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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michelle R. Martinelli

Iowa kicker Marshall Meeder nailed his first Hawkeyes FG to stun Nebraska in the most Big Ten game of the year

Nebraska Iowa Hawkeyes Big Ten Matt Rhule Football Central Michigan

Phewwww, Iowa and Nebraska. What just happened?

That was some bonkers football — though the ultimate display of Big Ten West chaos — Friday afternoon with both teams seemingly trying to be as tumultuous as humanly possible while also hitting the lowest under in college football history.

There were wild plays and blocked field goals, and the two teams traded interceptions late in the fourth quarter with the game tied at 10.

With about 40 seconds left, Nebraska picked off Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill, but then seconds later, Iowa returned the favor and picked off Cornhuskers passer Chubba Purdy. Iowa defensive lineman Ethan Hurkett returned the interception 10 yards to Nebraska’s 37-yard line, setting up the Hawkeyes’ game-winning drive.

RELATED: Matt Rhule wildly gesturing on Nebraska’s sideline quickly became a Thanksgiving meme

And on second-and-15 with four seconds left in the fourth quarter, Iowa brought in kicker Marshall Meeder, a transfer from Central Michigan who had not kicked a field goal all season for the Hawkeyes.

But he stepped up big — especially after Iowa previously suffered two blocked field goal attempts — and kicked the 38-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, delivering a 13-10 victory.

Iowa notched a 10-win season ahead of next weekend’s Big Ten championship game while also keeping Nebraska ineligible for a bowl game.

After the game, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Meeder had been solid and consistent in practice, and he felt he was the best guy for the job with the game on the line.

Meeder was immediately hailed as an Iowa legend after helping his team secure the Heroes Trophy in the Nebraska rivalry.

And college football fans couldn't get enough of the backup kicker, praising his walk-off field goal:

More NCAAF

See Michigan DB Rod Moore's game-winning interception to secure third straight win vs. Ohio State

The LSU marching band honored Jayden Daniels with a Heisman Trophy formation at halftime

J.J. McCarthy comforted Zak Zinter’s parents after the Michigan lineman’s brutal injury

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