Tough to do, but consider what Iowa's game plan defensively was and give them some credit. Stop the run with the front four and reading keys, contain armstrong in a pocket, drop 7 into coverage, or 8 when they were in the raider package, dare TA to throw. They employed 7/8 man coverages, they kept him in the pocket the vast majority of the day, and they never got really pressed against the run. On the backend, no one ever got behind their defense. Their defensive game plan played out almost perfectly, and Nebraska played right into their hands
Then, they put a sleeper hold on the game with their OFFENSE in the 3rd quarter. Force a 3 and out, score in two plays. Allowed a long Nebraska drive with multiple conversions and other near interceptions, then they answered with a one play scoring drive. Think about it. Really we are trying to talk ourselves into thinking it was just our own undoing? They knew exactly what it took to win the game, and controled it regardless of meaningless passing yardage between the 30s.
After their second, second half TD they didn't care about anything except turning it over, running clock, and avoiding a big play by the nebraska offense. Didn't they only attempt 2, maybe 3 second half passes? It was clear they had total confidence in their defense.
I agree with you the statistics are very misleading at a cursory glance, but they aren't what they appear to be either. One team was in control of the game pretty much the whole freaking game because game planning and personnel - from both teams.