IowaSim20: Iowa vs. Nebraska

Join us as we follow Cody Hills and the #IowaSim20 this season to preview each game as the Hawkeyes work their way through the 2020 schedule.

Since Cody started the #IowaSim in 2013, it is 72-17 in correctly picking the winner of each week's game and 3-2 so far in the 2020 season.

---

After winning the coin toss, the virtual Hawkeyes elected to receive and were in good field position right away after a 43-yard kickoff return by Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Working their way downfield through the running game with Tyler Goodson, the Iowa offense quickly found itself inside the red zone. Then, rolling to his right, quarterback Spencer Petras found Smith-Marsette in the back of the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown pass to give the Hawkeyes an early 7-0 lead.

With Adrian Martinez getting the start at quarterback for the virtual Huskers, the Nebraska offense came out onto the field for their first possession. They were able to work their past midfield, but then Martinez ran into trouble, throwing an interception to Iowa defensive back Dane Belton, which he returned 78 yards for a touchdown to extend the Hawkeyes' lead to 14-0.

With the Huskers' offense going nowhere, the Hawkeyes were able to get the ball back and drive into field goal range for Keith Duncan. The All-American kicker's attempt was good from 35 yards to give Iowa a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw less fireworks than the first, but the Hawkeyes were able to add to their lead with another field goal by Duncan, who this time split the uprights from 40 yards to give Iowa a 20-0 lead with 4:44 remaining before halftime.

That is where the score remained going into halftime, as Iowa's defense was able to stop Nebraska on its final possession of the second quarter with a key sack from defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, as the Hawkeyes headed into the locker room with a 20-0 lead.

After halftime, it was Luke McCaffrey taking over at quarterback for the Huskers as virtual Scott Frost looked for a spark to get his offense going. The Iowa defense had a different idea, however, as they continued their dominant performance in the game, forcing another three and out.

On its first possession of the second half, Iowa's offense was able to move into field goal range again and in came virtual Keith Duncan for another attempt. This time it was from 49 yards and Duncan's kick was good to make the score Iowa 23, Nebraska 0.

With Nebraska's offense back out on the field desperately looking for some points, it was the Iowa defense that came up with another huge play as linebacker Seth Benson forced a fumble from Husker running back Marvin Scott III, which safety Kaevon Merriweather picked up and returned 59 yards for a touchdown. That gave Iowa a 30-0 lead and it looked like the rout was officially on.

Finally, early in the fourth quarter, Nebraska's offense was able to get something going as the Huskers went on a long drive that ended with running back Marvin Scott III running up the middle for a touchdown to cut Iowa's lead down to 30-7.

The Hawkeyes were quick to strike right back, however, as the Iowa offense moved the ball right down the field and then gave it to running back Mekhi Sargent, who scored on a bruising 25-yard touchdown run to put his team back up by 30 points at 37-7

With Iowa bringing in the second team defense, Nebraska was able to score once more in the fourth quarter as McCaffrey hit Wan’Dale Robinson for a 51-yard touchdown pass to make the score Iowa 37, Nebraska 14 with just over one minute remaining.

From there, the Hawkeyes ran out the clock and that was the final score, a Hawkeye win 37-14 over Nebraska.

Iowa kicker Keith Duncan was named player of the game with a perfect performance on the day, making 3/3 field goals and 4/4 extra point attempts, as he continues to be a thorn in Nebraska's side.

Season record in correctly picking the outcome: 3-2

Career record in correctly picking the outcome: 72-17