Rivalry week in college football did not disappoint. There were some great games, some amazing finishes, and some unfortunate situations that unfolded. But that is what happens when two teams...heck, two states simply don't like each other. And it is what happened on Friday when Iowa hosted Nebraska.
Before each football game, it is customary for the captains of each team to meet at centerfield. They shake hands, exchange greetings, and then stay for the coin toss. On Friday night, Iowa captains extended their hands, and the Nebraska players decided not to return the courtesy. Sports Illustrated reports that Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins then spilled some dirt on Nebraska head coach Matt Ruhle. He said that the Cornhusker head coach walked through Iowa's pregame warmup. Then after an encounter on the Nebraska sideline, SI reports that Higgins warned Ruhle about the handshake mistake.
When has a team acting like this ever turned out in its favor? Nebraska found out again that while it may have had the better football team on Friday, it didn't have the better leaders on that team. The Hawkeye made some huge plays in the 4th quarter and kicker Drew Stevens sealed Nebraska's fate with a game-winning 53-yard field goal as time expired. And you better believe that Jay Higgins went looking for coach Ruhle to get his handshake!
The Cedar Rapids Gazette posted a video interview with Higgins after the game along with fellow linebacker Nick Jackson. The two said that given what happened during pregame, they knew what kind of game it was going to be. Jackson also asked if anyone could imagine Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz letting his players behave in such a manner. The answer is a resounding 'No.'
It all comes down to what kind of culture you want to build. Iowa under Kirk Ferentz not only has a culture of winning, but winning the right way. With hard work and sportsmanship. If you lose, you shake hands and move on to the next game. Friday was not a good look for Nebraska football, and it had nothing to do with the final score.