CLARK GRELL
Lincoln Journal Star
Following Iowa's 28-21 win against Nebraska on Friday, Steven M. Sipple and Parker Gabriel went live on Facebook to discuss the game and take your questions.
Lincoln Journal Star
After losing to Iowa 28-21, Scott Frost was asked about whether or not he'll hire a full-time special teams coordinator in the offseason.
Friday was not the day to talk about staffing, the fourth-year Husker football coach said.
But everyone leaving Stadium Drive was talking about more bad special teams play.
When Iowa's Henry Marchese came off the left edge to block William Przystup's punt early in the fourth quarter, it completely flipped the latest Huskers-Hawkeyes showdown and created one more special teams blunder for Frost and his staff to gnaw on during the upcoming offseason.
This one perhaps stung the hardest for a team in desperate need of momentum going into the offseason.
The ball was blocked into the air, Kyler Fisher caught it and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown to give life to an Iowa team that was teetering.
That was the game, Frost said afterward.
"It is not new this year," he said. "I need to do a better job making sure that we are up to speed on that, and I think we made a lot of progress, but I do not know if the timing was off or if we were late or somebody missed an assignment."
Frost said the look in his players' eyes after the punt bugaboo remained great. They still believed they were going to win the game, he added.
"I am sure they believed it when it was 21-9," the coach added. "Then the blocked punt happened, it was probably human nature they have it in the back of their head, and wins take care of that."
Nebraska players said the play didn't shake their confidence.
"It's just another one of those things that happens that we try so hard to not let happen," Husker defensive lineman Casey Rogers said. "Energywise, we were still in the game, the defense was playing hard and dominating the game, it didn't really change anything.
"It made it more a challenge. Go back out there and put out the fire."
The Huskers, however, couldn't put out the fire. Iowa scored 19 fourth-quarter points, all unanswered, to steal a victory.
“Obviously that was when they started to score," NU's Ben Stille said of the impact of the blocked punt. "We had two chances to get off the field on two scoring drives in the first half on two interceptions, so that also kills us.â€
Iowa saw something in NU's punt protection that led to a game-turning play. Marchese told reporters after the game that Iowa's punt block team practiced the attack all week if NU was punting from the left hash mark, and got a feel for the Huskers' cadence.
The Hawkeyes had an overwhelming edge in the game's third phase coming in, and it was on great display on Black Friday.
Caleb Shudak drilled four field goals to keep the Hawkeyes in the game. And Iowa's Tory Taylor, who has a knack for deadening punts inside the 5-yard line, coaxed Oliver Martin to fair-catch a ball at the NU 7 with 10:37 remaining, and two points followed after Logan Smothers was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone.
Nebraska's special teams lapses this season piled up enough to likely have made them a topic of conversation at dinner tables from Omaha to Chadron on Thanksgiving Day.
It started in the season opener against Illinois when Cam Taylor-Britt mishandled a punt return. It continued at Michigan State (punt return for a touchdown) and just last week at Wisconsin, where the Badgers returned the opening kick for a score.
The place-kicker situation was never settled.
It all adds up to an interesting offseason for Frost, who has several personnel decisions to make regarding the makeup of his coaching staff.
Photos: Check out the sights from Nebraska and Iowa's latest Black Friday clash
Iowa's Jermari Harris (with ball) celebrates his interception with teammates Dane Belton (left) and Jack Koerner (right) join in the closing moments of the Hawkeyes' 28-21 win over Nebraska on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa's Jermari Harris (bottom) intercepts a pass from Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers as the Hawkeyes' Dane Belton celebrates the turnover in the closing moments of Iowa's 28-21 victory Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers gets wrapped up by Iowa's Lukas Van Ness (91) before throwing the ball from the end zone in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium. Smothers was called for intentional grounding and the play resulted in a safety for Iowa.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers was up-and-down in his last start in a Husker uniform, aÌý28-21 loss to Iowa on Nov. 26, 2021. Will he see an expanded role Saturday?
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska defensive lineman Ben Stille walks off the field for the last time after the Huskers lost to Iowa 28-21 on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa's Tyler Goodson looks over his shoulder as he runs for a 55-yard gain against Nebraska in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Ben Stille walks off the field after the Huskers' 28-21 loss to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa players celebrate an interception by Jermari Harris (27) in the fourth quarter against Nebraska on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Spencer Petras (from right), Jeremy Chaplin and Arland Bruce celebrate Petras' fourth-quarter touchdown against Nebraska on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) looks around the field as he walks off for the last time after the Huskers lost 28-21 to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) is emotional as he walks off the field for the last time after the Huskers lost 28-21 to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) pats his heart as he walks off the field for the last time after the Huskers lost 28-21 to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa's Charlie Jones gets tackled by Nebraska's Phalen Sanford (37) in the first quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Logan Smothers gets tackled Iowa's Jermari Harris (27) in the second quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) has a conversation with Husker linebacker Caleb Tannor (2) after Tannor was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct in the first half against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant (0) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Iowa on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. College football guru Phil Steele predicts the Huskers average over 33 points per game this season.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Isaac Gifford (left) breaks up a pass intended for Iowa's Nico Ragaini (29) on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.Ìý
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska's Ty Robinson (99) celebrates his sack of Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla (8) in the first quarterÌýon Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) dives into the end zone for the Huskers first touchdown against Iowa in the first quarter Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska's Casey Rogers (right) celebrates a second-quarter sack of Iowa's Alex Padilla (8) on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's TY Robinson (99) and Nick Henrich (42) celebrate Robinson's sack in the first quarter against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Logan Smothers runs with the ball in the first quarter against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Logan Smothers warms up before a game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) watches his replacement Logan Smothers during pregame warmups before taking on Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez tosses a ball during warmups before the Iowa game Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez watches warmups prior to the Iowa gameÌýon Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) warms up in front of injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) before taking Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) shakes hands with his replacement Logan Smothers during pregame warmups before taking on Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Logan Smothers (right) high-fives Mason McGranaghan, 10, from Omaha as he enters the stadium before their game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska players enter the stadium before the Iowa game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Logan Smothers enters the stadium before a game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Jordon Riley enters the stadium before the game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) pulls in the first-down reception despite the defense of Iowa's Kaevon Merriweather late in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Austin Allen (11) tries to hold off Iowa's Kaevon Merriweather (26) before being pushed out of bounds in the fourth quarter Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Logan Smothers (8) walks off the field after Iowa defeated Nebraska 28-21 onÌýFriday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Riley Moss (33) celebrates a sack of Nebraska's Logan Smothers in the fourth quarterÌýFriday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Brody Belt (32) drops an incomplete pass while being defended by Iowa's Seth Benson (44) in the fourth quarterÌýFriday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras (7) scores what would be the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against Nebraska onÌýFriday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) reacts to the official's penalty call of pass interference in the third quarterÌýFriday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant (0) dives into the end zone for a second-quarter touchdown against Iowa onÌýFriday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Quinton Newsome (left) breaks up a pass intended for Iowa's Keagan Johnson in the third quarter on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. Johnson, a Bellevue West grad, entered the transfer portal on Thursday and could be a target for the new coaching staff.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska coach Scott Frost shakes hands with Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz (right) after Iowa defeated Nebraska 28-21 on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Iowa tight end Luke Lachey (85) attempts to break through Nebraska's Quinton Newsome (6) and Luke Reimer (28) in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Caleb Shudak (10) kicks a field goal in the third quarter against Nebraska onÌýFriday, Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras (7) passes over a leaping Luke Reimer (28) during a Nov. 26, 2021, game at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Iowa's Kyler Fisher (37) scores a touchdown after blocking Nebraska's William Przystup's punt as his teammates Sebastian Castro (29) and Jay Higgins (34) celebrate in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa's Kyler Fisher (37) scores a touchdown on punt by Nebraska'sÌýWilliam Przystup that Iowa blocked as the Hawkeyes' Sebastian Castro (29), Mike Timm (36) and Jay Higgins celebrate in the fourth quarterÌýFriday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) pulls in a pass late in the fourth quarter against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) attempts a pass over rush of Iowa's Lukas Van Ness in the first quarterÌýFriday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) watches the Huskers in the fourth quarter against Iowa on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) celebrates his third-quarter touchdown against Iowa with Husker center Cam Jurgens (51) on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen runs downfield after catching a pass against Iowa in the third quarter Friday, Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska receiver Omar Manning looks for running room against Iowa's Jack Koerner after catching a pass last November at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras (7) gets protection from his offensive line as Nebraska's Garrett Nelson is pushed away by lineman Nick DeJong (56) in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Deontre Thomas (97) emerges from the pile with the ball fumbled by Iowa in the third quarter as teammate Ty Robinson (99) celebrates the turnover on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska'a Nick Henrich (left) chases after Iowa's Charlie Jones but can't stop him from taking the pass for a first down in the third quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska linebacker JoJo Domann (center) and his parents Teddi (left) and Craig Domann laugh at a comment from Huskers athletic director Trev Alberts during the Senior Day festivities before the Iowa game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Karen Stille, mother of Nebrsaka defensive lineman Ben Stille (right), wipes her eyes during the Huskers' Senior Day festivities before the Iowa game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) celebrates scoring a touchdown against Iowa with teammates Austin Allen and Cam Jurgens last season at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) has a conversation with Husker linebacker Caleb Tannor (2) after he was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty in the first half against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) throws a pass in the first half against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) throws a pass in the first half against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Iowa on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Samori Toure (3) gets tripped up by Iowa's Jack Koerner (28) as Riley Moss (33) comes in to finish the tackle in the first quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) draws a pass interference penalty against Iowa's Keagan Johnson in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Austin Allen adjusts his helmet before taking a photo with a fan after the Huskers' 28-21 loss to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska players including Garrett Nelson (44), Caleb Tannor (left) and Nick Henrich (42) celebrate a recovery of an Iowa fumble on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska fans cheer before the Iowa kicks off to open Friday's game at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt on Senior Day against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Brody Belt is forced out of bounds by Iowa's Seth Benson in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Black Hawk helicopters fly over Memorial Stadium before Nebraska plays Iowa in football on Friday.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Chase Contreraz (26) kicks an extra point being held by William Przystup (90) against Iowa in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
The Huskers take the field before their game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Fans exit the Memorial Stadium after the Nebraska football team's 28-21 loss to Iowa on Friday.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Casey Rogers (98) runs onto the field before the game against Iowa on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Iowa's Tyler Goodson (15) evades Nebraska's Marquel Dismuke (9) and Caleb Tannor (2) in the first quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets the Huskers' JoJo Domann (13) for Senior Day on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets injured Husker quarterback Adrian Martinez for Senior Day on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets the Huskers' Austin Allen for Senior Day on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's JoJo Domann (13) runs off the field at halftime of the Huskers' game against Iowa on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Zach VanValkenburg (97) and Logan Lee (85) celebrate VanValkenburg's sack of Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) in the fourth quarter on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska's Marvin Scott (21) gets stopped by a number of Iowa players in the first quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets the Huskers' Ben Stille for Senior Day on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Luke Reimer (28) lies on the ground after a failed tackle attempt on Iowa's Monte Pottebaum in the third quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant (0) dives into the end zone for a second-quarter touchdown against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Cam Jurgens (51) snaps the ball to Logan Smothers in the fourth quarter Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Austin Allen (11) gets pushed out of bounds by Iowa's Jack Koerner in the fourth quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Jack Plumb (79) keeps Nebraska's Garrett Nelson (44) away from quarterback Spencer Petras on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Iowa's Monte Pottebaum (38) gets taken down by several Nebraska players in the third quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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