Who would have thought that Nebraska football praying at midfield would be such an issue for so many of the Huskers' opponents? Last year, Colorado complained about the situation after their game against the Huskers and raised a bit of a ruckus just ahead of the contest.
Colorado had an excuse though. They may not have known what exactly the Huskers were doing. USC took it to another level needlessly when NU traveled to LA earlier this month. The Trojans actually went out and started a fight at midfield in the middle of the prayer.
But Iowa decided to scream, "hold my beer" as the Nebraska football team tried to do their weekly tradition ahead of the final regular season game of the year. The Hawkeyes sent armed police to stand at midfield and block access for the Nebraska football coaches and players.
Iowa's reaction to Nebraska football's midfield prayer is most ridiculous yet
There will be no meeting on 50 yd line. Odd how this has become a thing. pic.twitter.com/fFnhloycx0
— Damon Benning (@damonbenning) November 29, 2024
For NU's part, they just moved the pre-game prayer over to the endzone. It doesn't appear there was any fight or argument about the situation.
Nebraska held its usual pregame huddle in one end zone after law enforcement guarded the midfield logo. pic.twitter.com/vxtDEC7Wnm
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 29, 2024
Perhaps Iowa could have just asked Nebraska not to go to the 50-yard line if they had that big an issue with it. But instead, armed guards. As if NU was pulling a heist.
Looks like police officers are keeping the Nebraska players and coaches off the Hawkeye logo at midfield. pic.twitter.com/W8oHNwDP9Z
— Steve Marik (@Steve_Marik) November 29, 2024
College football is college football and rivalries tend to make things more heated. But if someone were to look up "over-the-top reaction to a midfield prayer" in the dictionary, it feels like there would be a picture of Iowa using weapons to make sure Nebraska football couldn't go there.