Iowa Football: The Game, The Aftermath and Everything in Between

A quick look at last night’s stunning win over Michigan

It happened. In a game where people, myself included, gave Iowa football no chance, the Hawkeyes upset the third-ranked Michigan Wolverines.

A week after losing to Penn State 41-14 in primetime, beating the Wolverines didn’t seem like a legitimate possibility. Many just hoped that Iowa wouldn’t embarrass themselves on national TV and put up a fight against Michigan unlike mostly every other team who has played them this year.

After Iowa held them to a mere three points in the first quarter, I still didn’t believe Iowa could win the game. For one, the offense moved the ball and picked up a couple of first downs but always stalled before getting into the end zone or field goal range.

Besides, a missed 46-yard field goal by Miguel Recinos seemed like the momentum boost that Michigan needed. Iowa could have tied the game, but rather Michigan got the ball in good field position and eventually drove down to score a touchdown.

Once Ty Isaac found the end zone and extended Michigan’s lead to 10-0, the game seemed lost. Sure, the defense was playing great and the offense didn’t look terrible like a week ago, although coming back down 10 against this Michigan team just doesn’t happen. Well, at least not before last night.

Just like in every game, Ron Coluzzi punted a beautiful ball that was downed at the two-yard line. One that took a sideways bounce a couple of times to avoid the end zone. Bounces that only happen in upsets.

Then, the defense stepped up, again. After an incomplete pass to Jake Butt, Iowa stopped De’Veon Smith in the end zone for a safety. It gave life to the defense, offense, fans and really instilled a belief that Iowa could win.

It changed the momentum of the game. If Michigan picked up a first down or two but still punted, the outcome of this game would have been very different. The Hawkeyes closed the flood gates of Michigan’s offense unlike any other team who has faced the Wolverines this year.

One constant theme the whole game was that Michigan could not stop Akrum Wadley. He juked, spinned and did everything in between to avoid Michigan defenders. For every crazy move and defender he avoided, the crowd only got louder and believed a little more.

Leaning on Wadley late in the second half, Iowa finally found the end zone on fourth down. It was a great and gutsy move by Kirk Ferentz, one in which not many people thought he would call. He coached to win on Saturday, and it showed by his gutsy play-calling all night.

However, the two-point conversion failed as it hit off of Adrian Falconer‘s hands. The Wolverines led 10-8 at halftime. Despite only being down two, it left a somewhat sour taste in everyone’s mouth knowing that the game should be tied.

The first drive of a second half is very telling. It’s when great teams can start to gain momentum or when the underdog truly shows that they can win. Well, the first play of the second half resulted in a kick return fumble by Michigan, in which Iowa recovered.

The crowd went nuts and Iowa drove down the field for five-plus minutes for a field goal to take an 11-10 lead.

At the time, it was exciting. Although, the lead was still only one and there was little faith that Iowa could find the end zone again. A touchdown for Michigan would almost certainly put this game out of reach, and well, it felt like only a matter of time.

As Iowa started to gain more and more momentum on both sides of the ball, I finally started to believe an upset was possible with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The Hawkeyes shut out Michigan in the third quarter and forced a 51-yard field goal with 9:35 left in the game. It’s a field goal Hawkeyes’ fans could only dream of making, and one that seemed destined to end Iowa’s chances of the upset. It’s not an easy field goal with all the pressure, especially for a college kicker. However, it seemed like it would be the Michigan way to win this game.

The kick was good, and Michigan took a 13-11 lead.

Now, the lead is gone and people are dead. Yeah, it’s only a two-point game but the Hawkeyes fought hard to keep the lead for a quarter and just like that Michigan has it. Then, on Michigan’s next drive, they converted a couple of first downs and looked poised to score a touchdown and put the game out of reach.

The only way Iowa had a chance was if they forced a turnover. Well, sometimes the football Gods are looking out for you because Wilton Speight threw his fourth interception of the year. Manny Rugamba stripped a pass away from Michigan on a what would have been a first down and likely ended the game.

Iowa had life, and so did the crowd.

Although, with 1:54 left, Jerminic Smith got by the defense and was wide open. The crowd started screaming and pointing at him, and it seemed like the perfect way for Iowa to win. Whether it be the cold or C.J. Beathard seeing him too late, it was a poorly thrown ball and Michigan came up with an unbelievable interception.

It sucked the life out of the crowd, but Iowa knew they still had a chance. Michigan ran the ball twice, with Iowa stopping them each time and calling a timeout. Each time the crowd grew louder. Then, on third down, Michigan went for it all to try to end the game. A pass to Amara Darboh that fell incomplete.

Michigan punted and Desmond King returned it for eight yards. A facemask penalty on Michigan was called and Iowa got the ball at the 36-yard line with 1:16 to play. On the replay, it didn’t look like a facemask call, although, it seemed right after a questionable roughing the center call on Iowa during a Michigan punt that almost ended the game.