Michigan turned the ball over 5 times in a 30-28 loss at Iowa. With the loss Michigan has now dropped back-to-back games on the road and the Wolverines fall to 4-2 on the season. Iowa improves to 6-0 with the win.
The Wolverine defense did all they could to give Michigan a chance to win this game. The turnovers had the defense playing on a short field for much of the night. Michigan’s defense held Iowa to 63 yards rushing. For a second straight week the offense was out of synch for most of the game. Tate Forcier struggled, throwing an interception, fumbling, and ultimately getting benched in the 4th quarter.
Iowa had built a 30-21 lead after Tony Moeaki scored his second touchdown of the game. Michigan responded with two three and outs on offense and Rich Rodriguez was visibly upset with Forcier. Michigan’s defense forced the Hawkeyes to punt on the ensuing possession. Rodriguez made the decision to go with Denard Robinson at QB. Robinson, who had yet to take a snap in the game, directed an 11 play 59 yard scoring drive to pull Michigan within 30-28. Robinson rushed for 41 yards and a TD on the drive and completed 2 of 2 passes for 16 yards.
After a failed onside kick attempt Michigan’s defense forced an Iowa punt. The Wolverines got the ball back on their own 17 yard line with 1:30 to play and no timeouts. Denard Robinson completed a 14 yard pass to Martavious Odoms on the first play of the drive. On the second play he ran for a 7 yard gain. On the third play Robinson missed a wide-open Odoms in the flat and threw a game ending interception on a deep ball.
The Wolverines head home for back-to-back home games against Delaware State and Penn State.
Michigan moved Troy Woolfolk from safety to corner this week and started Mike Williams and Jordan Kovacs at the safety positions. Boubacar Cissoko was suspended for a violation of team rules and did not travel with the team to Iowa.
Brandon Minor
Brandon Minor rushed for 95 yards and 2 TDs for the Wolverines. Brandon Graham was a beast notching a career high 9 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 2 sacks. On Iowa’s second play of the game Donovan Warren intercepted a Ricky Stanzi pass and returned it for a touchdown. That makes three consecutive games with an interception for Warren, who also broke up a couple of other passes including one in the end zone.
Michigan’s offensive line was much better this week as the Wolverines ran for 189 yards. Entering play Iowa’s defense had not allowed a rushing TD in 33 quarters. Michigan snapped that streak in the first quarter and would punch in three rushing touchdowns on the night.
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