In celebration of reclaiming the Freedom Trophy after Nebraska’s lone win since 2014 two years ago, Iowa players waved goodbye to the Huskers and their fans, wishing them, “Merry Christmas,” before Nebraska stayed at home in bowl season for a seventh consecutive year.

Higgins was right, as the Nebraska-sparked tension boiled over into the pregame coin toss. As Iowa's captains extended their arms for a traditional pregame handshake, the Huskers' captains refused to return the favor, collectively looking down or blankly ahead. Spicy.

A handshake snub set the stage for Iowa’s narrow victory over Nebraska, but the real drama unfolded on and off the field in this heated rivalry.