In typical Iowa fashion, they muddied up the game against Michigan, by ultimately found ways to win.
Although Iowa entered the game ranked higher, Michigan was a slight favorite. The Wolverines are nearly impossible to beat at home in the "Big House," and they proved that and then some against the Hawkeyes in week four. Michigan dominated in two of three phases, but shot itself in the foot multiple times, letting Iowa hang around and ultimately win. This isn't the first time Iowa has gone to the state of Michigan and picked up an unlikely win, and DJ Vonnahme said what we are all thinking.
DJ Vonnahme ranks this win up there with the 2009 win over Michigan State
Michigan's defense stifled Iowa's offense for three quarters and stuck to its game plan. There is no doubt their focus was on the running game, and they almost completely shut it down. Kamari Moulton led Iowa with 44 yards, as the Hawkeyes tallied only 53 rushing yards. Michigan was physical in the trenches, forcing Iowa to throw, and they used their press-man coverage to make it difficult. Hank Brown and the offense finally broke through in the fourth quarter, and surprisingly, the passing game sealed the win.
This game was eerily similar to Iowa's 2009 road win over Michigan State, when Ricky Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt in the end zone on a quick slant to give the Hawkeyes a 15-13 win as time expired. That moment was one of the best from one of the best seasons in recent history, and Vonnahme is adamant that the recent win over Michigan ranks right up there.
Iowa tight end, DJ Vonnahme says tonight’s win ranks up there with the Michigan State last-second touchdown in 2009.
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) September 26, 2026
“The state of Michigan has served Iowa well.” pic.twitter.com/yKNC71kvUT
Vonnahme was obviously not with the program in 2009, but fondly remembers Iowa's win. He ranks it close to Iowa's week-four win over Michigan this season, and playfully exclaimed that the state of Michigan has served Iowa well. The Hawkeyes are now 16-45-4 against Michigan, and even though we don't get to see old friend Pat Fitzgerald and Michigan State this year, the Hawkeyes are 25-23-2 against the Spartans. Although the series against Michigan is very lopsided, Kirk Ferentz has now picked up his third win against them, the first since 2010.
Vonnahme was clearly not talking about overall records, but about big-time moments in Iowa football history, and they have regularly come in the state of Michigan. Entering the Michigan game, Iowa had not beaten a ranked team on the road since defeating No. 9 Iowa State in 2021. The program also had not beaten a ranked Big Ten opponent on the road since beating No. 20 Northwestern in 2015. Iowa finally beat a ranked team at the end of 2025 when they knocked off Vanderbilt in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl, snapping a 0-13 streak. In one game against a ranked opponent in 2026, Iowa was victorious.
Beating a Michigan team in Michigan has become a springboard for great Iowa moments, and Vonnahme alluded to that after the week-four game. It would be better if Iowa could do this regularly, but for now, we can bask in the big win before No. 5 Ohio State comes to Kinnick in week five.
Add us as a preferred source on Google