Iowa holds off Nebraska 28-20, finishes regular season undefeated

Iowa is another step closer to a College Football Playoff berth.

The Hawkeyes used a strong defensive effort and a big game from senior running back Jordan Canzeri to cap off a perfect 12-0 regular season (the first in program history) in a 28-20 win over Nebraska.

The Iowa defense forced four Nebraska turnovers – all on interceptions from Tommy Armstrong Jr. – and Canzeri scored on second half runs of 29 and 68 yards to help the No. 4 Hawkeyes take care business Friday afternoon in Lincoln.

The Hawkeyes offense struggled, compiling only 250 total yards and going 0-of-9 on third down conversions, but the team’s defense picked up the slack.

The game was tied 7-7 late in the first half when the Iowa defense made perhaps its biggest play of the game. With Nebraska backed up deep in its own territory, Iowa brought a blitz. Feeling the pressure, Armstrong went to check the ball down, but Hawkeyes defensive end Parker Hesse got his hand on the ball and tipped it to himself for a pick-six.

Ffter Hesse’s big play, which gave Iowa a 14-7 lead, the Hawkeyes would not trail for the rest of the game.

Canzeri broke off his first touchdown run early in the third to extend the lead to 21-10, but Nebraska responded when Imani Cross found the end zone for the second time in the game.

But on the first play of Iowa’s ensuing drive, Canzeri got great blocking from his line and exploded off the left side for a 68-yard score, bringing the lead to 28-17.

Nebraska had a chance to cut into the lead midway through the fourth, but an Armstrong pass on fourth-and-one from the Iowa 19 fell incomplete on what was a rather curious play call. The Huskers did tack on a field goal to cut Iowa’s lead to 28-20 with just over a minute to go, but an onside kick attempt failed and the Hawkeyes were able to register their school record 12th win.

Now Kirk Ferentz’s squad has just one final test – and it’s a big one – to reach the College Football Playoff. The Hawkeyes will head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game next Saturday against a to be determined opponent.

Iowa, the Big Ten West division champions, will face Michigan State if the Spartans beat Penn State at home. If the Spartans slip up, the winner of the Ohio State-Michigan game will represent the Big Ten East in Indy.

A win in that title game – no matter the opponent – should lock up a spot in the four-team playoff for Iowa.