By Tommy Rezac
Nebraska (4-7, 3-5 Big Ten) is all but mathematically eliminated from bowl eligibility for only the third time since 1969.
The Huskers will have to lean on three things for motivation on Black Friday:
- Senior Day.
- Beating Iowa for the first time since 2014.
- Have Coach Riley’s (likely) last game as head coach be a victory. He’s 0-2 against Iowa thus far.
The Hawkeyes (6-5, 3-5 Big Ten) will come into Lincoln licking their own wounds. Iowa has lost two in a row, including a 24-15 setback against Purdue at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.
Sr. LB Chris Weber said after Nebraska’s 56-44 loss to No. 10 Penn State that he and 21 other seniors are poised to go out on a high note.
“All of these other seniors want to leave on Friday with a win against a team’s that gotten the better out of us the last few years,” Weber said. “They’re going to be hungry for a win, too. We’re excited for that, but I want to go out the right way. I want to finish my career the right way.”
Iowa has beaten Nebraska in three of the last four seasons. Nebraska still leads the all-time series 29-15-3.
Depth Chart and Injury Update
Jr. S Aaron Williams (neck) is hopeful for Saturday. Coach Riley said he felt “sore” after Saturday’s game.
Jr. RB Devine Ozigbo sprained his ankle against the Nittany Lions. He is questionable for Friday.
RFr. WR J.D. Spielman reinjured his shoulder in the first half, but is hopeful to play against Iowa. Spielman played through the injury well with six catches for 96 yards.
Who Stood Out
Riley commended Tanner Lee, Stanley Morgan, De’Mornay Pierson-El and J.D. Spielman for their efforts offensively, particularly in the second half. Nebraska had 389 yards of offense in the second half after only 77 in the first. Nebraska also outscored Penn State 34-14 in the final two quarters.
Another player to receive recognition was RFr. TE Jack Stoll, who caught his second career touchdown on the final play of the game.
“Physically, he’s a great fit,” Riley said. “Knowing what he’s doing, he’s going to be good.”
Handling outside speculation
These days, it seems like everyone has a friend of a friend of somebody’s half-brother who’s high up in the athletic department that’s heard their own version of Scott Frost or Chip Kelly or Paul Campbell taking over as Nebraska’s next head coach after the Iowa game.
The team has said it already this year; they don’t live in a vacuum. They can’t totally avoid the speculation, but their man at the top continues to dodge it with the utmost respect.
“I’m just trying to focus on this game,” Riley said. “I think we owe our kids the energy of this preparation. I think that for every coach and player, in adverse circumstances, you can do a lot for who you are by what you put in.”
Through all of the speculation and hardship of this season, Riley has maintained his upbeat persona and overall optimism.
“I think everybody probably has a vision for what they think leadership is,” Riley said. “What they think is important for a group of young men. I really don’t see any need at being angry at anybody in particular. I was brought up in coaching in a way that if it’s not working, then it’s our job to try and fix it, so the focus goes on that.”
Closing in on 1,000
Stanley Morgan, who finished with a career-high 185 receiving yards on seven catches against Penn State, is just 88 yards away from becoming the first receiver in program history to have 1,000 yards receiving in a single season.
“He’s very competitive,” Riley said. “He uses his attributes well. He’s strong, he’s physical and he’s pretty much fearless. He’ll go play.”
Black Fridays and Rivalries
Riley said it “feels right” to play Iowa every year on Black Friday.
“Don’t you guys think it should be that way?” he asked reporters.
Riley said beating Iowa was a big topic in a team meeting on Sunday.
“This is just a great opportunity for this team to get that level of satisfaction of winning a game at the end, but also for beating Iowa. Let’s focus on Iowa. Let’s beat Iowa. This is that kind of game for us.”
Reflecting
Riley was asked what he’s appreciated the most in what’s nearly three full seasons as Nebraska’s head coach.
“I’ve really appreciated the growth of the program part of the culture of the team,” Riley said. “I’ve really appreciated the people here. For Dee and I, it was an easy place to move into. People are as advertised. So, that part of it, I really appreciate that comfort, and walking around town like we did so often, and then settling in, and getting to be a part of this. Walking out in that stadium, you will never get tired of that.”
Additional Audio
You can contact Tommy at 402-840-5226, or you can follow him on Twitter @Tommy_KLIN.
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