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Michigan had a chance to get a third down stop with a tackle on Adam Robinson in the open field. Predictably, that didn't happen.
Iowa finished its drive with a Michael Meyer field goal, pushing its lead to 38-28, but Michigan's chances of staging an upset today effectively ended with that play.
For good measure, though, the Hawkeyes harassed and intercepted Tate Forcier on the last drive, and all that remains is running out the clock.
Without Heisman candidate Denard Robinson, and without much offensive consistency through three quarters, it didn't seem so. But now Tate Forcier may be adding another comeback to his career highlights.
Forcier led Michigan's third straight touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, completing four passes and running the ball in from three yards out to cut Iowa's lead to 35-28 after the extra point.
A full comeback would require another stop by Michigan's defense, and that will be hard, especially after Michigan sent the kickoff out of bounds. Yet there is still hope.
Well, a quick touchdown certainly contributes to the chances of a miracle.
Tate Forcier found Junior Hemingway, who shook cornerback Micah Hyde, with no one around him near the goal line, and Michigan pulled back within two touchdowns on the 45-yard hook-up.
It's still a rather tall order for Michigan to complete a comeback, but Forcier and the offense appear game.
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has outscored Michigan today.
He just hauled in his third touchdown pass of the afternoon, helping Iowa finish off a drive that vaporize whatever momentum Tate Forcier and the Michigan offense had built. For the day, Johnson-Koulianos has four catches for seventy yards.
Unless Forcier and Co. can come up with a miracle, it seems like Iowa will be leaving Ann Arbor with a victory.
Without Denard Robinson, Michigan's rushing attack loses a lot of its speed. But the bulk remains.
Stephen Hopkins, a freshman listed at six feet and 227 pounds, is doing work on the ground, pounding in Michigan's second touchdown of the day and cutting Iowa's lead to 28-14.
Hopkins has 62 yards on eight carries today, and his per-carry average (7.8 yards) is a full two yards better than Robinson's.
Quietly, Adam Robinson has been having a good day.
His 11-yard touchdown run just now puts him at 93 yards for the day, and puts Iowa up by three touchdowns over Michigan, 28-7.
Who knew that he would be the more successful Robinson in this game?
Tate Forcier is still in this game, despite Denard Robinson standing on the sidelines, helmet on. He's not on the field, though, because he just threw an interception.
On a third and 10, Forcier fired a pick to Micah Hyde. It is the Hawkeyes' second pick today, and sets them up to extend their lead.
With Denard Robinson hurting, Tate Forcier stepped in and stepped up.
It didn't lead to points — a Vincent Smith fumble scuttled the drive before it could — but Forcier was sharp on his first drive of the day, helping Michigan convert two fourth downs and drive deep into Iowa territory.
If the Michigan defense can come up with stops, the Wolverines may have hope on offense beyond Robinson after all.
On third and 14 in the red zone, Iowa ran a draw. And converted.
Later in the drive, Iowa gave the ball to Adam Robinson, who cut back for the Hawkeyes' third touchdown of the day.
It's 21-7 in Ann Arbor, and Michigan may well need Denard Robinson to not only jump-start its offense, but to play a little defense, too.
Michigan had a chance to cut Iowa's lead to 14-10; instead, it nearly grew to 20-7.
The Hawkeyes obliterated the left side of the Michigan field goal unit, blocking Seth Broekhuizen's kick, and Tyler Sash scooped up the ball and returned it to Michigan's side of midfield.
As mentioned earlier, Michigan's hopes are almost completely dependent on Denard Robinson at this point.
Michigan's defense remains highly flammable.
Ricky Stanzi found Derrell Johnson-Koulianos on a corner route for what was called the connection's second touchdown of the day on the field, then confirmed. Iowa converted the extra point to make it 14-7 in favor of the Hawkeyes.
After forcing two three-and-outs to begin the game, Michigan's defense has allowed two touchdown drives of more than 50 yards. Oh, and there are almost three full quarters of football remaining.
Michigan fans had better hope Denard Robinson has his magic shoes on.
To answer Michigan's first touchdown, Iowa went to the ground.
Adam Robinson ran for 46 yards on a 10-play, 82-yard drive, and got the Hawkeyes in position for Ricky Stanzi to complete a 14-yard touchdown to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos.
After the extra point, the score is tied 7-7 in Ann Arbor.
Denard Robinson and Michigan have made a habit of starting fast, and only added to it against Iowa.
Stephen Hopkins rushed for 37 yards on Michigan's first offensive possession, and Robinson capped it with an eight-yard throw to Vincent Smith for a touchdown. The Wolverines lead, 7-0.
SB Nation's Black Heart Gold Pants reviews their weekly ten reasons to hold out no hope for the Hawkeyes, ever:
10. Bye Means Sell. Iowa is 2-4 after the so-called "bye week" under Ferentz. Even that idiot from Mad Money can predict this outcome, yep...Bulls make money. Bears make money. Hawks get slaughtered.
9. Rushmore. Denard Robinson's per game rushing average is all of seven yards fewer per game than Iowa's...entire team. Oh snap.
SB Nation's Maize N Brew longs for Michigan's past glory years:
One of the rights of passage for Michigan fans during the era immediately following 1997 through the hiring of Rich Rodriguez was to lose a game that seemed winnable on paper, then go through the various machinations the could see Michigan still sneak into the title game, or go to a BCS bowl. HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN PEOPLE! You see, all Michigan needs to do is win out, and they will likely be on the path to a Rose Bowl, assuming Michigan State drops a few (and they have to right?...right?) or wins out and goes to the BCS championship game. We're still alive baby!
(Sports Network) The 15th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes take to the road in Big Ten play this weekend, as they invade Ann Arbor to tangle with the Michigan Wolverines.
Kirk Ferentz's Hawkeyes opened up conference play in impressive fashion two weeks ago, making light work of Penn State in Iowa City, 24-3. The victory was the second straight for the Hawkeyes, whose only loss has come to nationally-ranked Arizona in week number three. The Hawkeyes were idle this past weekend, giving the team additional time to prepare for Michigan.
The Wolverines also only have one loss on the season, but that came last week to rival Michigan State by a score of 34-17. Prior to that, Rich Rodriguez's squad had reeled off five straight wins, mostly on the legs and arm of Heisman frontrunner Denard Robinson.
Rodriguez knows there was an opportunity to win the game against Michigan State.
"We hurt ourselves with a couple of interceptions, and there were definitely some points down there. It's the same old thing: you ought to be able to stop them running when you know they're going to run. We can't do that right now, and we've got to figure it out and get better for next week."
This marks the 56th all-time meeting between these two programs, with Michigan holding a sizeable 40-11-4 all-time advantage. The two schools however, have split the last six meetings, with Iowa claiming a 30-28 victory in Iowa City last year.
The Hawkeyes bring a balanced attack into Ann Arbor, averaging 172.2 yards per game rushing the football, and an additional 254.2 yards passing.
Quarterback Rick Stanzi has played well under center, completing 67.8 percent of his pass attempts, for 1,226 yards, with 10 TDs against just two INTs. His top target is Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, who has hauled in 21 balls, for 334 yards and four TDs.
The ground attack is paced by tailback Adam Robinson. He is netting almost five yards per carry and nearly 100 yards per game (96.0) and is responsible for six of the team's nine rushing TDs to date.
While the Hawkeyes have been able to move the chains on the ground, it has been a futile venture for opponents trying to do the same. Iowa ranks second nationally in rush defense (63.2 ypg) and is the only team in the country that hasn't allowed a rushing score in 2010. An ailing Jeff Tarpinian leads the team in tackles (32), although he played sparingly against Penn State. Fellow LB Jeremiha Hunter is next in line with 29 tackles. Rush end Adrian Clayborn (25 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, one sack) and tackle Mike Daniels (19 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) provide strong play up front.
As good as the Iowa defense has been, Ferentz knows the challenge of trying to stop Michigan's Heisman hopeful.
"He's an excellent football player, and I'm guessing what they hoped to get from him when they recruited him is what they've seen happen this year. He's a very dynamic football player, very explosive player, and with that offense that they give you, it presents an awful lot of challenges. They try to spread the field and basically have an extra man on the field because they've got a guy that can not only throw it but he can run the ball. He's very dangerous. It really makes it a challenge for you defensively when you play a team like this, and that's kind of what we're looking at here."
The Wolverines lost for the first time this season against the Spartans last weekend, but look for a more spirited outing this week. While Iowa has successfully defended the run this season, the Hawkeyes will have their hands full with Michigan's Heisman hopeful. Just a sophomore, Robinson has already rushed for 991 yards (165.2 ypg) and nine TDs, while passing for 1,223 yards and eight more scores. Wideout Roy Roundtree has been the biggest benefactor down the field, leading Michigan in receptions (31) and receiving yards (385), with two TDs.
The Wolverines have struggled at times on the defensive side of the football, with opponents averaging 26.8 ppg and a whopping 450.7 yards of total offense. Pass defense has been particularly suspect, with foes netting just over 300 yards per game through the air.
Senior LB Jonas Mouton leads the way with 56 total tackles. He also has five TFLs, one sack and two INTs to his credit. Strong safety Jordan Kovacs is a close second with 53 stops and has four TFLs and one INT on the year.
This is strength against strength with Robinson attempting to slash through a stout Iowa run defense. While Michigan's superstar will have his moments, the Wolverines will struggle once again defensively, leading to a big road win for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa Weathers Late Rally, Beats Michigan 38-28
Ann Arbor, MI (Sports Network) - Ricky Stanzi threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, as 15th-ranked Iowa held on to beat Michigan, 38-28, at the Big House.
Adam Robinson ran for 143 yards and two scores for the Hawkeyes (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten), who were coming off a bye week and have won three in a row. Iowa built up a 28-7 lead after three quarters, but only took the win after Michigan posted a big fourth quarter.
Tate Forcier led the comeback attempt after taking over for Denard Robinson, who left the game in the third quarter when he was shaken up on a run. Forcier passed for 239 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a score, but was intercepted twice as the Wolverines (5-2, 1-2) lost for the second straight week.
Oct 16 7:33p by Andy Hutchins - 0 comments