Highlights, game recap from Michigan’s win over Iowa

The No. 19 Michigan Wolverines faced The No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes at The Big House in what turned out to be a defensive game, the equivalent of a pitchers duel with a bevy of errors on both sides offensively.

Game Recap

- Michigan received the ball to begin the game and the drive started out promising with a speed option pitch to Zach Charbonnet, followed by a Charbonnet run for a first down. After moving the chains once, the drive stalled with three Shea Patterson incompletions.

- On Iowa’s first play from scrimmage resulted in a momentum shift for Michigan, with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson forcing Mekhi Sargent to fumble. Michigan wasn’t able to net a first down on offense after the fumble, but a 28-yard Jake Moody field goal put Michigan up 3-0 with 12:19 left in the first quarter.

- Patterson started the game just 1-of-5 for 2 yards, but on Michigan’s third drive the passing game got clicking a bit. Patterson delivered an accurate 51-yard deep ball into the wind to Nico Collins. Five plays later Zach Charbonnet punched it in from 2 yards out to give Michigan a 10-0 lead.

- With Michigan already having a two score lead, another score would have really put a dent in any chance Iowa may have had for a comeback. However, Patterson threw an interception right to Geno Stone. Luckily for Michigan, on Iowa’s second play of the drive after Patterson’s INT, QB Nate Stanley threw a pick, too. Safety Josh Metellus read Stanley’s eyes and got a great jump for the interception.

- Iowa would net a field goal in the 2nd quarter to make it 10-3 Michigan, but the quarter was uneventful as a whole beyond a great Lavert Hill interception deep downfield.

- At halftime, Michigan had 159 yards of total offense, with Iowa having 129 yards. The most solid unit of the first half for Michigan was their defensive line imposing their will. The d-line notched two sacks from Kwity Paye and a forced fumble by Aidan Hutchinson and pressured Stanley plenty. Still, with a ten point lead, it was disappointing that Michigan couldn’t put this game out of reach. At the half, Iowa was still very much alive in this contest.

- Iowa received the ball to start the second half, and the drive was nearing the endzone when safety Daxton Hill tipped Nate Stanley’s pass to a waiting Ambry Thomas. The interception was Stanley’s third of the day after throwing none in his first four starts of the year.

- Midway into the 4th quarter, the game was still locked up at 10-3 after Michigan kicker Jake Moody missed a 34-yard field goal attempt. After the missed field goal, Michigan’s defense continued to wreak havoc on Nate Stanley. A 2nd & 4 situation at midfield turned into a 4th & 25 punt after back-to-back sacks by Jordan Glasgow and Cam McGrone, bringing Michigan’s total to seven sacks in all.

- The dominance on D continued for Michigan on Iowa’s next possession. With Iowa past midfield a holding penalty, false start, and Cam Mcgrone/Aidan Hutchinson sack set Iowa back with a 4th & 36 punt.

- With 2:52 left on the clock the Wolverines had a chance to ice the game with a first down, but on 3rd & 6 a Patterson run netted only 4 yards and Michigan had to punt, giving Iowa another shot at tying the game. The Hawkeyes were able to get it all the way down to the 44-yard line before they ultimately turned it over on downs. Michigan then kneeled and got out of The Big House with a 10-3 win.