Iowa-Nebraska football: Jumping right to the chase
Advantage: Nebraska.
Every position group. Most position players during Friday’s 11 a.m. game against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium.
Special teams: Nebraska, although Hawkeye place-kicker Mike Meyer might have something to say about that.
Passing: Don’t even go there.
Rushing: See above.
Defense: Ditto.
Breaking down each category is meaningless, so instead, let’s just toss out some numbers and facts:
* Nebraska leads the Big Ten in rushing and total offense. The Huskers are second nationally in pass defense.
* Quarterback Taylor Martinez’s 2,631 rushing yards is third nationally among active quarterbacks.
* I-Back Rex Burkhead has had 13 games with 100 or more rushing yards, including 160 on 38 carries last season against Iowa. He supposedly is healthy again after being bothered by a left knee injury.
* I-Back Ameer Abdullah has 1,021 rushing yards this season. He also averages 13.9 yards yards per punt return, and 20.8 yards on kickoff returns.
* Kenny Bell averages 17.9 yards per reception, second in the Big Ten and eighth nationally.
* Defensive end Eric Martin has 7 ½ sacks.
* Nebraska is ranked 17th. Iowa has a 21-30 record against rated opponents since 1999.
* Iowa opponents have averaged 482.6 yards during the five-game losing streak.
* Iowa’s offensive average during the streak is 292.6 yards a game.
Advantage: Huskers
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
