS. "He's been very consistent and I just felt like, you know, he had the best chance today."  

Iowa now turns its attention to the Big Ten Championship Game against either Michigan or Ohio State. 

Nebraska, which will finish 5-7 in its first year under Matt Rhule, had plenty of chances to possibly win the game and attain bowl eligibility.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:38 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Record-low over/under cashes 

Iowa's walk-off win against Nebraska featured a record-low over/under of 24.5 points for an FBS game, and that's just the start of the fun. It marked the fourth game involving Iowa this season featuring an over/under that either tied or set the record low, and on top of that, the under hit all four times. Three of those games involving the Hawkeyes came within the final four weeks of the regular season, and they won all three of those. It makes it all the more wondrous that Iowa, despite its offensive struggles in 2023, managed to win 10 games. And technically, 12 wins are still on the table if the Hawkeyes can manage to upset either Ohio State or Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game, followed by a to-be-determined bowl. 

Iowa vs. Nebraska game cashes lowest under in college football history as Hawkeyes avoid upset

Dean Straka

[Nov 24, 2023 at 3:21 pm ET · Will Backus]

Nebraska can walk it off

Iowa tried to go for a big play to set up a game-winning scenario, but it backfired. Deacon Hill's third-and-12 pass was intercepted by Tommi Hill, who returned it to the Hawkeyes' 45-yard line. However, the Huskers were called for holding on the return. That backed the ball up to Nebraska's 45-yard line. The Huskers can walk it off with a field goal. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 3:01 pm ET · Will Backus]

Nebraska misses its chance

Mid 4Q: No. 17 Iowa 10, Nebraska 10 

Nebraska just had a methodical 10-play drive that started on Iowa's 50-yard line, converting on two third downs from 5-plus yards in the process, that ended in zero points. The Huskers got the ball to Iowa's 26-yard line in that span, where kicker Tristan Alvano took the field to attempt his second 44-yard field goal. His kick went way wide to the left. Now the Hawkeyes take over with five minutes to play and a chance to take a late lead. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 2:43 pm ET · Will Backus]

Nebraska can't capitalize 

Nebraska opened the fourth quarter with the ball on Iowa's 49-yard line, with a prime opportunity to get into field goal range and take a crucial 13-10 lead. However, the Huskers were held to just seven yards in two plays and, after initially lining up to attempt a very long field goal, Nebraska elected to punt on fourth-and-4 in plus territory. Luckily, it was the best punt of the entire game. Brian Buschini booted it 41 yards all the way to Iowa's 1-yard line, where a Huskers gunner downed the ball before it could roll into the end zone. Iowa has to go 99 yards to take a lead. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 2:35 pm ET · Will Backus]

All tied up after three

End 3Q: No. 17 Iowa 10, Nebraska 10 

Not much of note happened in the third quarter outside of Nebraska's 44-yard field goal to tie things up. Otherwise, the two teams traded empty possessions and punts. Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill took a big hit and looked like he might have hurt his midsection, but he was able to walk off the field and looked okay on the sidelines. This game is set to come down to the wire and, as has been the case all day, whichever team can avoid a back-breaking mistake likely takes this one. 

Nebraska is driving to start the fourth quarter. The Huskers will have the ball on Iowa's 49-yard line when play commences, facing a second-and-11. Kicker Tristan Alvano has a decent leg, so Nebraska doesn't need a ton of yardage to get within scoring distance. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 2:20 pm ET · Will Backus]

Nebraska ties things up

Mid 3Q: No. 17 Iowa 10, Nebraska 10 

With bowl eligibility on the line, Nebraska is keeping this one interesting. The Huskers just tied the game, courtesy of a 44-yard field goal from kicker Tristan Alvano with 6:18 left in the third quarter. Alvano's kicked capped a 10-play, 43-yard drive that took 4:23 off the clock. Key to that drive was a 25-yard connection between quarterback Chubba Purdy and wide receiver Josh Fleeks on third-and-11 to keep Nebraska's scoring hopes alive. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 2:14 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iowa could be down key players

Iowa's starting right tackle Gennings Dunker and wide receiver Kaleb Brown, who leads the Hawkeyes in receptions with three for 21 yards, are both questionable to return to Saturday's game, according to the CBS broadcast. Losing those two could make things harder on an Iowa offense that's already struggling to finish drives. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 2:02 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iowa's special teams having off day

Iowa is having an uncharacteristic day on special teams. Two field goals have been blocked, and the Hawkeyes opened the second half with their second free kick out of bounds. That means Nebraska started its first drive on its own 35-yard line as opposed to the 25. That's a 10-yard swing in a game when yards come at a premium. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 1:39 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iowa up after two

Half: No. 17 Iowa 10, Nebraska 7

Both offenses are struggling in unique ways thus far. Iowa is actually stringing together some nice drives. In fact, the Hawkeyes had four straight drives to close the first half (not counting its kneel to kill the clock at the end of the second quarter) that ended deep in Nebraska territory. Iowa was able to cash in a touchdown and a field goal on two of those drives, but the other two resulted in blocked field goals -- meaning the Hawkeyes left six points and a two-possession lead on the board thanks to huge mistakes on rather routine plays. 

On the other hand, Nebraska is struggling to consistently move the ball, but the Huskers are making the most of their opportunities. Early in the second quarter, freshman receiver Jaylen Lloyd put a nice move on Iowa's slot cornerback and raced wide open into the Hawkeyes' secondary. Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy didn't miss, hitting Lloyd in stride for a 66-yard touchdown. Outside of that, the Huskers crossed midfield just once through the first 30 minutes. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 1:32 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iowa special teams comes up short ... again

Just as it starts to look like this one might evolve into a shootout, Iowa's special teams are making sure everyone's expectations remain measured. The Hawkeyes got the ball inside Nebraska's 10-yard line with a 53-yard run from Leshon Williams. A couple of plays later, wide receiver Kaleb Brown dropped a would-be touchdown pass from Deacon Hill, and Iowa brought the field goal unit out for a 24-yard try. Kicker Drew Stevens's attempt was blocked for a second time today. He recovered the block and Nebraska corralled him well behind the line of scrimmage, giving its offense a chance to tie things up before halftime. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 1:21 pm ET · Will Backus]

Nebraska wakes up

Late 2Q: No. 17 Iowa 10, Nebraska 7 

Turns out Nebraska's offense did come to play -- it just took a while to shake off post-Thanksgiving grogginess. With this game on the precipice of getting out of hand (read: Iowa took a two-possession lead and looked to lean on its defense), Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy hit freshman wide receiver Jaylen Lloyd in stride for a 66-yard touchdown. All Lloyd had to do was put one move on the slot cornerback before letting his speed take over on the deep post. It is the longest play that Iowa's defense has given up all season. The Huskers are right back in this one and more importantly -- to some people -- the under is now in serious jeopardy with a few minutes still remaining in the first half. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 1:14 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iowa settles for field goal

Mid 2Q: No. 17 Iowa 10, Nebraska 0

Iowa is happy to get a two-possession lead through any means available. The Hawkeyes took over at Nebraska's 44-yard line after recovering Husker quarterback Chubba Purdy's fumble. Iowa then embarked on a 12-play drive, converting on fourth-and-1 thanks to a QB sneak from Decaon Hill, to work the ball to Nebraska's 10. Iowa's drive stalled there and the Hawkeyes opted to run the ball on third-and-9, preserving the possibility of a short field goal. Kicker Drew Stevens hit from 28 yards out to extend his team's lead and get points off a turnover. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 1:03 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iowa defense doing its thing

Nebraska just committed another turnover. In other news, fire is hot and the sky is still blue. Looking to answer Iowa's touchdown drive, Nebraska looked like it was establishing some offensive rhythm after a 22-yard completion to Alex Bullock. But on the very next play, Huskers quarterback Chubba Purdy flittered around the pocket before scrambling to the right, where Iowa's Sebastian Castro met him and forced a fumble. The Hawkeyes jumped on the lose ball and took over in plus territory. It's Nebraska's 30th total fumbled of the year and 15th lost fumble.  

[Nov 24, 2023 at 12:54 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iowa opens the scoring 

Early 2Q: No. 17 Iowa 7, Nebraska 0

We finally have points in this one. Iowa actually opened things up with a bang, as quarterback Deacon Hill was able to score a touchdown on a 1-yard QB sneak early in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes had prime field position to start their scoring drive, as a Nebraska personal foul penalty put the ball at Iowa's 49-yard line. On the first play of the second quarter, Hill hit tight end Steven Stilianos on a bootleg pass. Stilianos raced down the sideline for 37 yards to Nebraska's 1-yard line before he was finally pushed out by a defender. That's the longest play of the day thus far.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 12:45 pm ET · Will Backus]

Perfectly on brand so far

End 1Q: No. 17 Iowa 0, Nebraska 0 

This game is unfolding exactly how everyone expected thus far. The two teams have traded four punts and combined for a total of 91 yards. Iowa had an 11-play drive that gained three first downs and still failed to reach midfield. Nebraska fumbled a punt to commit its 28th turnover and 14th lost fumble of the year, giving the Hawkeyes the ball inside the red zone. Iowa subsequently gained a penalty-adjusted five yards in five plays and had its 30-yard field goal blocked. 

Iowa has the football to start the second quarter. The Hawkeyes took over at their own 49 thanks to a late hit penalty on a punt return and moved the ball into Nebraska territory a few plays later. Though Nebraska handed the Hawkeyes an advantage, scoring -- for either team -- looks like an uphill battle. Let's see if Iowa can actually take advantage of another gift from its opponent. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 12:35 pm ET · Will Backus]

Comedy of errors

Iowa looked to be in prime position after Nebraska muffed a punt at its own 17-yard line and the Hawkeyes recovered. An 11-yard run from Kaleb Brown put Iowa just outside Nebraska's goal line. Then the Hawkeyes were called for illegal motion and couldn't make up the difference. Iowa settled for a 25-yard field goal that looked good at first, but a delay of game wiped it off the board and moved the ball back five yards. Iowa lined up to try another field goal that was subsequently blocked by the Huskers, keeping the game tied at 0-0 with just over two minutes to play in the first quarter. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 12:19 pm ET · Will Backus]

Trading empty possessions

As one might expect in a game of this nature, neither team was able to produce much with their first offensive drives. Iowa went three-and-out, gaining one yard in three plays before punting the ball away. Nebraska fared slightly better, converting a third-and-2 with a 6-yard run, but things stalled around Iowa's 46-yard line. The Hawkeyes will get the ball at their own 10 after the defensive stand. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 12:11 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iowa set to get things started

The Hawkeyes will get the ball first in Lincoln. For a struggling Iowa offense, getting some points on the board on the first drive -- especially in a hostile environment -- would be a huge boon. It won't be easy against a Nebraska defense that has seen a resurgence under new coach Matt Rhule and his staff. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 11:30 am ET · Jerry Palm]

Don't expect any holiday weekend fireworks 

Oddsmakers have finally come up with a total on an Iowa game that has tempted me to go with the over. Psych! I am not deterred, even though the Iowa-Illinois game went over this number last week. Never underestimate the Hawkeyes' ability to get an under.  They are college football's limbo champions. Nebraska needs this for bowl eligibility and is actually the favorite. Pick: Under 26

College football picks, predictions, odds: Ohio State-Michigan, Oregon-Oregon State among best bets in Week 13

Jerry Palm

[Nov 24, 2023 at 11:00 am ET · Will Backus]

ICYMI: A look back at Iowa's path to Big Ten West title 

The Hawkeyes have faced as much adversity as any team this season. Starting quarterback Cade McNamara suffered a season-ending knee injury against Michigan State, just five games into the year. Tight end Erick All, who is still Iowa's leading receiver, tore his ACL in mid-October. 

Then, in the week leading up to the Illinois game, it was revealed that star defensive back/punt return specialist Cooper DeJean -- a potential first-round prospect in the NFL Draft -- suffered a season-ending injury in practice. Those injuries alone would be too much for most teams to overcome, but the Hawkeyes have also seen multiple running backs and wide receivers miss time through the course of the year. 

On top of the injury bug, Iowa is playing with one major assistant that won't be back after this year. The Hawkeyes announced Oct. 30 that offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, coach Kirk Ferentz's son, will not return to Iowa's staff in 2024. He will finish the 2023 season in his current role. It was his offense, with a first-year starting quarterback and a beleaguered group of playmakers, that willed Iowa to victory late in the fourth quarter against Illinois. 

Iowa clinches Big Ten Championship Game spot with win over Illinois, will face Michigan-Ohio State winner

Will Backus

[Nov 24, 2023 at 10:29 am ET · Will Backus]

Two teams with different outlooks 

Nebraska is seeking its sixth win to secure bowl eligibility. The Huskers have been looking for that sixth win for three weeks now. If you haven't been paying attention, Nebraska has found some very creative ways to lose. Against Michigan State, it had two chances in the final three minutes to either tie or win the game. On the first drive, the Huskers fumbled; on the next, they managed exactly 1 yard in three plays before time ran out. Against Maryland, quarterback Chubba Purdy threw a game-sealing interception from the Terps' 7-yard line. Then, in overtime against Wisconsin last week, the Badgers scored a touchdown and Nebraska threw an interception. 

Then you have Iowa, which keeps winning in spite of its circumstances. The Hawkeyes have an injury list a mile long: Their starting quarterback, leading receiver and potential first-round cornerback are all out for the year. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz was informed in October that he wouldn't be retained after the 2023 season. Yet, the Hawkeyes are 9-2 and have already locked down a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. It just seems like a guarantee that the Hawkeyes will find a way to close the season with a victory.  Prediction: Iowa ML (+110)

College football predictions, picks, odds: Oregon-Oregon State, Iowa-Nebraska leads Week 13 value plays

Will Backus