Post Game Notes:Iowa defeats Nebraska 38-17 in Lincoln to capture first Heroes Trophy

Lincoln, NE -- Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011, so Friday's 38-17 win by Iowa was the first in three attempts in winning the Heroes Trophy in the Big Ten finale to close out the 2013 regular season.

Kirk Ferentz 1, Bo Pelini 2 in the Heroes Game

Iowa (8-4, 5-3) defeated Nebraska (8-4, 5-3) today, 38-17, inside Memorial Stadium. It was Iowa's first win in the series since 1981 (10-7), and its first win in Lincoln since 1943 (33-13).

The win snapped Nebraska's five-game winning streak in the series.

Iowa took possession of the Heroes Trophy for the first time since it was introduced in 2011. Iowa is 3-1 in trophy games this season, currently possessing the Cy-Hawk (Iowa State), Floyd of Rosedale (Minnesota) and Heroes (Nebraska).

Iowa scored 38 points today, the most points Iowa has ever scored in the series. The 21-point differential was Nebraska's largest home loss since falling to Missouri 52-17 in 2008.

The Hawkeyes have eight wins this season, a four-win improvement from a year ago. That improvement ranks fourth in the country. Entering today, Auburn (+7), Boston College (+5) and Missouri (+5) had greater win totals year-over-year.

Iowa has four road wins this season, its highest total since 2009 (4).

Iowa and Nebraska will likely learn about what bowl venue they are headed to on December 8th.

The Iowa defense held Nebraska senior QB
Ron Kellogg III in check most of the game.
Iowa won 38-17 to take home the Heroes Trophy.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini meet with the Media, after the game.

Nebraska vs. Iowa
Head Coach Bo PeliniSaturday, Nov. 29, 2013
Opening Statement

“I just told the team that was a tough one to lose. I'm proud of that football team in there. I'm proud of all the things that they overcame through the year. I'm proud of who they are as men. I told the seniors they have a lot to be proud of. It hasn't been an easy year from any stretch of the imagination. It's been difficult. This team had a lot to perservere through, a lot to stick together through. They did that, and I'm proud of them, regardless of how it ended today. It was unfortunate how it ended today. We shot ourselves in the foot a number of times. We had some things go against us. It was unfortunate."

On making similar mistakes to last year
“Those mistakes plague any football team. When you turn the football over, you're going to have some difficulties."

On the failed fake punt in the third quarter?
“We thought it was there. We missed a block. We liked the look they were in and we whipped on a block, the most important block. We took a chance and it didn't work out. It's my fault."

On reasoning for the unsportsmanlike conduct charge
“[The ref] said I got too close to him. I thought that was a chicken s*** call. Excuse my language on that, but I had never seen anything like that before. I've done a lot worse than that. I saw [Iowa head coach] Kirk Ferentz on the other side acting a lot worse than I act. I didn't see a flag come out on him. The bottom line is they knew they blew the call. They blew it. They blew that call over there on that third down. Everybody in the stadium knew it. They just didn't man up enough to pick that flag up."

On how the team has persevered through injuries
“It's been incredible what we've gone through. I told those kids in there who were hurting, 'You don't have to apologize to anybody. You've got to walk out there with your head held high.'"

On a timetable regarding his coaching evaluation
“I don't concern myself with that. You guys can concern yourself with that."

On if he has been informed of any timetable
“That's not my decision, so why are you asking me the question? Talk to somebody else."

On senior wide receiver Quincy Enunwa
“Quincy's been a stud all year. He's been big time."

On fan's support during the tunnel walk
“It's great."

On if he made a case in favor of keeping his job
“I don't coach to make a case. You guys have chosen to make a story of it all year. It's impacted our football team. It's hurt our football team. Let's call a spade a spade. If they want to fire me, go ahead. I believe in what I've done. I don't apologize for what I've done. I don't apologize for anybody, myself or this staff. Our record since I've been here speaks for itself. This program's heading in a good direction. If you choose not to think so, that's your prerogative. All I know is that myself, the staff, the people associated with this program since I've been here can look at themselves in the mirror and feel good about what they've done."

Iowa junior WR Kevonte Martin-Manley scores an Iowa TD
in the 3rd quarter, after a failed Nebraska fake punt.

Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz Quotes

Opening Statement
"Obviously I am really thrilled with our football team right now, I am really proud of them and am happy to get the victory today. It was a hard-fought game against a really good Nebraska football team. Nothing easy about coming over here and playing obviously. I am just really proud of how our guys fought through the entire game and came away with the victory."

On if the game is now a rivalry
".... It is starting, but it is still pretty lopsided---the record is, but this was a good step forward for sure."

On the fake punt, why he took a timeout before
"We wanted to give (the play before) a little time just to make sure the people upstairs had a chance to see it, on top of that we subbed out a little bit, too."

On being named one of the country's top five worst coaches during the preseason
"I mean everyone is entitled to their opinion, that is the great thing about our country. I don't think he went to jail for saying that, so that is just a part of coaching. Fortunately I don't believe I believed it.... well at least in the bottom 10, I wouldn't say the bottom five. But those things are just talk and noise."

On an 8-4 finish to the season
"Just really pleased, that was the best we could do and when we talked during the bye week a couple weeks back, that is all you can do. At that point I believe we were sitting at 6-4, lost a couple of ball games to really good teams. Our focus--as it has been since the end of last November was just to try and improve, working hard, and maximizing our opportunities. That is kind of the formula we have tried to use, the reason why it has materialized is because our players have done the work that they have to do. It is all about our leadership--our seniors and our juniors."

On if there was a magic formula to go 4-8 to 8-4
"No there really isn't. I am certainly not smart enough to think--creative or in genius, so it was just a matter of trying to do things better. We clearly didn't play well enough last year, in critical areas with certain things, our focus was just to try and do things better."

On the difference between last year's team to this year's team
"It is just making every phase count. The out of season program, which you always try to find positives--we had a longer one since we didnt have bowl practices. We lost out on a lot of good practice time, which is a downside, but our guys practiced really well in the spring. Sometimes you look at guys who play and had success without working as hard, but the good news today is that I think we are a better football team now then when we were in August, and that is what it is all about, getting better."

On special teams play
"Our kicking game was really a help for us. Connor did a good job with the punts. That helped us with field posistion. I dont mind telling you guys, I was more than a little bit worried about our kickoff coverage with number 80 (Kenny Bell). He is very dangerous and had one last week that went the distance. I thought we covered kicks better than we have done all season, which is really good to see. I can't say enough about how Rudock played, he played a really good game and made some really nice throws, helped us win the game."

Iowa leads 14-3 at half over Nebraska in Lincoln

Lincoln, NE -- The Iowa Hawkeyes take a 14-3 lead into halftime at Nebraska. The Hawkeyes capitalised on one of two Ron Kellogg III interceptions and positive field position throughout the first half.

Iowa scored two red zone touchdowns, when quarterback Jake Rudock hit C.J. Fiedorowicz for a touchdown on third down. Later in the second quarter, Iowa's Mark Weisman scored on a one yard run.

Nebraska scored a 33 yard field goal on their last series of the first half to make it 14-3.

Iowa is winning the game basically controlling all the keys of the game. Nebraska is struggling vs. Iowa, with a couple of miscues and two turnovers. Kellogg appeared to finally settle down on the last series.

It's a 60 minute game and Nebraska will have the option to take the ball to open the second half.

Iowa hasn't won in Lincoln, since November of 1943, when Iowa won 33-13.

Nebraska finishes practice on a short week ahead of Iowa game on Blackshirt Friday

Lincoln, Neb. --  The Nebraska (8-3, 5-2 B1G Legends)  football team continued its week of preparation for the Black Friday showdown with Iowa (7-4, 4-3 B1G Legends) practicing for just more than 90 minutes on Wednesday afternoon inside the Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska coach
Bo Pelini is
57-23 in
sixth season.

Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini met with media members after practice, noting that the team has had a good short week of practice leading into Friday’s match up with the Hawkeyes. 

“We finished up the week well, I think our kids are looking forward to the game. I know we have a lot of friends and family in town, so it is going to be their job to keep that in perspective, enjoy their families but get ready to play football,” Pelini said. “We are looking forward to it. As far as injuries and who is starting, most of that will be a game-time decision.”

With Nebraska playing on Blackshirt Friday every year since Pelini has been here, Pelini noted that he isn’t going to change anything up in his short week of preparation for Friday’s showdown in the HyVee Heroes game.

“Exactly the same formula, obviously you have to compact it a little bit more,” Pelini said. “Obviously, I have been through that a number of times in college and in the pros. I like the schedule we have built there and understand in a short week you can still get your work done.”

Nebraska third-string,
walk-on QB
Ron Kellogg III,
a 6-1, 220 senior
from Omaha Westside.

Nebraska will start their third different quarterback this season against Iowa on Friday. Ron Kellogg III, a senior walk-on, is scheduled to replace redshirt freshman Tommy Armstrong, who left the Penn State game early, due to injury. He finished the game last week against Penn State, a 23-20 overtime victory in Happy Valley. Also, he threw the Hail Mary pass to beat Northwestern on November 2nd, in relief for Armstrong in that game.

“I’m not as fast as some people would want me to be, but I don’t care as long as I’m getting a first down or positive yards. That’s a-okay in my book,” Kellogg said. “Even after the hit against Penn State, I’m still probably going to run the football. I know everyone was scared, including my mom, but that’s not going to deter me from seeking success for the offense. I know how to slide, but I broke my ankle sliding so I don’t slide like that anymore. I slide head-first now. I might have to change that up, too.”

As the quarterback who replaced a still injured Armstrong, who remains doubtful to play against Iowa Friday on Senior Day, Kellogg knows his composure is paramount. “I’m not saying I won’t have any emotions,” he said. “I’ve seen some of the toughest people, like Alfonzo Dennard and Lavonte David, say that weren’t going to cry and then they come back into the locker room crying. I’m going to try to be composed and set all of the emotions aside because we still have a game we have to play. We want to get our ninth win, so I’ll try my best to compose myself.”

Kellogg said he “felt like I got in a car accident” at Penn State. “With the treatment from the training staff, I feel just fine now,” he added. “It’s like I didn’t even play on Saturday, so I’m all good for Friday.” Kellogg said he’ll remember and cherish Friday’s Senior Day for a lifetime. “I’ll brag about it to my kids,” he said. “Other than that, it just shows that whether you’re a walk-on or scholarship guy, if you work hard and put forth the time and effort to understand the schemes on offense or defense, it’s up to you whether you want to play or not. I easily could have taken a different route and either left or quit playing football, but it’s something I love to do and have a passion for … there are a lot of memories, whether I played or not, that I’ll take with me.”

Nebraska will have 23 seniors participate in their final game at Memorial Stadium on Friday. The 23-man senior class has helped Nebraska to 47 wins over the past five seasons.

Taking a step away from football, earlier on Wednesday, members of the Husker football team took time out of their schedule to visit Lincoln area hospitals. Members of team visited Bryan LGH Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Regional Medical Center, Madonna Rehabilitation Center and the Nebraska Heart Institute. The football team has visited area hospitals on the day before Thanksgiving each of the past several years.

Nebraska will hit the practice field again on Thursday for a short walk through.. The Huskers will host Iowa in the third annual HyVee Heroes game on Friday at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.