What started as a back-and-forth game of trading punches with scores and big plays quickly turned into a rather one-sided affair in favor of the Iowa Hawkeyes as they pulled away from the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the way to a dominant 40-16 win in the regular season finale.
Iowa, tied 10-10 after the first quarter, and up 24-16 at half, relied on the usual game plan of running the ball, being patient, and capitalizing on the mistakes that Nebraska made. They did all of that, tightened up the defense in the second half, after some leaky moments early on, and pulled away to a blowout victory.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe win moves Iowa to 8-4 this year with a bowl game coming on the horizon. This team fought hard, won all three of the Big Ten protected rivalry games against Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Minnesota, and will now enjoy some time off before the bowl game. As this period sets in, check out the takeaways from Iowa's win over Nebraska.
Mark Gronowski is tough as nails
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - NOVEMBER 28: Mark Gronowski #11 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs from Rex Guthrie #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)Mark Gronowski is an absolute gamer. This guy is as tough as they come, and it was on full display in this game. He never flinched in this environment of early-game hostililty, rivalry-fueled adrenaline, and freezing temperatures. All he did was lead the Iowa offense on quite possibly its best day of the year.
Gronowski ended the day with 166 passing yards, 64 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns. Most impressively, he led the Iowa offense on four-straight scoring drives between the first and second quarter, accounting for 24 points. He was in full command, and he shone so bright in another big rivalry game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe defense tightened the screws
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - NOVEMBER 28: Karson Sharar #43 of the Iowa Hawkeyes forces a fumble from Jacory Barney Jr. #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on a punt return during the second half at Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)Things were shaky in the first half. Let's just say it. The Iowa run defense was a cause for concern early in this game and got exploited for chunk after chunk by Emmett Johnson, who we also must recognize as a great talent in the backfield.
At halftime, Iowa had surrendered over 175 rushing yards and 16 points. The Cornhuskers ended the day with 231 rushing yards and were shut out in the second half. The passing game was nonexistent for Nebraska as Iowa's defensive backs were glued to the receivers, holding them to just 69 yards on 9-24 passing.
The unit had great performances from Rashad Godfrey Jr., Jayden Montgomery, Zach Lutmer, Karson Sharar, Ethan Hurkett, and many more.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDJ Vonnahme is going to be very good
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - NOVEMBER 28: DJ Vonnahme #81 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates a score with Nathan McNeil #25 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)The Hawkeyes have found another great tight end, although in an unlikely way. DJ Vonnahme, a former walk-on, was thrust into action due to injuries, and he has taken the moment and run with it. Vonnahme led the Hawkeyes with three receptions for 91 yards and a score against Nebraska.
On the year, the unlikely hero has reeled in 22 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns as he quickly became one of Mark Gronowski's favorite and most-trusted targets. The freshman from Breda, Iowa, has stepped into the spotlight and should only continue to get better.
Kamari Moulton had his moment
Nov 28, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) is hoisted by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn ImagesIt has been overdue, but Kamari Moulton had his moment in the spotlight, which was much deserved after grinding out tough yards all year long. He led Iowa with 93 yards rushing and plunged into the end zone twice on the day to help Iowa pull away.
Replacing Kaleb Johnson was never going to be easy, but Moulton stepped up to the plate and embraced the role this year for Iowa. He often churned out the ugly, hard yards, but those yards kept drives alive, kept the clock running, and deserve all the credit in the world. He ends the regular season with 783 yards rushing at five yards per carry.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIowa dominated its rivals this year
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - NOVEMBER 28: Matt Rhule of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes meet on the field before the game at Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)Does any team in America enjoy and embrace rivalries more than the Iowa Hawkeyes? The 2025 season was a masterclass on destroying your rivals and not leaving any doubt. Iowa beat Wisconsin 37-0. They beat Minnesota 41-3. They handled Nebraska 40-16.
Iowa won all three Big Ten protected rivalries by a combined score of 118-99. The Hawkeyes outscored Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nebraska by 99 points. That is pure rivalry domination.
Iowa continues to be among an elite group
Nov 28, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes hoist the Heroes Trophy after defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn ImagesJust how much does Iowa win? Over the last 10 full seasons, as reported by Ben Stevens, Iowa is just one of five programs in America that have won at least eight games every year. That group consists of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
So, while there is clamoring for Kirk Ferentz to be gone, a change in the program culture, a revamping of the playing style, let's stop and ask one question. If Iowa is one of the five best programs at winning games over the last decade, can that grass really be greener on the other side? Or are the Iowa Hawkeyes already enjoying some of the greenest grass?
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: One-Sided Affair: Takeaways as Iowa football once again bests Nebraska
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