Iowa Hawkeyes: Perfect in Prime Time

After waiting all day, the Iowa faithful piled into the stands or gathered in front of their televisions to watch the nationally broadcast game of the week in prime time from Kinnick Stadium as the No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes faced the Michigan Wolverines—kickoff at 7:05 p.m. CT.

First Quarter

THE GAME didn't exactly get off on the right foot as Iowa received the kick off from Michigan. Even with all the hype and glitz, on the second play from scrimmage, Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi was intercepted by Donovan Warren, who returned the ball 40 yards for a Michigan touchdown—starting the contest with dismal consequences for the Hawkeyes. 

The Iowa crowd sat dumbfounded, subdued by the turn of events. They could sense it was going to be one of “those” games. By that they understood that the game would be tense and close at home. This proved to be exactly the way it unfolded.

Within 46 seconds Michigan led 7-0. Unfortunately, Brent Musberger seemed stuck on calling that ill-fated interception a “pick six” all night. Whew...

After that first false step—Iowa seemed to settle down and began to move the ball mixing running and passing plays. On a 3rd-and-12, Stanzi threw to Tony Moeaki for a 34-yard gain ending in Iowa’s first touchdown. It was greeted with sighs of relief as well as a huge ovation from the assembled masses.

In the process, the Hawks exposed the weak secondary defense of the Michigan Wolverines. Daniel Murray put through the PAT to make it 7-7. The entire drive covered 57 yards in nine plays, eating up about five minutes on the clock.

Finally, with about nine minutes left in the first quarter, Michigan’s quarterback Tate Forcier got into the game. At 3rd-and-10, a Forcier pass was picked off by Jeremiah Hunter on the Michigan 35 yard line and returned to the Michigan 19. 

Iowa was deep in Michigan territory, but Stanzi failed to connect with Marvin McNutt on a third down pass. Daniel Murray kicked a 28 yard field goal, making the score 10-7 in favor of the Hawkeyes.  

Michigan’s next possession was impressive as the Wolverines marched down the field.  Forcier showed his versatility by scrambling for needed yardage in tense moments, becoming the Energizer Bunny with improvisational skills. The 72-yard drive ended with Brandon Minor powering it in for the touchdown. 

This was the first rushing touchdown scored against the stalwart Iowa defense in 33 quarters. The score now stood at 14-10 in Michigan’s favor as the first quarter ended.

It was indeed turning out to be one of “those” games. The Iowa faithful continued to stir restlessly in the stands and in their easy chairs, waiting for the Hawkeyes to seize this game by the throat.

Second Quarter

In the second quarter after the Hawkeyes were forced to punt, the Iowa defense capitalized by seizing a fumble. But the Iowa drive stalled and once again Daniel Murray trotted onto the field to put through another perfect field goal, this one for 41 yards. The score now stood at 14-13 in Michigan’s favor.

With about 10 minutes left in the second quarter, Iowa began a long drive which appeared to be stalled out on the Iowa 45, standing 3rd-and-24. But Stanzi delivered to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos for a 47-yard pass completion—moving the ball down to
the Michigan eight yard line. 
 
Brandon Wegher scored bouncing over the top and with the PAT Iowa now led 20-14. The crowd erupted and became one of many negatives the Michigan Wolverines had to face in this tightly fought contest.

The rest of the quarter remained scoreless as Iowa ended the half on a failed 53-yard field goal attempt by Murray.

Third Quarter
 
Iowa kicked off to Michigan to start the third quarter, regaining possession after Michigan was forced to punt. The resulting 63-yard drive ended with another Murray field goal. That score put Iowa up 23-14. 

Murray was getting a good work-out as the Hawkeye offense made huge gains, but often stalled deep in Michigan territory.

After trading punts, Michigan began a drive with about 8:30 left in the quarter. After ten plays extending 57 yards, Brandon Minor scored on a one-yard burst and with the PAT, Michigan pulled to within two—Iowa 23, Michigan 21.

Iowa fans understood by now that it was going to be close—very close. Iowa was moving the ball down field as the third quarter ended.

Fourth Quarter

As the fourth quarter began, Iowa tried to punch it into the end zone on fourth down from the Michigan one yard line and failed. 

Michigan took over on downs at that spot on the field. The thinking from Iowa’s coaching staff was obviously that if the offense couldn’t score deep in Michigan territory, the defense would do it.

Michigan got pasted, pinned like a insect on their one, but their punter saved them by blasting a 61-yard punt which Colin Sandman returned 20 yards to the Michigan 42.

From there Stanzi found Tony Moeaki in the open throwing a 42-yard completion for a touchdown. The point after made the score 30-21 in Iowa’s favor.

After trading punts, Michigan began a drive with about eight minutes left in the game.  Tate Forcier had been yanked and Denard Robinson, another freshman, was now orchestrating the Michigan offense. 

What is more, he was moving the ball and running well. A more natural athlete than Forcier, Robinson was catching the defense flat-footed, not reacting fast enough to contain the fresh quarterback.

Robinson rushed for 42 yards during a 59-yard drive, finally scampering into the end zone for the touchdown. With the point after, Michigan closed to with two points, 30-28. There was a little over three minutes left in the game.

Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz immediately called a time out, suspecting on onside kick. He was right and Michigan tried it but kicked it out of bounds suffering a five yard penalty. 

All Iowa had to do was make a first down and retain possession. 

With 3:16 left on the clock and sitting on the Michigan 45-yard line, Iowa’s offense understood the challenge. But Michigan’s defense had another scenario in mind.

They forced Iowa to punt. With one time out and 1:30 left on the clock, Robinson began unraveling under the pressure of an Iowa defense determined not to lose this one.

On the third play from scrimmage, Robinson’s pass down field was intercepted by Brett Greenwood on the Michigan 41-yard line and Iowa was able to run out the clock and savor another victory—another close one at home.

Curtain Call

In the end, Stanzi made up for his poor start by passing for 284 yards and two touchdowns. Tony Moeaki gained 105 yards on five receptions, two for touchdowns. Adding to the total Adam Robinson gained 70 yards on the ground on 10 carries. His longest run from scrimmage was 19 yards.

Iowa’s defense was suffocating and deadly down the stretch, squelching any sustained offensive drive for most of the game. 

Iowa begins the 2009 campaign 6-0 extending their winning streak to 10. The Hawkeyes have not been 6-0 since 1985. It bodes well that the Iowa team still sees plenty of room for improvement in their game.

Iowa goes 2-0 in Big Ten play.

But the Hawkeyes must pack their bags and head off to Camp Randall to face the Wisconsin Badgers next weekend, followed by a trip to East Lansing to face the Michigan State Spartans in two weeks.

Football fortunes offer nothing easy for the Iowa team in the next two weeks.

Michigan suffered with five turnovers that cost them big time. They fall to 1-2 in Big Ten play, 4-2 overall. Michigan can regroup next week as they meet lowly Delaware State at home. Penn State comes calling in two weeks and the Wolverines have some improvements to implement.

Iowa continues to shine in prime time...