Look – the Football Gods called for…something, after Michigan stole a game from Western Michigan in Week 1. Everyone that isn’t a Michigan fan acknowledged they should not have won that game. They stole from the footballing world with that result. The injured the Footballing Gods that night. They should have entered Saturday’s tilt with our Iowa Hawkeyes with a loss already. Somewhere along the way, there would be an evening of the scales. They had to answer somewhere in a way that would hurt. America turned its lonely eyes to the Iowa Hawkeyes to do something.
For 59:58, Michigan was better than Iowa. They controlled the game. They should have walked to a win. The box score points to that. A big total yardage edge. Time of possession was heavily skewed to the Wolverines. Bryce Underwood, as underwhelming as he’s been this season, was fantastic for Michigan. Outside of his red zone pick – crucial play there; Michigan errors will be a theme throughout this – he was every bit the expensive 5-star quarterback Michigan employs. He was great. Iowa had few answers for Michigan’s offense. The Hawks couldn’t solve their talented, ultra-aggressive defense, either.
Then some weird things happened. A tipped pass lands in the hands of an Iowa receiver. Yes, he re-established position inbounds, Michigan fans. Iowa’s in the end zone shortly after that through a Hank Brown to Reece Vander Zee connection, the Hawks suddenly leading. Michigan retakes the lead on a broken play, with Iowa employing a clearly hobbled Tyler Brown at safety.
Iowa attempts a late 51-yarder to pull within 2, but Caden Buhr misses the kick. Iowa uses their timeouts perfectly – there is a first for everything – as well as the 2-minute warning and they get the ball back needing 91 yards to win. Another tip drill ends in an Iowa reception with :02 left, ball at the Michigan 16. Now Iowa is making up some karma deficit after last year’s Iowa State loss.
Then the Karma Gods really put their shot up. A Michigan injury gives Iowa a moment to gather themselves, a free timeout. Enter Brown, who was ok most of the day against that aggressive, athletic Michigan defense but a monster in the 4th quarter (13-16, 142 yards, 2 touchdowns, after going 8-16 for 85 yards in the first three quarters.) Not spectacular, but steady when this game called for exactly that given Iowa’s defense kept them in the game.
It ends with The Throw to Vander Zee to win the game, one of the very best throws an Iowa quarterback has ever made. I don’t believe that is hyperbole. Brown goes back shoulder to Vander Zee against what is probably a top 3-5 secondary in the country. Maybe better. And the kid from Rock Rapids pulls it in, gets both feet in – double tap – to win it.
As we enter October, you suddenly start thinking about bigger things. Next week is a free shot against Ohio State. You thought Michigan has dudes? Ohio State has DUDES. Yeah, Iowa probably loses. The week after, October 9, is the season. Win at Washington – the Huskies lost at home to Minnesota last night – and you’re in a near-perfect lane for a playoff spot.
Excuse me while I crack another beer.
More thoughts:
- A lot of big plays in this game. Michigan failing on a 2-point conversion. Bryce Underwood stuffed on a 4th and 1.
Underwood’s terrible interception, picked by his former high school teammate Deshaun Lee, as the Wolverines were about to score. The first Vander Zee touchdown. Jacob Wallace’s tip on Michigan’s final drive (nearly a pick-6.) Two tipped passes landing in the hands of an Iowa player. The idiotic, ridiculous penalty on the out of bounds hit on Tony Diaz on the final drive. Diaz said a little too much leading up to the game and Michigan clearly saw that, so maybe it worked in the end?
- This is Iowa’s first win on the road over a ranked team since 2015 at Northwestern. And they did it on a 91-yard drive in a 2-minute drill!
- This was Michigan’s first loss at home when leading at half in 58 games. Also incredible.
- Iowa’s had walk offs, of course, but this is the first walk off touchdown since 7 got 6. Lovely endings, both games.
- Let’s just rip through some tweets. GO HAWKS!
