History of Iowa–Nebraska football rivalry in Timeline

The Iowa–Nebraska football rivalry is an annual American college football game played between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Contested annually on Black Friday, it has become a significant tradition for both universities and their fans.

1979: Nebraska Defeats Iowa

In 1979, No. 7 Nebraska overcame a two-touchdown second-half deficit to beat unranked Iowa, resulting in a standing ovation from fans of both teams.

1990: Nebraska's Thanksgiving Rivalry Game Begins

Since 1990, Nebraska has played a rivalry game on the day after Thanksgiving, initially against Oklahoma and later against Colorado.

1999: Nebraska Dominates Iowa

In 1999, Nebraska achieved a dominant victory over Iowa.

2000: Nebraska Dominates Iowa Again

In 2000, Nebraska achieved another dominant victory over Iowa.

2011: Nebraska Joins Big Ten Conference

In 2011, Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference.

2011: Iowa Becomes Nebraska's Black Friday Opponent

In 2011, when the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten Conference, Iowa became Nebraska's traditional Black Friday opponent and the "Heroes Game" was established.

2014: Nebraska Fires Bo Pelini

In 2014, Nebraska fired Bo Pelini one day after a regular season-finale win over the Hawkeyes.

2017: Big Ten Announces Change to Iowa-Nebraska Game

In 2017, the Big Ten announced that the Iowa–Nebraska game would not take place on Black Friday in 2020 or 2021, but this decision was later reverted after pushback.

2020: Scheduled Black Friday game averted

In 2017, the Big Ten announced that the Iowa–Nebraska game would not take place on Black Friday in 2020 or 2021, but this decision was later reverted after pushback, leading to a scheduled game on Black Friday in 2020.