PLAYERS TO WATCH
–K Barret Pickering was the man responsible for every point Nebraska scored against Michigan State. He was 3-of-3 on his field goal attempts against the Spartans, which included a 47-yarder in the fourth-quarter comeback. It marked the first time all season that Pickering converted on multiple field goals without a miss. His three converted field goals are also a season-high for the freshman.
–RB Devine Ozigbo, for the second time in three games but just the third time in his last eight games, failed to reach 100 yards against Michigan State. He tallied 74 yards on 18 carries. He did, however, surpass 1,000 yards on the season as he’s racked up 1,032 in his senior season.
–DB Antonio Reed, a senior, has played some of his best football down the stretch of the season. Against Ohio State, he had seven tackles. Reed matched that effort and proved to be a significant difference-maker against Michigan State. In addition to seven tackles, he had two forced fumbles, a sack and an interception. His seven tackles matched his season high, while his sack was the first of the season and his pick was the second.
SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska leads the series 29-16-3 against Iowa. The Cornhuskers also hold the edge on the road, leading 10-7. Iowa, though, won last year’s meeting in dominant fashion 56-14.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Everyone kind of knows what is at stake here and we are excited for it. It will be a good challenge. There are a lot of similarities between what they do and what Michigan State has done in kind of the way they play. So that has kind of been a blessing, being able to kind of game-plan for that stuff, especially on a short week. It is definitely important for us for sure.” — LB Luke Gifford on facing Iowa
