Now THAT was the signature win that Hawkeye Nation was waiting for!
Iowa entered the game against Michigan as the higher-ranked team, but was a 5.5-point underdog to the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. The Hawkeyes played well during the non-conference schedule, manhandling Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa in weeks one and three, but Michigan is a whole different animal. Michigan controlled the first half, outgaining Iowa by 150 yards and holding the Hawkeyes to under 100 yards of total offense. Hank Brown and the Hawkeyes stayed the course, and the football gods rewarded them with one of the biggest victories in over a decade, knocking off Michigan 20-19 on the road.
Iowa hung around, and eventually threw a knock-out blow to Michigan in the 'Big House'
The Hawkeyes were getting bullied on both lines of scrimmage in the first half, but some costly Michigan penalties, punter Boston Everitt consistently pinning the Wolverines deep, and a timely Deshaun Lee interception kept Iowa in the game. Michigan looked like the better team, especially on offense, and Hawkeye fans wondered if this would end up like so many games they have seen in the past.
Credit goes to Tim Lester and Hank Brown for staying the course and never giving in, despite being outplayed for three quarters. Iowa has questions to answer on the offensive and defensive lines after Michigan out-physicaled them. The Wolverines got whatever they wanted on offense and played well on defense, stifling Iowa's rushing attack. Iowa does what it does best: special teams and defense, and the offense finally showed up when it mattered the most. Hank Brown fell just short of becoming Iowa's first 300-plus-yard passer in a very long time, but played well through all the pressure. Brown finished with 227 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, which was huge for the offense with the Michigan defense completely shutting down the running game.
Iowa totaled 58 rushing yards on 24 carries, far worse than normal. Michigan was more than ready for Iowa's rushing attack, but the passing game did just enough to get it done. Reece Vander Zee had one of his best games as a Hawkeye, finishing with 66 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown catch as time expired. Soak it in, Hawkeye fans: Iowa FINALLY has an offense.
Karma is fickle, and Michigan found that out the hard way
Before Iowa and Michigan battled on the gridiron, ESPN College GameDay's guest picker Johnny Knoxville took a shot at Michigan for its controversial week-one win. Still, the football gods took notice, and karma came back to bite the Wolverines hard. Michigan won on a last-second Hail Mary against Western Michigan, to the ire and disgust of many college football media members and fans across the country, but thanks to Iowa, they can all rest easy. These things have a way of balancing out, and several Michigan rivals just became Hawkeye fans.
Michigan won on a last-second pass into the end zone against Western Michigan in week one, only to lose the same way at home in its Big Ten opener in week four. Iowa is celebrating, while Michigan is sulking, and the Wolverines must be thinking they let this game slip through their fingers after controlling it for most of the contest. Some boneheaded penalties and a massive special teams blunder cost Michigan the win, and while Iowa won't complain, luck was definitely on its side. What's done is done, and the Hawkeyes now must turn their attention to an equally difficult Ohio State team as they head back home for another top-20 clash at Kinnick Stadium.
Add us as a preferred source on Google