Nov. 25, 2011
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Nebraska defeated Iowa today 20-7 in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Huskers now lead the all-time series 27-12-3, including a 15-2-1 advantage in games played in Lincoln. Nebraska has won the last four games against Iowa.
IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa was 1-1 inside the red zone today, scoring a Marcus Coker 2-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.
The Hawkeyes have scored on 145 of the last 162 red zone possessions (96 TDs and 45 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa has scored on 126-143 (.881) combined inside the red zone in its last 41 games.
Nebraska was 3-3 inside the red zone, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
The Hawkeyes failed to collect a takeaway today. Iowa has scored 47 points in 11 games following 18 opponent turnovers (nine fumbles and nine interceptions).
The Hawkeye defense has collected at least one takeaway in 64 of its last 74 games, dating back to 2006.
Nebraska collected two takeaways (one fumble and one interception). The Hawkeye defense stopped Nebraska after those turnovers not allowing the Huskers to score.
COKER LEADS GROUND GAME
Sophomore RB Marcus Coker led the Iowa rushing attack with 18 carries for 87 yards and a 2-yard touchdown run. Coker has TD runs in seven consecutive games. Coker has scored 90 points this season, which ranks 11th best in a single-season at Iowa. He has 15 rushing touchdowns this season, which is the fourth most in a single season at Iowa.
Coker has surpassed 100 rushing yards seven times this season and nine times in his career.
For the season, Coker has rushed the ball 270 times for 1,384 yards (5.1 avg.). The 1,384 yards ranks fourth in a single-season at Iowa. He has carried the ball 395 career times for 2,006 yards, which is 12th best at Iowa.
VANDENBERG STAT UPDATES
Junior QB James Vandenberg completed 16-35 passes for 182 yards. Today marked only the second contest this season that Vandenberg did not complete a touchdown pass (Penn State and Nebraska). His interception in the fourth quarter was just the sixth of the season. He has 23 touchdown passes.
Vandenberg has completed 214-360 passes for 2,806 yards and 23 touchdowns. Vandenberg moves up the single-season passing chart today to seventh. His career numbers are 3,096 yards on 259-455 passing. The 3,096 career passing yards rank 10th.
Vandenberg has 23 touchdown passes this season, with 13 of the 23 covering 20 yards or more.
He had four touchdown passes against Indiana and three in wins over Pittsburgh and Louisiana-Monroe.
McNUTT STAT UPDATES
McNutt had a reception in his 31st straight game. He finished the game with four catches for 29 yards. McNutt has posted over 100 receiving yards in eight games this year. He now has 166 career receptions for 2,797 yards. McNutt, Jr. ranks second in career receptions and first in career yards. He is seven receptions from tying the career receptions record at Iowa.
For the season, McNutt, Jr. has 78 receptions for 1,269 yards (16.3 avg.) and 12 scores. The 1,269 yards is an Iowa single-season record and his 78 receptions rank second best. The 1,269 yards receiving is eighth best by a Big Ten receiver in a single-season. McNutt has scored 168 career points, which ranks 10th at Iowa. McNutt, Jr. has 28 career touchdown receptions. He had eight scoring receptions in both 2009 and 2010.
STARTING ON OFFENSE
Nebraska won the toss and deferred, with Iowa receiving the opening kick. Iowa has started on offense in 134 of its last 155 contests, including 10-of-12 this season. The Hawkeyes have started the game on offense in 138-of-161 games under Coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa games vs. Michigan (11/5/11), Iowa State (9/10/11), Minnesota (11/27/10), Wisconsin (10/23/10), Ohio State (11/14/07), Indiana (10/31/09), Purdue (11/15/08), Penn State (11/08/08), Wisconsin (10/10/08), Minnesota (11/10/07), at Northwestern (11/3/07), vs. Michigan State (10/27/07), at Penn State (10/6/07), vs. Iowa State (9/16/06), vs. Minnesota (11/19/05), vs. Michigan (10/22/05), at Purdue (10/8/05), at Minnesota (11/13/04), vs. Purdue (11/6/04), at Miami, OH (9/7/02) and at Michigan State (9/27/03) are the only contests that the Hawkeyes didn’t start on offense. Iowa won 14 of the 21 games.
OPENING DRIVE
Iowa did not score on its opening possession for the sixth time in 12 games. Iowa scored a touchdown on its opening drive vs. Purdue, Iowa State, ULM, Indiana and Michigan and a field goal vs. Northwestern.
Nebraska did not score on its first possession. Iowa has allowed six opponents to score on their opening drive, including three field goals and three touchdowns. Iowa has allowed 14 opponents to score on their opening drive in its last 51 games.
QUICK HITS
- Iowa started the same 22 players on offense and defense that started the Purdue game the previous week, marking the first time this season Iowa started the exact same line-up. Previously, the Iowa offense started the same 11 players in consecutive games vs. Michigan and Michigan State. The Iowa defense started the same 11 players in the first two games of the season and later against Pittsburgh and Louisiana-Monroe.
- Senior punter Eric Guthrie had a solid day punting, averaging 41.1 yards on seven punts, with a long of 56 and placing three inside the 20-yard line. The seven punts tie a personal best, while his 288 total yards punting is a career best.
- Thomas Nardo led the Iowa defense today with a career-high 14 tackles, two for loss. His previous best was 12 against ULM earlier this season. Other Hawkeyes with double-digit tackles include Jordan Bernstine (13), James Morris (13), Tyler Nielsen (11) and Christian Kirksey (10). Bernstine had a career-high 15 tackles earlier this season in a win over Michigan.
- Nebraska dominated time of possession today. The Huskers had the ball for 37:47, compared to only 22:13 for the Hawkeyes.
- Keenan Davis had four catches for a team-best 41 yards today.
INSTANT REPLAY
Instant replay was not used during today’s game.