GP/GS
Career (15/1) [4/0]; 2003 (15/1) [4/0].

Career Highlights

• Started all 48 contests during his four seasons, a total that ranked third in the nation for consecutive starts by an offensive lineman, and helped Iowa improve from a 1-10 record as a freshman in 1999 to 11-2 his senior year in 2002.
  
• Walk-on who converted from tight end to start at left tackle and left guard during his first two seasons before moving to center for his final two years.
  

College
2002: Recognized as a third-team All-America by The Associated Press, a first-team All-Big Ten choice and a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to college football's best center, Bruce started all 13 games and was a member of an offensive line that allowed only 12 sacks, helping quarterback Brad Banks finish second in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. He contributed to an offense that set Hawkeyes single-season records with 484 points, 60 touchdowns and an average of 37.2 points per game as the Hawkeyes boasted an 11-2 record and shared the Big Ten championship with Ohio State. 2001: Chosen honorable mention All-Big Ten by coaches and academic All-Big Ten for the second consecutive season, Bruce changed positions to start all 12 games at center and was a member of an offense that led the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 32.6 points. The unit averaged 393.5 yards of total offense, 175.3 yards rushing and 218.2 yards passing and running back Ladell Betts surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the second consecutive season. 2000: An honorable mention All-Big Ten choice by coaches and academic All-Big Ten selection, Bruce started all 12 games. He started the season opener versus Kansas State at left tackle, the remaining 11 contests at left guard and was part of an offensive line that cleared the way for running back Ladell Betts to total 1,090 yards rushing. 1999: Named third-team freshman All-America by The Sporting News, Bruce was moved to the offensive line during spring drills and started all 11 games at left tackle and helped Iowa average 388.2 yards of total offense over the sesaon's final five games and running back Ladell Betts earn second-team All-Big Ten recognition after rushing for 857 yards. 1998: Bruce was redshirted after joining the team as a walk-on tight end.

Personal
Bruce attended Emmetsburg (IA) HS where he earned all-state honors as a tight end his senior year as part of the team that claimed the state championship. An all-state choice at defensive end his junior year, he also served as the team's kicker. Additinally, Bruce lettered in track and field, basketball and baseball. Bruce Edward Nelson majored in business finance and has a fiancée, Jana Huberty.