Iowa blows out Nebraska, ruining Big Ten West title shot for Huskers

No. 16 Nebraska had a chance to keep its Big Ten West title hopes alive with a win over Iowa on Friday. Instead, the Huskers laid an egg.

Nebraska was thoroughly dismantled on both sides of the ball by the Hawkeyes in a 40-10 loss in Iowa City. The Huskers could only muster 217 yards of offense while giving up 40 points to an Iowa team that had averaged 22.7 points per game over the past two months.

Iowa doesn’t have what any would call an “explosive” offense, but Nebraska’s defense would make you think otherwise. The Hawkeyes struck on touchdowns of 75 and 77 yards in the first quarter to jump out to a 13-0 lead. Nebraska did manage to crack the scoreboard with a field goal, but another Iowa touchdown made it 20-3 at the half.

After Iowa added another touchdown early in the third, it looked like Nebraska would maybe make things competitive when Tommy Armstrong got the Huskers in the end zone on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Morgan Jr. to cut the lead to 26-10.

But that was the last time Nebraska would even sniff the end zone.

Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard threw for three touchdowns in the win over Nebraska. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

On the Huskers’ final four possessions, they managed 14 total yards. Yes, 14. While Nebraska sputtered, the Hawkeyes put together two more lengthy touchdown drives of 6:15 and 8:10. The Hawkeyes were not even going to give Nebraska the chance to mount a comeback effort.

By the time the dust settled, it was 40-10 and the Hawkeyes had nearly doubled the Huskers in offense, 408 yards to 217.

The Iowa (8-4) win means Wisconsin will represent the Big Ten West division in the conference title game in Indianapolis. Nebraska had a chance to go to Indy entering Friday, but needed a win in Iowa City and a Minnesota win over Wisconsin on Saturday. Instead, after a 7-0 start, Nebraska’s promising season will end with three losses in its final five regular games.

Despite the outcome of this one, both teams can still claim a share of the West division title. If Minnesota does pull off the upset of the sixth-ranked Badgers Saturday in Madison, it would create a four-way divisional tie between Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Nonetheless, Wisconsin would still represent the division in the title game against either Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State. Michigan clinches the East with a win over Ohio State. If Ohio State wins and Penn State beats Michigan State, Penn State would head to Indianapolis. And if Ohio State wins and Penn State loses, the Buckeyes will wrap up the division.