Iowa has been on a roller coaster this season, never winning more than two games in a row. The Hawkeyes look good at times, shaky at other times. But their one constant has been senior wide receiver Marvin McNutt, one of the Big Ten's best offensive weapons. McNutt has established himself as quite possibly the best receiver in Iowa history, setting team records for single-season receiving yardage (1,240), career receiving yardage (2,786), single-season touchdown receptions (12) and career scoring receptions (28). He needs 12 more receptions to become Iowa's career leader and set every meaningful receiving record at the school. McNutt has recorded six or more receptions in nine of 11 games, has eight 100-yard receiving performances this year and four games with multiple touchdown receptions. Amazingly, he was left off of the list of semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award.

ESPN.com caught up earlier this week with McNutt, who later today will lead Iowa into the inaugural Heroes Game against No. 21 Nebraska in Lincoln (ABC, noon ET).

Every week, it seems like you're setting a new record. What do these records mean to you?

Marvin McNutt: It definitely has a lot of great history behind it. The guys who I beat for those records, those are great receivers and great Hawkeyes. Just to be a part of that, in itself, is a great honor. But at the moment, though, you try not to reflect on it because you still have part of the season left to play.

Which record means the most to you?

MM: They all have a great meaning, just the fact of each time you set a record, from where I began, as a quarterback, it definitely means a lot.

What has it been like this year being an older guy with a mostly young team that has had some ups and downs?

MM: It's one of those things where you never like losses, but you love being able to see the type of fight and the way the team handles adversity. With this team, they've handled it better than any team I've ever been around. They continue to fight and never give up.

How has this team handled adversity better than other teams you've been on?

MM: They're mature and they know that with the losses we're taking, they've always seemed to bounce back and continue to get better.

With Nebraska coming up, do you sense how big this game is for the guys on your team and for the fans? Is it a potential rivalry?

MM: Definitely. It is a rivalry game, definitely a big game. We're just excited to play another game.

What do you anticipate facing Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard? He's a guy a lot of people project to the NFL, just like you.

MM: Like any other collegiate athlete, he's a great competitor. I'm looking forward to being able to go out and compete against him every play.

A lot of Iowa fans were really upset when you didn't make the Biletnikoff Award semifinalist list. What's your reaction?

MM: I don't play just for individual awards. Hopefully, they come and go, but it's not my main focus. I try to focus on trying to get the wins for my team. If it happens, that'd be great, but at the same time, I'm not going to get too upset about it because I don't control those things. I'm just here to play football.

How close were you to making the jump to the NFL after last season?

MM: It was like a 50-50 chance. Toward the end of my decision, I decided it would be best for me to go back to school and graduate. I'm definitely still happy I made that decision. My family and I, we prayed about it, and it just feels like the right direction. I try not to look toward the future and just go day by day, live in the moment. Right now, my main focus is Nebraska, not about the next level, so I try not to even think about it.

You came to Iowa as a quarterback and you competed for a starting job before moving to receiver. How has that helped you as far as building chemistry with quarterbacks, having understood what they go through?

MM: It definitely helped early on, to be able to know where I'm supposed to be and know what type of defense they're showing. It helped me read the defenses and made it easier for me to know where I needed to be on the field.

Do you have a favorite catch from this season?

MM: No, not yet. I'll probably be able to look back and may be able to tell you what my favorite one was after the season.

That one against Michigan State was pretty wild.

MM: Oh yeah, that would definitely be up there right now. I just went up and made the catch. Got a good release and made a break to the ball. I knew I had to get into the zone and catch it, and that's what happened. You always have to be ready for anything and try to catch any ball that comes your way. If you can get your hands on it, you should catch it.

How would you like to be remembered at Iowa? What do you want your legacy to be?

MM: Hopefully, that I did the best I could as a leader, as well as that I went here and got my degree. I can look back and say that I was a good Hawkeye, and I'm just a part of Hawkeye history.