Iowa wins thrilling game against Nebraska with last-second field goal

On Friday, November 29, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa, a dramatic college football game concluded with Drew Stevens' 53-yard field goal as time expired, securing a 13-10 victory for the Iowa Hawkeyes over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The match saw Iowa trailing 10-3 going into the fourth quarter, and it appeared that Nebraska, having taken a 10-0 lead by halftime, would control the game. Iowa's offense struggled significantly during the first half, managing just one first down and a mere 20 yards of total offense. However, the Hawkeyes caught a break in the third quarter when Nebraska's Vincent Shavers Jr. muffed a punt, allowing Iowa to recover the ball at the Nebraska four-yard line. The opportunity was squandered, resulting in a 20-yard field goal by Stevens, which narrowed the deficit to 10-6. With remarkable resilience, Iowa continued to fight back as the fourth quarter progressed. Just as the game seemed to trend in Nebraska's favor, Iowa's Kaleb Johnson turned a short pass from quarterback Jackson Stratton into a breathtaking 72-yard touchdown, tying the game at 10-10 with 14:44 remaining on the clock. This stunning play was particularly significant as Johnson had been largely contained throughout much of the game, further emphasizing the dramatic shift. Iowa gained momentum from this game-tying touchdown, thanks to the determined effort of their players, particularly Stratton and Johnson. As the game approached its climax, Iowa found themselves needing a final push to secure a victory. The critical moment came when Iowa defensive end Max Llewellyn forced a fumble from Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola and subsequently recovered the ball at Nebraska's 36-yard line with only 20 seconds left. Two rushing attempts by Kaleb Johnson helped to keep the clock moving. With time ticking away, Drew Stevens stepped up to the challenge, successfully converting the 53-yard field goal as time expired, resulting in an exhilarating comeback victory for Iowa. This moment stood out not just because of the game's outcome, but also because it provided Stevens redemption after he had struggled in the previous year's contest against Nebraska, where he had been replaced during the pivotal moments of that game. This victory brought Iowa's final season record to 8-4 and solidified their place within the competitive landscape of the Big Ten Conference. Meanwhile, Nebraska finished the season at 6-6, with issues regarding turnovers contributing to their challenges throughout the match, highlighting the importance of executing crucial plays in high-stakes situations.