The Iowa Hawkeyes will conclude their regular season on the road against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Under the guidance of head coach Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes have secured a winning season, currently standing at 7-4. Their pursuit of an eighth victory hinges on this matchup with Nebraska, which also boasts a matching record. However, Nebraska”s recent struggles, highlighted by a loss to Penn State—whom Iowa defeated just weeks ago—should give Iowa fans confidence.
First on the agenda is the performance of quarterback Mark Gronowski. After a rocky start against Michigan State, Gronowski rebounded with a strong fourth quarter. The coaching staff would likely love to see freshman Jeremy Hecklinski take the field in this final game, but that would require Gronowski to play exceptionally well. This season, Iowa has shown surprising strength on the road, including a memorable game against Rutgers and a dominant 37-0 victory over Wisconsin. A repeat of such performances against Nebraska, which allowed just one incompletion last week, would certainly please Hawkeyes fans. Additionally, Gronowski may find success on the ground, as Nebraska struggled defensively, allowing over 200 rushing yards to Penn State.
Next, Kamari Moulton is poised for a major role in the game plan. It is crucial for Iowa to give Moulton at least 20 carries against Nebraska. Observing the success of Penn State”s Kaytron Allen, who amassed 160 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, it seems logical for Iowa to aim for similar results with Moulton. The offensive line for Iowa ranks among the best nationally, making it unlikely that Nebraska will suddenly rectify their defensive issues. Moulton has been a key player in Iowa”s rushing attack, and there is no reason to reduce his workload now.
On the other side of the ball, Nebraska”s ground game is led by junior Emmett Johnson. With a freshman quarterback at the helm, Johnson has become increasingly vital to the team”s offensive strategy. This season, he has recorded over 1,200 rushing yards on 222 carries, along with 11 touchdowns. Johnson has consistently eclipsed the 100-yard mark in the past four games. However, he faced a challenging stretch earlier in the season, finishing four of five games with fewer than 83 rushing yards. As Nebraska looks to rely on Johnson to secure a victory, they will likely find it tough against Iowa”s defense.
As the Hawkeyes prepare to take on the Cornhuskers, the anticipation builds for a thrilling conclusion to the regular season.
