The Iowa vs. Nebraska Black Friday clash tilted the Hawkeyes’ way, 40-16. But fans erupted against the game officials for apparently overlooking a targeting call on linebacker Karson Sharar, who launched a helmet-to-helmet blow into receiver Jacory Barney Jr, jarring the ball loose and triggering a subsequent safety that handed the Hawkeyes a 26-16 lead.
Here’s how fans exploded on social media after the apparent non-call that left everyone shaken.
How Did the Fans React to the Apparent Targeting Non-Call In the Iowa vs. Nebraska Game?
Iowa was up 24-16 at the start of the third quarter. They had possession of the ball first. The Hawkeyes were forced to punt after Mark Gronowski’s pass didn’t reach its intended receiver. The officials recalled Iowa’s first punt after they were flagged for illegal shift.
Punter Rhys Dakin re-punted the ball from Iowa’s 37-yard line. Nebraska returner Barney bobbled the catch, giving ample time for Sharar to charge towards him and hit his helmet. Eventually, the hit forced a fumble that led to the ball running loose into the end zone, and a Nebraska player held onto the ball, giving up a safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS DISASTER
Nebraska muffs the punt and falls on it in the end zone for the safety pic.twitter.com/XwkrJcshZ3
— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) November 28, 2025
However, college football fans expressed shock at why the contact was let go. An Iowa fan, despite being happy with the result of the game, couldn’t hide his displeasure over the horrible officiating of the encounter. He wrote: “As an Iowa fan I will say these refs are terrible.”
As an Iowa fan I will say these refs are terrible
— Dale Doback (@DDoback48) November 28, 2025
One user expressed dismay over the no-call, tweeting: “If that wasn’t a targeting then I don’t know what targeting is. Launched. Led with crown. What a joke.”
If that wasn’t a targeting then I don’t know what targeting is. Launched. Led with crown. What a joke.
— Michelle Hecox (@HecoxMichelle) November 28, 2025
A Nebraska sports website was surprised by the referee’s no-decision, saying: “Wow. That was targeting. Should be Nebraska ball.”
Wow. That was targeting. Should be Nebraska ball
— Husker Wave (@HuskerWave) November 28, 2025
A retired college athlete and a Cornhuskers and Packers fan ranted on Big 10 Conference officials, accusing them of bias towards Iowa. He opined: “@B1Gfootball @B1Gfootball Iowa have dirt on you guys or something? I don’t understand how they get away with everything.”
@B1Gfootball @B1Gfootball Iowa have dirt on you guys or something? I don’t understand how they get away with everything.
— Kolin Brooks (@Kolin_Brooks1) November 28, 2025
Another fan noted the conference should be ashamed of the officiating. He wrote: “The B1G should be embarrassed about how egregious this officiating is. It is always obvious when Nebraska plays Iowa or Northwestern. With how gambling has been integrated into the sport, you cannot have officiating this bad. #Huskers #IOWAvsNEB.”
The B1G should be embarrassed about how egregious this officiating is. It is always obvious when Nebraska plays Iowa or Northwestern. With how gambling has been integrated into the sport, you cannot have officiating this bad. #Huskers #IOWAvsNEB https://t.co/na1YnGCWca
— Derek Johnson (@DerekJohnson05) November 28, 2025
The loss impacted Nebraska coach Matt Rhule more, as it dropped him to 2-10 in November during his tenure with the Cornhuskers, despite the team concluding the season with a 7-5 record.
MORE: Fans Demand Matt Rhule’s Firing As Nebraska Suffers Embarrassing Iowa Loss
Iowa, on the other hand, ended the 2025 regular season with an 8-4 mark. It was special for Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski, who set an all-time program record for rushing touchdowns made by a QB in a single season with 15.
He also broke the all-time Hawkeye quarterback rushing yards record set by Ken Ploen (487 yards in 1956), and it currently stands at 491 rushing yards.
Single season rushing title for an Iowa QB is secured!
Gronowski surpassed Ken Pleon (1956), Wilburn Hollis (1960), and Ed Podolak (1966) in today’s game. https://t.co/2PTvUll1nh
— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) November 28, 2025
Gronowski’s 15 rushing touchdowns tied him with Sedrick Shaw (1995) and Marcus Coker (2011) for the fifth-most in a single season in school history, regardless of position. Kaleb Johnson holds the single-season rushing touchdowns record with 21, which he made last season.
With a bowl game remaining, the quarterback has a chance to widen his QB rushing touchdown record and move closer to other players in the all-time Hawkeyes list.
