LINCOLN, Neb.— On the crown of each Iowa helmet, largely hidden from view, is a yellow decal inset with a three-letter acronym: ANF —America Needs Farmers.
At halftime here at Memorial Stadium, after Nebraska’s late field goal drew the Cornhuskers within four points and breathed life into the home crowd, Iowa players spoke to each other about the year since last season’s rivalry loss. That was strange Iowa, bizzaro Iowa, a collection of individuals rather than a family, players said.
Remember, they said: Football is an 11-man game. We are a 105-person family. Keep together, and let’s win as a team.