(Lincoln) The University of Iowa football team defeated Nebraska 40-16 on Friday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska struck first with a four-play 90-yard drive aided by Johnson’s 70-yard run. The tailback polished off the drive with a one-yard score to put the Huskers on top 7-0.
Iowa wasted no time seizing momentum. Their next possession began deep in Nebraska territory at the 29-yard line, thanks to a 51-yard kickoff return from Kaden Wetjen and a costly facemask penalty. The Hawkeyes capitalized immediately, with Drew Stevens drilling a 41-yard field goal to close the gap to 7-3.
After forcing a Nebraska punt, Iowa struck again. It took only three plays to cover 51 yards before Marco Gronowski found former Kuemper standout DJ Vonnahme streaking up the sideline for a 35-yard touchdown, putting the Hawkeyes on top 10-7.
Nebraska responded with a methodical 11-play, 62-yard drive that lasted 4:22 and ended in a 31-yard field goal, tying the game at 10–10. Moments later, the Huskers’ special team unit created an opportunity of their own, pinning Iowa at its own 26-yard line after a short kickoff attempt. But Iowa’s defense held firm, limiting Nebraska to another field goal with 13:53 left in the second quarter, giving the Huskers a 13-10 advantage.
The Hawkeyes answered, sustaining a balanced 75-yard march over 10 plays. Iowa punched in a 3-yard touchdown rush from Kamari Moulton with 8:13 remaining in the half. Nebraska trimmed the deficit again (17-16) with 2:53 left in the second quarter, converting a 35-yard field goal to close out a 10-play, 56-yard drive.
But Iowa had one more statement to make before the break. With just 37 on the clock, Gronowski capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard quarterback sneak, sending the Hawkeyes into halftime leading 24-16.
The Hawkeyes rolled in the second half, holding the Huskers scoreless.
Karson Sharar forced a fumble on a Huskers punt return, and although the ball rolled into the end zone where Nebraska recovered it, the result was an Iowa safety that stretched the lead further. Gronowski found the end zone again, this time on a 6-yard rush up the middle with 4:47 left in the third quarter, and a 33-16 lead.
Iowa continued to pull away in the fourth. With 13:40 remaining, the Hawkeyes assembled a nine-play, 63-yard drive capped by another 1-yard touchdown run from Moulton. That play was set up by Reece Vander Zee’s sensational one-handed grab just shy of the goal line.
Nebraska threatened to close the gap, reaching the Iowa 1-yard line, but a costly fumble handed the ball back to the Hawkeyes—an opportunity they used to drain the remaining clock and seal the victory, 40-16.
The Hawkeyes outgained the Huskers in total yardage, 379-300, and held Nebraska to 69 yards passing. Mark Gronowski completed nine of 16 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. He added 64 yards on the ground and two scores with his legs. Kamari Moulton led the way on the ground, scoring twice and recording 93 yards on 18 attempts. DJ Vonnahme caught three passes for 91 yards and a score.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes were led by Rashad Godfrey Jr., who had nine tackles (six solo), and Jayden Montgomery with seven tackles. Zach Lutmer had a tackle for loss, and Godfrey and Karson Sharar each forced a fumble.
Drew Stevens was 1-for-1, connecting on a 41-yard field goal. Kaden Wetjen had two kickoff returns for 71 yards.
Iowa finished the regular season 8-4 (6-3 Big Ten) and awaits its postseason bowl game.
