(HawkeyeSports.com) — Senior Chauncey Golston’s sack and Zach VanValkenberg’s fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter sealed the University of Iowa football team’s 26-20 victory over Nebraska in the Heroes Game on Friday inside Kinnick Stadium.
After Keith Duncan’s 51-yard field goal hit off the cross bar, Nebraska took over at the 32 yard-line with 2:02 remaining. The Huskers picked up two first downs, setting up a first-and-10 from the Iowa 39.
On the next play, Golston blew past Husker right guard Matt Farniok, knocking the ball free from Adrian Martinez. VanValkenberg recovered the fumble in mid-air at the Iowa 48 to seal the Hawkeyes’ sixth straight victory in the series.
Iowa has won four straight games to improve to 4-2 this season.
Nebraska out-gained Iowa, 338-322, in the game and the Huskers had advantages in both passing (195-193) and rushing (143-129) yards, but the Hawkeyes had a nine-plus minute advantage in time of possession.
Sophomore Tyler Goodson paced Iowa’s rushing attack with his fourth career 100-yard game. He finished with 111 yards on a career-high 30 attempts.
Sophomore Spencer Petras completed 18-of-30 attempts for 193 yards with one touchdown – a 6-yarder to Tyrone Tracy, Jr. Sophomore Sam LaPorta had a team-high five receptions for 38 yards, while seven different receivers caught passes.
Defensively, senior Nick Niemann had 12 tackles, while senior Matt Hankins made nine stops (six solo). Iowa finished with three sacks – by Daviyon Nixon, Seth Benson, and Golston – and seven total tackles for loss.
Martinez finished 18-of-20 for 174 yards to lead the Huskers, while Wan’Dale Robinson and backup quarterback Luke McCaffrey both had 42 rushing yards. Robinson also had a game-high nine receptions for 75 yards.
The Hawkeyes play at Illinois on Saturday, Dec. 5.
