Football Pressing Questions: Malachi Coleman, Thomas Fidone, Donnie Raiola vs. Luke Fickell, Nebraska portal entries
- Insider's Board
- 6 Replies
Three pressing questions for Matt Rhule today on:
>> Malachi Coleman and the # of Nebraska's expected entries into the transfer portal.
>> Thomas Fidone's rare lack of usage vs. Wisconsin (not everyone was happy about Nebraska posting a season-high in points and winning 44-25).
>> Donovan Raiola's exchange with Luke Fickell and/or Casey Rabach after the game.
nebraska.rivals.com
>> Malachi Coleman and the # of Nebraska's expected entries into the transfer portal.
>> Thomas Fidone's rare lack of usage vs. Wisconsin (not everyone was happy about Nebraska posting a season-high in points and winning 44-25).
>> Donovan Raiola's exchange with Luke Fickell and/or Casey Rabach after the game.
Pressing Questions: Malachi, Fidone, Donnie Raiola, Nebraska portal entries
Three pressing questions for Matt Rhule on Malachi Coleman, Thomas Fidone, Donovan Raiola heated exchange vs Wisconsin.
Where are they now: Top 12 WRs 2020 class (SarasotaHusker tribute)
- By sklarbodds
- Insider's Board
- 14 Replies
Based off the Malachi Coleman news and some posters ranting about the reliability of WR recruits, I thought it would be fun to do a tribute to my old friend @SarasotaHusker
Enjoy...the top 12 recruits of the 2020 class.
#14 overall / #1 WR - Julian Fleming (5★)
Initially committed to Ohio State, he struggled to stay healthy. Didn't do much as a freshman or sophomore, but in his 3rd year had a solid output with 34 receptions and 533 yards.
He entered the portal and transferred to PSU where this year as a senior he has 13 catches for 171 yards despite playing in every game this season, including 1 catch for 4 yards against his former team. His total career output is 92 catches for 1134 yards.
#15 overall, #2 WR - Demond Demas (5★)
Initially committed to Texas A&M, Demond had a minimal impact for first two seasons hauling in a combined 15 catches for 253. He then had some legal troubles (family/domestic assault) and sat out the 2022 season.
Now with Garden City CC, he's trying to rebuild his life and his career where he has 29 catches for 329 yards.
#19 overall, #3 WR - Rakim Jarrett (5★)
Signed with Maryland and started 4 games his freshman season with 17 catches for 252 yards. Exploded his RSFr year with 62 catches for 829 yards and a slightly quieter RSSo season with 40 catches for 471 yards. He was 3x honorable mention All B1G and got some nominations for a few awards including Biletnikoff.
He entered the draft after his Sophomore year and is now in the NFL where he caught on as a undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has 7 catches for 107 yards.
#20 overall, #4 WR - Jaxon Smith-Njigba (5★)
Definitely one of the biggest success stories on the list. After a relatively quiet freshman year, JSN was electric as a Sophomore hauling in 86 catches for 1,449 yards and 7 TDs. Hamstring issues derailed his Junior season playing in only 3 games and he felt he rushed himself back too quickly and didn't give himself time to heal.
Jaxon went #20 overall to the Seattle Seahawks and is a featured WR where he has had 129 receptions for 1,383 yards.
#28 overall, #5 WR Jordan Johnson (5★)
Another one who's definitely had some struggles, Jordan initially signed with Notre Dame but did not play and there were tons of questions about his work ethic and maintaining grades in the classroom.
The following year he transferred to UCF and for two seasons I couldn't find any stats for him and barely any articles written.
The following year entered the transfer portal again without any suitors so he landed at Iowa Western CC. The 2023 season he had 20 receptions for 305 yards.
I could not find any information for the 2024 season and it seems he is out of football.
#35 overall, #6 WR Kayshon Boutte (4★)
Another success story, Kayshon committed to LSU out of high school and was great his freshman season with 45 catches for 735 yards and 5 TDs. He started for LSU all 3 seasons with the Tigers and finished his college career with 131 receptions and 1,781 yards over 3 seasons.
Drafted in the 6th round by the New England Patriots, he had a quiet rookie season with just two catches but has 22 catches and 289 yards this season.
#46 overall, #7 WR Gary Bryant (4★)
Initially signed with USC, Gary had a quiet freshman season with just 7 catches for 51 yards in 5 games. As a Sophomore he exploded as a deep ball threat for 44 receptions for 579 yards and 7 TDs and over 13 yards per catch.
Lincoln Riley was hired and Gary saw his playing time plummet, catching just 2 balls for 15 yards his 3rd season (redshirt).
He entered the transfer portal and landed with the Oregon Ducks where he had a decent season hauling in 30 catches for 442 yards. This season he has missed the first 9 games with an undisclosed injury and now has 1 catch.
Because of his covid year, Oregon lists him as a junior and possibly could have a medical redshirt this year too giving him 2 more seasons with the Ducks.
#50 overall, #8 WR EJ Williams (4★)
A moderate contributor at Clemson, EJ had 40 catches for 442 yards over 3 seasons (20, 21, 22). He entered the transfer portal and landed at Indiana where he had 23 catches for 281 yards in 23. This season, he only appeared in 3 games and had 2 catches for 49 yards.
He then goes to X and calls out his coach, saying:
"I’m not on the team anymore because I opted to get surgery to have a better opportunity to compete at playing time, to be 100% healthy, and help contribute to a great football team next year,” Williams posted. “I made this decision because the team was perfectly fine without me in the game and I also want to have a chance at being able to continue my career at the professional level.
While making this decision, my coach saw it as quitting on the team, so if I was to redshirt I wouldn’t be able to come back to the program next season. I completely understand and respected his decision as he respected mine. It’s no hard feelings or bad blood. I appreciate the entire staff here at IU for everything while I was apart of the program and wish my teammates the best as they continue to compete and dominate this season."
I don't know if a guy with less than 800 career yards is a hot commodity for NFL teams, but he'll be in the portal and it will be interesting to see where he lands.
#53 overall, #9 WR Joshua Downs (4★)
Another success story, after a quiet freshman year with the Tarheels, Downs was electric his sophomore and junior campaigns racking up almost 2,400 yards on 195 catches in 2 seasons and 19 TDs.
Josh is currently with the Indianapolis Colts where he has 121 catches and 1,365 yards over two seasons despite missing a couple games with injuries.
#56 overall, #10 WR Malachi Wideman (4★)
Originally committed to Florida State, Malachi was a signing day flip to Tennessee. His only season with the Vols he had 1 catch for 24 yards and quickly entered the transfer portal to Jackson State to play for Deion.
He had a pretty successful second season with Jackson State, hauling in 34 catches for 540 yards. However, the following year he only played in half the games and only had 3 catches.
Despite limited success at a lower level, Malachi made the brilliant decision to enter the NFL Supplemental draft. As a surprise to no one, he was not drafted and then spent a season with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL. He then signed the following year with the Calgary Stampeders but was placed on the suspended list last May.
No further news has been found.
#57 overall, #11 WR Gee Scott Jr. (4★)
After not playing his freshman year at Ohio State, he made the move to tight end. His first 4 seasons with Ohio State featured modest playing time with 36 appearances and 3 starts. He hauled in 20 catches for 140 yards over that span. He is now the starting tight end after their Oregon transfer went down and he has 14 receptions for 144 yards and he is considered a very capable blocker.
Outside of football, Gee is a model teammate and leader for the Buckeyes. He graduated in just 3 years and also is essentially considered the team's minister and baptizes team members who want to follow Christ. He wants to be a full time pastor when his playing career is done.
sportsspectrum.com
#59 overall, #12 WR Zavier Betts (4★)
And here we are...we all know this story. Definitely showing some promise at times on the field, Zavier racked up 32 catches for 417 yards in his short two years with the program.
Initially leaving the team for the 2022 season and being arrested for possession in October of 2022, Betts worked really hard in the classroom taking 21 credit hours over spring and summer classes to rejoin the team. Poised to be one of the key receivers on the team, Betts abruptly went to the coach just before the start of the season and told him his heart wasn't in it and he no longer wanted to play football.
Clearly talented, but no longer in football. No news as to what he's been up to lately.
Enjoy...the top 12 recruits of the 2020 class.
#14 overall / #1 WR - Julian Fleming (5★)
Initially committed to Ohio State, he struggled to stay healthy. Didn't do much as a freshman or sophomore, but in his 3rd year had a solid output with 34 receptions and 533 yards.
He entered the portal and transferred to PSU where this year as a senior he has 13 catches for 171 yards despite playing in every game this season, including 1 catch for 4 yards against his former team. His total career output is 92 catches for 1134 yards.
#15 overall, #2 WR - Demond Demas (5★)
Initially committed to Texas A&M, Demond had a minimal impact for first two seasons hauling in a combined 15 catches for 253. He then had some legal troubles (family/domestic assault) and sat out the 2022 season.
Now with Garden City CC, he's trying to rebuild his life and his career where he has 29 catches for 329 yards.
#19 overall, #3 WR - Rakim Jarrett (5★)
Signed with Maryland and started 4 games his freshman season with 17 catches for 252 yards. Exploded his RSFr year with 62 catches for 829 yards and a slightly quieter RSSo season with 40 catches for 471 yards. He was 3x honorable mention All B1G and got some nominations for a few awards including Biletnikoff.
He entered the draft after his Sophomore year and is now in the NFL where he caught on as a undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has 7 catches for 107 yards.
#20 overall, #4 WR - Jaxon Smith-Njigba (5★)
Definitely one of the biggest success stories on the list. After a relatively quiet freshman year, JSN was electric as a Sophomore hauling in 86 catches for 1,449 yards and 7 TDs. Hamstring issues derailed his Junior season playing in only 3 games and he felt he rushed himself back too quickly and didn't give himself time to heal.
Jaxon went #20 overall to the Seattle Seahawks and is a featured WR where he has had 129 receptions for 1,383 yards.
#28 overall, #5 WR Jordan Johnson (5★)
Another one who's definitely had some struggles, Jordan initially signed with Notre Dame but did not play and there were tons of questions about his work ethic and maintaining grades in the classroom.
The following year he transferred to UCF and for two seasons I couldn't find any stats for him and barely any articles written.
The following year entered the transfer portal again without any suitors so he landed at Iowa Western CC. The 2023 season he had 20 receptions for 305 yards.
I could not find any information for the 2024 season and it seems he is out of football.
#35 overall, #6 WR Kayshon Boutte (4★)
Another success story, Kayshon committed to LSU out of high school and was great his freshman season with 45 catches for 735 yards and 5 TDs. He started for LSU all 3 seasons with the Tigers and finished his college career with 131 receptions and 1,781 yards over 3 seasons.
Drafted in the 6th round by the New England Patriots, he had a quiet rookie season with just two catches but has 22 catches and 289 yards this season.
#46 overall, #7 WR Gary Bryant (4★)
Initially signed with USC, Gary had a quiet freshman season with just 7 catches for 51 yards in 5 games. As a Sophomore he exploded as a deep ball threat for 44 receptions for 579 yards and 7 TDs and over 13 yards per catch.
Lincoln Riley was hired and Gary saw his playing time plummet, catching just 2 balls for 15 yards his 3rd season (redshirt).
He entered the transfer portal and landed with the Oregon Ducks where he had a decent season hauling in 30 catches for 442 yards. This season he has missed the first 9 games with an undisclosed injury and now has 1 catch.
Because of his covid year, Oregon lists him as a junior and possibly could have a medical redshirt this year too giving him 2 more seasons with the Ducks.
#50 overall, #8 WR EJ Williams (4★)
A moderate contributor at Clemson, EJ had 40 catches for 442 yards over 3 seasons (20, 21, 22). He entered the transfer portal and landed at Indiana where he had 23 catches for 281 yards in 23. This season, he only appeared in 3 games and had 2 catches for 49 yards.
He then goes to X and calls out his coach, saying:
"I’m not on the team anymore because I opted to get surgery to have a better opportunity to compete at playing time, to be 100% healthy, and help contribute to a great football team next year,” Williams posted. “I made this decision because the team was perfectly fine without me in the game and I also want to have a chance at being able to continue my career at the professional level.
While making this decision, my coach saw it as quitting on the team, so if I was to redshirt I wouldn’t be able to come back to the program next season. I completely understand and respected his decision as he respected mine. It’s no hard feelings or bad blood. I appreciate the entire staff here at IU for everything while I was apart of the program and wish my teammates the best as they continue to compete and dominate this season."
I don't know if a guy with less than 800 career yards is a hot commodity for NFL teams, but he'll be in the portal and it will be interesting to see where he lands.
#53 overall, #9 WR Joshua Downs (4★)
Another success story, after a quiet freshman year with the Tarheels, Downs was electric his sophomore and junior campaigns racking up almost 2,400 yards on 195 catches in 2 seasons and 19 TDs.
Josh is currently with the Indianapolis Colts where he has 121 catches and 1,365 yards over two seasons despite missing a couple games with injuries.
#56 overall, #10 WR Malachi Wideman (4★)
Originally committed to Florida State, Malachi was a signing day flip to Tennessee. His only season with the Vols he had 1 catch for 24 yards and quickly entered the transfer portal to Jackson State to play for Deion.
He had a pretty successful second season with Jackson State, hauling in 34 catches for 540 yards. However, the following year he only played in half the games and only had 3 catches.
Despite limited success at a lower level, Malachi made the brilliant decision to enter the NFL Supplemental draft. As a surprise to no one, he was not drafted and then spent a season with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL. He then signed the following year with the Calgary Stampeders but was placed on the suspended list last May.
No further news has been found.
#57 overall, #11 WR Gee Scott Jr. (4★)
After not playing his freshman year at Ohio State, he made the move to tight end. His first 4 seasons with Ohio State featured modest playing time with 36 appearances and 3 starts. He hauled in 20 catches for 140 yards over that span. He is now the starting tight end after their Oregon transfer went down and he has 14 receptions for 144 yards and he is considered a very capable blocker.
Outside of football, Gee is a model teammate and leader for the Buckeyes. He graduated in just 3 years and also is essentially considered the team's minister and baptizes team members who want to follow Christ. He wants to be a full time pastor when his playing career is done.
OSU's Gee Scott preaches, baptizes teammates: 'Christ is working'
Ohio State tight end Gee Scott baptized seven of his teammates after delivering a sermon at a church, fulfilling a vision he was given.
sportsspectrum.com
#59 overall, #12 WR Zavier Betts (4★)
And here we are...we all know this story. Definitely showing some promise at times on the field, Zavier racked up 32 catches for 417 yards in his short two years with the program.
Initially leaving the team for the 2022 season and being arrested for possession in October of 2022, Betts worked really hard in the classroom taking 21 credit hours over spring and summer classes to rejoin the team. Poised to be one of the key receivers on the team, Betts abruptly went to the coach just before the start of the season and told him his heart wasn't in it and he no longer wanted to play football.
Clearly talented, but no longer in football. No news as to what he's been up to lately.
-
Poll
Kind of a funny OU story....
- Husker Board
- 15 Replies
none of my kids have ever lived one minute in Nebraska but my boys have been DEEP Big Red FOOTBALL fans(oldest roots for Jayhawks in basketball...sorry!), but my
daughter is AT BEST a casual fan...and she is now in love with an OU fan(NICEST GUY EVER!!! Rooting for this relationship!!) Well, she converted to the other Red, and Saturday
we were watching the OU/Bama game at our house and she was going crazy(in fairness...she knows their roster so she's trying)...the next day, my youngest and his family comes
over for Sunday lunch, and she says " Did you see the game? Are you going to congratulate me?" and he says ' NEVER will I congratulate you on an OU win!!! I hope the lose every game!!"
I've never loved him more.....
daughter is AT BEST a casual fan...and she is now in love with an OU fan(NICEST GUY EVER!!! Rooting for this relationship!!) Well, she converted to the other Red, and Saturday
we were watching the OU/Bama game at our house and she was going crazy(in fairness...she knows their roster so she's trying)...the next day, my youngest and his family comes
over for Sunday lunch, and she says " Did you see the game? Are you going to congratulate me?" and he says ' NEVER will I congratulate you on an OU win!!! I hope the lose every game!!"
I've never loved him more.....
Basketball Registrations now open for Fred Hoiberg Basketball Camps
- By Steve Marik
- Insider's Board
- 3 Replies
Recruiting Rising 2027 QB Jameson Purcell recaps first Nebraska game day visit
- By TimVerghese
- Insider's Board
- 0 Replies
Rising 2027 QB Jameson Purcell recaps first Nebraska game day visit
2027 Park Ridge (Ill.) Maine South quarterback Jameson Purcell recaps first Nebraska visit since being offered
Football Game Notes: Nebraska at Iowa
- By Alum-Ni
- Insider's Board
- 0 Replies
Link: Full Game Notes (Huskers.com)
WHEN: Friday, November 29 | 6:30 PM (CT)
WHERE: Kinnick Stadium | Iowa City, Iowa
TV: NBC (Paul Burmeister, Colt McCoy, Zora Stephenson)
RADIO: Huskers Radio Network (Greg Sharpe, Damon Benning, Jessica Coody)
HUSKERS
Record: 6-5 (3-5 Big Ten)
Last Game: vs. Wisconsin (W 44-25)
Streak: Won 1
Rank: NR
Coach: Matt Rhule (11-12, 2nd year NU | 58-55, 9th year overall | 0-1 vs. Iowa)
HAWKEYES
Record: 7-4 (5-3 Big Ten)
Last Game: at Maryland (W 29-13)
Streak: Won 1
Rank: NR
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (203-123, 26th season at Iowa | 215-144, 28th season overall | 9-6 vs. Nebraska)
THIS WEEK'S NUMBERS
6 - The past six meetings between Nebraska and Iowa have been decided by seven or fewer points, including three games by three points. The total margin in the past six games is 29 points.
35 - Friday's game will mark the 35th consecutive season Nebraska has played on Black Friday, including the past 14 years against Iowa. The Huskers own a 20-14 record since 1990 in Black Friday games.
44 - Nebraska's 44-point scoring effort against Wisconsin was the highest point total in two seasons under Coach Matt Rhule. It was also the most points scored by the Huskers since a 56-7 win over Northwestern in 2021, a span of 41 games.
THE MATCHUP
Nebraska completes its 2024 regular season on Friday evening by traveling to Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the schools' annual Black Friday matchup. Game time at Iowa's Kinnick Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT with NBC providing the television coverage. The contest can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network and the Huskers App.
Nebraska heads to Iowa City with momentum following a 44-25 victory over Wisconsin last Saturday afternoon in Lincoln. The victory improved the Huskers to 6-5 on the season and clinched Nebraska's first bowl trip since the 2016 season.
The Huskers used their most complete offensive effort of the season to pull away from the Badgers in the victory. Nebraska's 44 points were the most in two seasons under Matt Rhule, and the Huskers posted their second highest marks of the season in total offense (473), rushing offense (180) and passing offense (293). Defensively, the Blackshirts had two takeaways in the game and forced Wisconsin without points on three drives inside the Nebraska 25-yard line.
Iowa comes into the regular-season finale with a 7-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in Big Ten Conference play. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 29-13 victory at Maryland on Saturday, a game in which Iowa relied on its running game, rolling up 268 yards on the ground and holding the ball for more than 37 minutes of game action. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson rushed for 164 yards in the win. He ranks second in the nation in rushing yards per game. Overall, the Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten and rank 13th nationally in rushing at 213.5 yards per game. The Hawkeyes once again feature one of Big Ten's best defenses, allowing just 17.7 points per game, while leading the Big Ten in turnover margin.
SERIES HISTORY
Nebraska and Iowa are meeting for the 14th straight season as Big Ten opponents and for the 55th time overall. Nebraska owns a 30-21-3 edge in the all-time series between the schools, while the Hawkeyes own a 9-4 edge since Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference
- Iowa is the only opponent Nebraska has met in all 14 seasons as a member of the Big Ten Conference, and the Hawkeyes are the only opponent the Huskers face on an annual basis in the 18-team conference.
- The road team in the series has won the past three matchups and none of the last 12 meetings overall, including Nebraska's 24-17 win at Kinnick Stadium in 2022.
- The past six meetings have been decided by a total of 29 points. Iowa has a 5-1 record in those games, including last second field goals in 2018, 2019 and 2023.
- Nebraska rallied from a 17-point second half deficit to win in overtime at Iowa City in 2014, tying for the second-largest comeback in school history
- Prior to joining the Big Ten, Nebraska last met Iowa in 1999 and 2000, winning each of the contests
- Nebraska and Iowa met six times in non-conference play between 1979 and 2000, with the Huskers winning five of the six games. The Huskers were ranked in the top 10 in each of those six games.
- Nebraska's largest margin of victory in the series was a 57-0 win in 1980. The Huskers' longest win streak in the series was 8 straight wins between 1931 and 1941. Iowa's largest victory was a 56-14 win in 2017, and the Hawkeyes longest win streak in the series was 7 games between 2015 and 2021.
Nebraska vs. Iowa Series History
NEBRASKA, IOWA TO BATTLE FOR HEROES TROPHY
Nebraska and Iowa will battle for the Heroes Trophy when they hit the field Friday at Kinnick Stadium. The Heroes Game is the annual trophy game between Nebraska and Iowa. The game is sponsored by Pioneer.
While both teams aim to win the trophy on the field, Nebraska and Iowa wished to make their annual meeting about more than just a football game. The schools partnered to not only create a trophy, but to use their stage to honor a citizen hero from each state. In addition to the trophy claimed by the winner of the game, both an Iowa and Nebraska native will be honored for extraordinary acts. Citizen heroes from each state will be announced on Tuesday, November 26.
BIG RED ON BLACK FRIDAY
Nebraska continues its long tradition of playing on the day after Thanksgiving. This Friday's game will mark the 35th consecutive season the Huskers have played on Black Friday.
- Nebraska met Oklahoma in the final six seasons of the Big Eight Conference (1990-1995), then played Colorado in all 15 of the Huskers' Big 12 Conference years (1996-2010), before taking on Iowa in each of the 14 seasons it has been a member of the Big Ten Conference, including this year.
- Nebraska is 10-6 on the road in Black Friday games, including 3-3 at Iowa
- In addition to playing Iowa on Black Friday the past 13 seasons, Nebraska and Iowa also closed the regular season against each other nine times from 1892 to 1916.
ABOUT IOWA
Iowa has fielded a football team since 1889 and has an all-time record of 701-579-39. The Hawkeyes have claimed five national titles and 11 Big Ten titles.
The Hawkeyes have an overall bowl record of 20-18-1. Most recently, Iowa fell 35-0 to Tennessee last season in the Citrus Bowl.
First Year: 1889
All-Time Record: 701-579-39 (.546)
Bowl Record: 20-18-1
Conference Titles: 11
National Titles: 5 (1921, 1922, 1956, 1958, 1960)
Stadium: Kinnick Stadium
Capacity: 69,250
Surface: FieldTurf
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Enrollment: 32,199
Colors: Black & Gold
ABOUT 2024 IOWA FOOTBALL
Schedule/Results
Illinois State (W 40-0)
Iowa State (L 19-20)
Troy (W 38-21)
at Minnesota (W 31-14)
at Ohio State (L 7-35)
Washington (W 40-16)
at Michigan State (L 20-32)
Northwestern (W 40-14)
Wisconsin (W 32-10)
at UCLA (L 17-20)
at Maryland (W 29-13)
Nebraska
The Hawkeyes are averaging 29.4 points and 346.7 yards per game, with 133.2 yards per game through the air and 213.5 yards per game on the ground. Jackson Stratton has completed 13-of-20 passes for 104 yards. Jacob Gill leads Iowa with 31 receptions for 365 yards and two touchdowns, followed by Luke Lachey with 25 grabs for 218 yards. Kaleb Johnson paces the rushing attack for the Hawkeyes, carrying the ball 223 times for 1,492 yards and 21 touchdowns. Kamari Moulton has tallied 67 rushes for 381 yards and a pair of scores.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes are allowing 17.7 points and 311.7 yards per game this season. Jay Higgins leads the Iowa defense with a team-high 106 tackles and four interceptions in 11 games. Nick Jackson has recorded 80 tackles, followed by Quinn Schulte with 51 stops, while Ethan Hurkett leads the Hawkeyes with 8.5 tackles for loss. Aaron Graves has totaled a team-high five sacks on the year and is one of four players with at least three sacks.
ABOUT KIRK FERENTZ
Kirk Ferentz is in his 26th serason as the head football coach at the University of Iowa and his 34th season overall with the Hawkeyes.
Under Ferentz, the Hawkeyes have earned 21 bowl game invitations since 2001.
Ferentz is the longest-tenured head football coach in the nation. Ferentz and former Iowa head coach Hayden Fry are the only head coaches to lead a Division I football program for 20 years, consecutively. With a 63-0 win at Illinois in 2018, Ferentz became just the fifth coach in Big Ten Conference history to win 150 games as a Big Ten head coach.
Prior to serving as head coach of the Hawkeyes, Ferentz was the offensive line coach in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns (1993-1998) and was head coach at FCS Maine from 1990 to 1992. He also served as an offensive line coach at Iowa from 1981 to 1989.
Ferentz vs. Nebraska
Ferentz will be facing Nebraksa for the 16th time as a head coach on Friday. Ferentz holds a 9-6 record against the Huskers after eding Nebraska 13-10 in Lincoln last season.
LAST MEETING: NOVEMBER 24, 2023
Iowa 13, Nebraska 10
LINCOLN - Iowa kicked a 38-yard field goal as the final seconds ticked off the clock to defeat Nebraska in a Black Friday matchup, 13-10, in front of 86,183 fans at Memorial Stadium.
Iowa improved to 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten) on the year while Nebraska fell to 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten). The Huskers produced more yards than the Hawkeyes and blocked two field goals, but NU was unable to overcome three turnovers, including a turnover in the final minute that set up Iowa's walk-off field goal.
Iowa threatened first in the opening quarter, taking over at the Nebraska 17-yard line after a fumble by Ethan Nation on a punt return. The Blackshirts forced Iowa into a 30-yard field goal attempt, which resulted in Ty Robinson blocking Drew Stevens’ attempt to keep the game scoreless.
A seven-play, 51-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Deacon Hill gave the Hawkeyes a 7-0 lead with 13:22 left in the second quarter.
A 28-yard field goal by Stevens stretched the lead to 10-0 with 5:12 remaining in the first half after NU’s second fumble of the day had the Hawkeyes starting their drive on the Nebraska 44-yard line.
A quick three-play, 65-yard drive highlighted by a 66-yard strike from Chubby Purdy to Jaylen Lloyd brought the Big Red within 10-7 with 3:43 left in the second quarter. The 66-yard scoring play marked Lloyd’s third touchdown reception of at least 58 yards this season and marked the longest play allowed by Iowa this season.
The Hawkeyes looked to extend their lead heading into the half with a 24-yard field goal attempt by Stevens, but Nash Hutmacher blocked the kick to pick up the second blocked field goal for the NU, a first for the program since 2005.
Nebraska put together its best sustained drive to date midway through the third quarter, going 43 yards in 10 plays before Tristan Alvano’s 44-yard field goal tied the game at 10 with 6:18 left in the period. Purdy kept the drive alive with third-down passes to Emmett Johnson and Joshua Fleeks, the latter being a 25-yard pass on third and 11 to get the ball to the Iowa 30-yard line.
Alvano’s field goal would be the only score of the period as the game was tied at 10-all entering the fourth quarter.
Nebraska pinned Iowa deep in its own territory after a 41-yard punt by Brian Buschini put the ball at the Iowa 1-yard line. NU forced a three-and-out before Billy Kemp’s return to midfield gave NU its best field position of the day with 11:09 remaining in the fourth quarter.
A 13-yard pass to Alex Bullock on third and 10 highlighted Nebraska’s nine-play drive that set up a 44-yard field goal attempt from Alvano, who missed wide left. Iowa got the ball back and went three and out, giving Nebraska the ball with 2:18 left in the game. Purdy hit Malachi Coleman for a 15-yard pass, but NU couldn’t convert again and sent the special teams unit out to punt it away.
Nebraska got the ball back on a Tommi Hill interception with with 31 seconds remaining. But two plays later, Iowa picked off Purdy and used a 22-yard run on first down to set up the game-winning field goal.
The teams traded interceptions in the final minute of the game and Marshall Meeder kicked a 38-yarder in his first attempt of the season to seal the game.
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS (6-5, 3-5) | at | IOWA HAWKEYES (7-4, 5-3) |
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WHEN: Friday, November 29 | 6:30 PM (CT)
WHERE: Kinnick Stadium | Iowa City, Iowa
TV: NBC (Paul Burmeister, Colt McCoy, Zora Stephenson)
RADIO: Huskers Radio Network (Greg Sharpe, Damon Benning, Jessica Coody)
HUSKERS
Record: 6-5 (3-5 Big Ten)
Last Game: vs. Wisconsin (W 44-25)
Streak: Won 1
Rank: NR
Coach: Matt Rhule (11-12, 2nd year NU | 58-55, 9th year overall | 0-1 vs. Iowa)
HAWKEYES
Record: 7-4 (5-3 Big Ten)
Last Game: at Maryland (W 29-13)
Streak: Won 1
Rank: NR
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (203-123, 26th season at Iowa | 215-144, 28th season overall | 9-6 vs. Nebraska)
THIS WEEK'S NUMBERS
6 - The past six meetings between Nebraska and Iowa have been decided by seven or fewer points, including three games by three points. The total margin in the past six games is 29 points.
35 - Friday's game will mark the 35th consecutive season Nebraska has played on Black Friday, including the past 14 years against Iowa. The Huskers own a 20-14 record since 1990 in Black Friday games.
44 - Nebraska's 44-point scoring effort against Wisconsin was the highest point total in two seasons under Coach Matt Rhule. It was also the most points scored by the Huskers since a 56-7 win over Northwestern in 2021, a span of 41 games.
THE MATCHUP
Nebraska completes its 2024 regular season on Friday evening by traveling to Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the schools' annual Black Friday matchup. Game time at Iowa's Kinnick Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT with NBC providing the television coverage. The contest can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network and the Huskers App.
Nebraska heads to Iowa City with momentum following a 44-25 victory over Wisconsin last Saturday afternoon in Lincoln. The victory improved the Huskers to 6-5 on the season and clinched Nebraska's first bowl trip since the 2016 season.
The Huskers used their most complete offensive effort of the season to pull away from the Badgers in the victory. Nebraska's 44 points were the most in two seasons under Matt Rhule, and the Huskers posted their second highest marks of the season in total offense (473), rushing offense (180) and passing offense (293). Defensively, the Blackshirts had two takeaways in the game and forced Wisconsin without points on three drives inside the Nebraska 25-yard line.
Iowa comes into the regular-season finale with a 7-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in Big Ten Conference play. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 29-13 victory at Maryland on Saturday, a game in which Iowa relied on its running game, rolling up 268 yards on the ground and holding the ball for more than 37 minutes of game action. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson rushed for 164 yards in the win. He ranks second in the nation in rushing yards per game. Overall, the Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten and rank 13th nationally in rushing at 213.5 yards per game. The Hawkeyes once again feature one of Big Ten's best defenses, allowing just 17.7 points per game, while leading the Big Ten in turnover margin.
SERIES HISTORY
Nebraska and Iowa are meeting for the 14th straight season as Big Ten opponents and for the 55th time overall. Nebraska owns a 30-21-3 edge in the all-time series between the schools, while the Hawkeyes own a 9-4 edge since Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference
- Iowa is the only opponent Nebraska has met in all 14 seasons as a member of the Big Ten Conference, and the Hawkeyes are the only opponent the Huskers face on an annual basis in the 18-team conference.
- The road team in the series has won the past three matchups and none of the last 12 meetings overall, including Nebraska's 24-17 win at Kinnick Stadium in 2022.
- The past six meetings have been decided by a total of 29 points. Iowa has a 5-1 record in those games, including last second field goals in 2018, 2019 and 2023.
- Nebraska rallied from a 17-point second half deficit to win in overtime at Iowa City in 2014, tying for the second-largest comeback in school history
- Prior to joining the Big Ten, Nebraska last met Iowa in 1999 and 2000, winning each of the contests
- Nebraska and Iowa met six times in non-conference play between 1979 and 2000, with the Huskers winning five of the six games. The Huskers were ranked in the top 10 in each of those six games.
- Nebraska's largest margin of victory in the series was a 57-0 win in 1980. The Huskers' longest win streak in the series was 8 straight wins between 1931 and 1941. Iowa's largest victory was a 56-14 win in 2017, and the Hawkeyes longest win streak in the series was 7 games between 2015 and 2021.
Nebraska vs. Iowa Series History
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score | Location |
| 1891 | Iowa | Nebraska | 22-0 | Omaha |
| 1892 | Nebraska-Iowa (tie) | 10-10 | Omaha | |
| 1893 | Nebraska | Iowa | 20-18 | Omaha |
| 1894 | Nebarska | Iowa | 36-0 | Omaha |
| 1895 | Nebraska | Iowa | 6-0 | Omaha |
| 1896 | Nebraska-Iowa (tie) | 0-0 | Omaha | |
| 1896 | Iowa | Nebraska | 6-0 | Omaha |
| 1897 | Nebraska | Iowa | 6-0 | Council Bluffs |
| 1898 | Iowa | Nebraska | 6-5 | Council Bluffs |
| 1899 | Iowa | Nebraska | 30-0 | Omaha |
| 1903 | Nebraska | Iowa | 17-6 | Iowa City |
| 1904 | Nebraska | Iowa | 17-12 | Lincoln |
| 1908 | Nebraska | Iowa | 11-8 | Iowa City |
| 1909 | Nebraska-Iowa (tie) | 6-6 | Lincoln | |
| 1913 | Nebraska | Iowa | 12-0 | Lincoln |
| 1914 | Nebraska | Iowa | 16-7 | Iowa City |
| 1915 | Nebraska | Iowa | 52-7 | Lincoln |
| 1916 | Nebraska | Iowa | 34-17 | Iowa City |
| 1917 | Nebraska | Iowa | 47-0 | Lincoln |
| 1918 | Iowa | Nebraska | 12-0 | Lincoln |
| 1919 | Iowa | Nebraska | 18-0 | Iowa City |
| 1930 | Iowa | Nebraska | 12-7 | Iowa City |
| 1931 | Nebraska | Iowa | 7-0 | Lincoln |
| 1932 | Nebraska | Iowa | 14-13 | Iowa City |
| 1933 | Nebraska | Iowa | 7-6 | Lincoln |
| 1934 | Nebraska | Iowa | 14-13 | Lincoln |
| 1937 | Nebraska | Iowa | 28-0 | Lincoln |
| 1938 | Nebraska | Iowa | 14-0 | Iowa City |
| 1940 | Nebraska | Iowa | 14-6 | Lincoln |
| 1941 | Nebraska | Iowa | 14-13 | Lincoln |
| 1942 | Iowa | Nebraska | 27-0 | Iowa City |
| 1943 | Iowa | Nebraska | 33-13 | Lincoln |
| 1944 | Iowa | Nebraska | 27-6 | Iowa City |
| 1945 | Nebraska | Iowa | 13-6 | Lincoln |
| 1946 | Iowa | Nebraska | 21-7 | Iowa City |
| 1979 | Nebraska | Iowa | 24-21 | Iowa City |
| 1980 | Nebraska | Iowa | 57-0 | Lincoln |
| 1981 | Iowa | Nebraska | 10-7 | Iowa City |
| 1982 | Nebraska | Iowa | 42-7 | Lincoln |
| 1999 | Nebraska | Iowa | 42-7 | Iowa City |
| 2000 | Nebraska | Iowa | 42-13 | Lincoln |
| Big Ten | Big Ten | Big Ten | Big Ten | Big Ten |
| 2011 | Nebraska | Iowa | 20-7 | Lincoln |
| 2012 | Nebraska | Iowa | 13-7 | Iowa City |
| 2013 | Iowa | Nebraska | 38-17 | Lincoln |
| 2014 | Nebraska | Iowa | 37-34 (OT) | Iowa City |
| 2015 | Iowa | Nebraska | 28-20 | Lincoln |
| 2016 | Iowa | Nebraska | 40-10 | Iowa City |
| 2017 | Iowa | Nebraska | 56-14 | Lincoln |
| 2018 | Iowa | Nebraska | 31-28 | Iowa City |
| 2019 | Iowa | Nebraska | 27-24 | Lincoln |
| 2020 | Iowa | Nebraska | 26-20 | Iowa City |
| 2021 | Iowa | Nebraska | 28-21 | Lincoln |
| 2022 | Nebraska | Iowa | 24-17 | Iowa City |
| 2023 | Iowa | Nebraska | 13-10 | Lincoln |
NEBRASKA, IOWA TO BATTLE FOR HEROES TROPHY
Nebraska and Iowa will battle for the Heroes Trophy when they hit the field Friday at Kinnick Stadium. The Heroes Game is the annual trophy game between Nebraska and Iowa. The game is sponsored by Pioneer.
While both teams aim to win the trophy on the field, Nebraska and Iowa wished to make their annual meeting about more than just a football game. The schools partnered to not only create a trophy, but to use their stage to honor a citizen hero from each state. In addition to the trophy claimed by the winner of the game, both an Iowa and Nebraska native will be honored for extraordinary acts. Citizen heroes from each state will be announced on Tuesday, November 26.
BIG RED ON BLACK FRIDAY
Nebraska continues its long tradition of playing on the day after Thanksgiving. This Friday's game will mark the 35th consecutive season the Huskers have played on Black Friday.
- Nebraska met Oklahoma in the final six seasons of the Big Eight Conference (1990-1995), then played Colorado in all 15 of the Huskers' Big 12 Conference years (1996-2010), before taking on Iowa in each of the 14 seasons it has been a member of the Big Ten Conference, including this year.
- Nebraska is 10-6 on the road in Black Friday games, including 3-3 at Iowa
- In addition to playing Iowa on Black Friday the past 13 seasons, Nebraska and Iowa also closed the regular season against each other nine times from 1892 to 1916.
ABOUT IOWA
Iowa has fielded a football team since 1889 and has an all-time record of 701-579-39. The Hawkeyes have claimed five national titles and 11 Big Ten titles.
The Hawkeyes have an overall bowl record of 20-18-1. Most recently, Iowa fell 35-0 to Tennessee last season in the Citrus Bowl.
First Year: 1889
All-Time Record: 701-579-39 (.546)
Bowl Record: 20-18-1
Conference Titles: 11
National Titles: 5 (1921, 1922, 1956, 1958, 1960)
Stadium: Kinnick Stadium
Capacity: 69,250
Surface: FieldTurf
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Enrollment: 32,199
Colors: Black & Gold
ABOUT 2024 IOWA FOOTBALL
Schedule/Results
Illinois State (W 40-0)
Iowa State (L 19-20)
Troy (W 38-21)
at Minnesota (W 31-14)
at Ohio State (L 7-35)
Washington (W 40-16)
at Michigan State (L 20-32)
Northwestern (W 40-14)
Wisconsin (W 32-10)
at UCLA (L 17-20)
at Maryland (W 29-13)
Nebraska
The Hawkeyes are averaging 29.4 points and 346.7 yards per game, with 133.2 yards per game through the air and 213.5 yards per game on the ground. Jackson Stratton has completed 13-of-20 passes for 104 yards. Jacob Gill leads Iowa with 31 receptions for 365 yards and two touchdowns, followed by Luke Lachey with 25 grabs for 218 yards. Kaleb Johnson paces the rushing attack for the Hawkeyes, carrying the ball 223 times for 1,492 yards and 21 touchdowns. Kamari Moulton has tallied 67 rushes for 381 yards and a pair of scores.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes are allowing 17.7 points and 311.7 yards per game this season. Jay Higgins leads the Iowa defense with a team-high 106 tackles and four interceptions in 11 games. Nick Jackson has recorded 80 tackles, followed by Quinn Schulte with 51 stops, while Ethan Hurkett leads the Hawkeyes with 8.5 tackles for loss. Aaron Graves has totaled a team-high five sacks on the year and is one of four players with at least three sacks.
ABOUT KIRK FERENTZ
Kirk Ferentz is in his 26th serason as the head football coach at the University of Iowa and his 34th season overall with the Hawkeyes.
Under Ferentz, the Hawkeyes have earned 21 bowl game invitations since 2001.
Ferentz is the longest-tenured head football coach in the nation. Ferentz and former Iowa head coach Hayden Fry are the only head coaches to lead a Division I football program for 20 years, consecutively. With a 63-0 win at Illinois in 2018, Ferentz became just the fifth coach in Big Ten Conference history to win 150 games as a Big Ten head coach.
Prior to serving as head coach of the Hawkeyes, Ferentz was the offensive line coach in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns (1993-1998) and was head coach at FCS Maine from 1990 to 1992. He also served as an offensive line coach at Iowa from 1981 to 1989.
Ferentz vs. Nebraska
Ferentz will be facing Nebraksa for the 16th time as a head coach on Friday. Ferentz holds a 9-6 record against the Huskers after eding Nebraska 13-10 in Lincoln last season.
LAST MEETING: NOVEMBER 24, 2023
Iowa 13, Nebraska 10
LINCOLN - Iowa kicked a 38-yard field goal as the final seconds ticked off the clock to defeat Nebraska in a Black Friday matchup, 13-10, in front of 86,183 fans at Memorial Stadium.
Iowa improved to 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten) on the year while Nebraska fell to 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten). The Huskers produced more yards than the Hawkeyes and blocked two field goals, but NU was unable to overcome three turnovers, including a turnover in the final minute that set up Iowa's walk-off field goal.
Iowa threatened first in the opening quarter, taking over at the Nebraska 17-yard line after a fumble by Ethan Nation on a punt return. The Blackshirts forced Iowa into a 30-yard field goal attempt, which resulted in Ty Robinson blocking Drew Stevens’ attempt to keep the game scoreless.
A seven-play, 51-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Deacon Hill gave the Hawkeyes a 7-0 lead with 13:22 left in the second quarter.
A 28-yard field goal by Stevens stretched the lead to 10-0 with 5:12 remaining in the first half after NU’s second fumble of the day had the Hawkeyes starting their drive on the Nebraska 44-yard line.
A quick three-play, 65-yard drive highlighted by a 66-yard strike from Chubby Purdy to Jaylen Lloyd brought the Big Red within 10-7 with 3:43 left in the second quarter. The 66-yard scoring play marked Lloyd’s third touchdown reception of at least 58 yards this season and marked the longest play allowed by Iowa this season.
The Hawkeyes looked to extend their lead heading into the half with a 24-yard field goal attempt by Stevens, but Nash Hutmacher blocked the kick to pick up the second blocked field goal for the NU, a first for the program since 2005.
Nebraska put together its best sustained drive to date midway through the third quarter, going 43 yards in 10 plays before Tristan Alvano’s 44-yard field goal tied the game at 10 with 6:18 left in the period. Purdy kept the drive alive with third-down passes to Emmett Johnson and Joshua Fleeks, the latter being a 25-yard pass on third and 11 to get the ball to the Iowa 30-yard line.
Alvano’s field goal would be the only score of the period as the game was tied at 10-all entering the fourth quarter.
Nebraska pinned Iowa deep in its own territory after a 41-yard punt by Brian Buschini put the ball at the Iowa 1-yard line. NU forced a three-and-out before Billy Kemp’s return to midfield gave NU its best field position of the day with 11:09 remaining in the fourth quarter.
A 13-yard pass to Alex Bullock on third and 10 highlighted Nebraska’s nine-play drive that set up a 44-yard field goal attempt from Alvano, who missed wide left. Iowa got the ball back and went three and out, giving Nebraska the ball with 2:18 left in the game. Purdy hit Malachi Coleman for a 15-yard pass, but NU couldn’t convert again and sent the special teams unit out to punt it away.
Nebraska got the ball back on a Tommi Hill interception with with 31 seconds remaining. But two plays later, Iowa picked off Purdy and used a 22-yard run on first down to set up the game-winning field goal.
The teams traded interceptions in the final minute of the game and Marshall Meeder kicked a 38-yarder in his first attempt of the season to seal the game.
When you start blaming the Refs, you're in trouble of losing your team.. (SIAP)
- By HuskerOH
- Husker Board
- 6 Replies
NU dodged a bullet.