Iowa vs. Nebraska: 5 Things We Learned about the Cornhuskers' Win over Iowa

The 7-5 (4-4 Big Ten) Iowa Hawkeyes traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska to face the 9-3 (5-3 Big Ten) No. 21 Nebraska Cornhuskers this Friday. What were billed as a newly found rivalry was all Cornhuskers' from the start.

The Nebraska defense held Iowa to only 270 total yards offense while the Nebraska offense earned 222 yards just on the ground. The Hawkeyes were looking to make a statement by winning their second upset of the season, but Nebraska was intent on not letting that happen.

Coming off a route at the hands of No. 18 Michigan just a week ago, no one really knew what Nebraska team would show up. With the defensive stature that Nebraska showed in the game, it will be interesting to watch how they carry this performance over into the bowl season.

Here are five things we learned from the Cornhuskers win over the Hawkeyes.

The Cornhuskers Have a Baller in Burkhead

Rex Burkhead had one of his worst showings since starting at Nebraska last week against No. 18 Michigan. He carried the ball only 10 times and only managed 36 yards on the ground with no scores. There was an apparent injury that Burkhead’s right foot that had carried over into the week.

Despite walking in a boot for the majority of the week, Burkhead was back in the groove today against the Hawkeyes. Burkhead was able to churn up 160 yards on the ground on 38 carries. His 38 carries were the most in Cornhusker history.

Burkhead has relatively quietly pushed towards 1,108 yards so far this season and 14 rushing touchdowns. The Cornhuskers have come to rely on his tenacity and powerful running style to move the offense.

Burkhead is a big reason that the Cornhuskers have been successful this season.

A New Rivalry Begins

When Nebraska made the move to the Big Ten, they lost their natural rivalries that had come to be looked for every season in the Big 12.

The Cornhuskers have found a new rival in the Iowa and look to build the geographically close conference opponent into one of the best in the country.

The Cornhuskers and Hawkeyes tabbed the game as the first “Heroes Game” as both teams honored citizen heroes from each state during a halftime presentation. This game will be billed as a rivalry in the future and will continue to bring quality football to the fans of both schools. 

Nebraska Is Better Than Their Losses Show

Nebraska finds itself in the third position in the Big Ten Legends division.

The Cornhuskers have lost games to No. 15 Michigan, No. 16 Wisconsin and Northwestern. The Northwestern loss was a shock; the rest were routes where Nebraska appeared to simply not show up.

The Cornhuskers finished their regular season with a win as they earned the victory today against the Hawkeyes and will look to go to a good bowl game to finish the season with a win.

The Capital One Bowl is a likely destination, but the Cornhuskers are just a few wins away from a Big Ten title shot.

Next year, the Cornhuskers will return the bulk of their squad and will look to build on this season’s success.

2012 looks like it could lead to a special season for the Huskers. 

Kenny Bell Is the Future on the Outside

Kenny Bell has only caught 24 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns this season. While the stats aren’t overwhelming, the freshman does lead the team in receptions and yards.

Bell has had some pretty good games this season for the Cornhuskers, but today was a bit of a coming out party for the talented freshman. He finished the game with five catches and 93 yards. His long went for 28.

With three years left in his career with the Cornhuskers, the expectations have to be high for Bell. Look for Bell’s name to be a continuous theme in the future for the Cornhuskers for years to come.

Bo Pelini Has the Cornhuskers Headed in the Right Direction

Bo Pelini came to Nebraska as a first-time head coach looking to rebuild a winning tradition in Lincoln. So far, he looks to be heading in the right direction. Pelini was a defensive coordinator at LSU prior to coming to Nebraska, and his penchant for tough defense has followed him to the Cornhuskers sideline.

Pelini has his Huskers at 9-3 and headed to a bowl game. With the talent that returns in 2012, the Huskers will have a legitimate shot at appearing in the Big Ten title game.

If Pelini continues with what is being built today, Nebraska will again be among the nation’s elite.