Husker Coordinators Discuss the Unchanging Iowa Hawkeyes

When Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen was at Texas Tech in the 2000s, Iowa football played a certain way. In 2025, that style has not changed.

"It ain't no different than 2001 when I was at Texas Tech and played these guys in the Alamo Bowl," Holgorsen said at Tuesday's media availability. "It's just been the same forever. For them to be able to sustain it like they have is something that's very unique and probably never going to be duplicated again."

Holgorsen said that an unchanging philosophy from the Hawkeyes means looking back at tape is more helpful than against other opponents.

"Same as it was last year," Holgorsen said. "They're a plug-and-play team. I thought they had really good players last year, and the ones that they lost, they replaced them with really good players this year. It ain't real tricky; they're just sound with everything that they do."

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen before the 2025 Cincinnati game — Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator John Butler said his squad didn't have its best day against Penn State and "quickly moved on to Iowa." Butler echoed Holgorsen's sentiment in that the Hawkeyes do what they do year in and year out.

"Iowa does what they do," Butler said. "I've watched over the last couple days, back when I was at Penn State playing in Iowa. I watched when I was at, Minnesota play in Iowa. I watched us
play in Iowa last year. And the only thing that changes are the names on the back of the jerseys.

"But in terms of how they play, I legitimately went up and watched the 2010, I believe, Minnesota-Iowa game last night, and it's essentially they're going to line up. They're going to run the plays that they run out of the formations that they run them out of. They're going to know how to block every
front that you put out there."

Butler referenced head coach Matt Rhule saying it comes down to players making plays.

"This is a game that comes down to their players versus our players," Butler said. "We're not going to be over overly complicated on defense. Not to say that we really were. We might been a little bit too complicated last week just to try to stop the run, but we're going to line up and know that the run's coming and get off blocks and try to make tackles.

"Not try. We are going to do that and put our best foot forward."

The line of scrimmage between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

As for how the two coordinators feel about the rivalry, Holgorsen said, "It means a little more."

"It means a little bit more to the fan base," Holgorsen said. "I know it means a lot more to them. It means a lot to coach Rhule, the coaches, the players."

Holgorsen said coaching in the Iowa-Nebraska game last year "felt different," noting the rivalry games he's been in in the past with West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh and Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma.

"We're probably going to put a little bit more into it," Holgorsen said. "I can't explain what it is, but it just means more, these rival games."

Nebraska and Iowa will play on Friday at 11 a.m. CST. The game will be broadcast on CBS.

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You can watch the full media session from Tuesday below. Continue scrolling for more coverage.

Coverage

Husker247 | Hits from Holgorsen: 'It felt different,' the OC says of Nebraska-Iowa game
Husker247 | Nebraska DC John Butler Iowa week quick hits
Omaha World-Herald* | Why senior Heinrich Haarberg is excited for bowl reps 'more than anybody else'
Omaha World-Herald* | After Penn State 'buzzsaw,' Dana Holgorsen and John Butler both know Iowa 'ain't real tricky'
Lincoln Journal Star* | Wind, cold and possible snow: Huskers brace for another rugged Black Friday
HuskerOnline* | Coordinator report: John Butler assesses PSU ground assault: "I think they kicked our ass"
HuskerOnline* | Tuesday nuggets: Huskers talk Iowa, Senior Day emotions
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Hawkeye Report | Opponent Preview: Nebraska

More Info

Nebraska Football 2025 Schedule

Aug. 28 Nebraska 20, Cincinnati 17
Sep. 6 Nebraska 68, Akron 0
Sep. 13 Nebraska 59, Houston Christian 7
Sep. 20 Michigan 30, Nebraska 27
Oct. 4 Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27
Oct. 11 Nebraska 34, Maryland 31
Oct. 17 Minnesota 24, Nebraska 6
Oct. 25 vs. Northwestern 11 a.m. FS1
Nov. 1 USC 21, Nebraska 17
Nov. 8 Nebraska 28, UCLA 21
Nov. 22 at Penn State 37, Nebraska 10
Nov. 28 (Black Friday) vs. Iowa 11 a.m. CBS

Home games are bolded. All times central.

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