Michigan-Iowa: These Eight Mistakes Doomed the Wolverines

It was no secret that Iowa was coming into Michigan Stadium armed with a stout defense and a mistake-free offense.  It was also common knowledge that the Wolverines needed to play nearly a perfect game to upset the favored Hawkeyes.

But despite out-gaining the Hawkeyes 522-383, Michigan committed four turnovers and made several other errors in Saturday’s 38-28 defeat.

“The turnovers are inexcusable,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said afterwards. “We're not good enough to have those things and beat anybody.”

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was elated that his Hawkeyes were the one’s who played the near perfect game. "You're always hoping to minimize mistakes,” he added “but it's easier said than done.”

Considering that Michigan also led in first downs 29-21, and time of possession (31:00 to 29:00) it’s not surprising that these eight costly blunders were especially frustrating:

First Quarter

1. 1st and 10, Michigan 27 (Michigan ball, Michigan 7, Iowa 0): With the Wolverines leading 7-0, Denard Robinson runs for seven yards but OT Taylor Lewan is called for a personal foul, which basically kills the drive. Lewan is later penalized twice for false starts.

2. 1st and 10,  Iowa 35: (Iowa ball, Michigan 7, Iowa 0): With the Hawkeyes driving, J. T. Floyd is called for pass interference, setting up the Hawkeyes in the red zone. Two plays later, Ricky Stanzi throws a 14-yard touchdown pass to Darrell Johnson-Koulianos. Michigan 7, Iowa 7.

Second Quarter

3. 3rd and 5, 50 yard line, (Michigan ball, Michigan 7, Iowa 7): Lewan starts off the quarter with a false start so Michigan is now faced with third and ten. Robinson then committed the first of four Michigan turnovers by throwing an interception.  

4. 1st and 10, Michigan 20 (Michigan ball, Iowa leads 14-7): Denard Robinson leads Michigan on a nine-play drive and a first down at the Iowa 15. Lewan gets called for a false start, and the drive bogs down. Seth Broekheizen, who botched a field goal attempt against the Spartans, has another one blocked from the Iowa 38.

To make matters worse, several Michigan players stand around while Tyler Sash scoops up the loose ball and scampers down to the Michigan 48. Nine plays later, and thanks to another short field, Iowa goes ahead 21-7.

Third Quarter

5. 1st and 10, Michigan 15 (Michigan ball, Iowa leads 21-7): Robinson gains 12 yards before re-injuring his shoulder. Forcier replaces him and marches Michigan 59 yards to the Iowa 15.  Vincent Smith, who appeared not to receive the ball cleanly from Forcier, fumbles and Iowa recovers. Just another turnover in the red zone.

6. Michigan kicks off (Iowa leads 28-14): After Stephen Hopkins scores the first rushing touchdown against Iowa this season, something bad happens. Broeckheizen, who’s already had a field goal blocked, sends his kickoff out of bounds.

Iowa starts at its 40, then goes on to take a 35-14 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining.  A face-mask penalty by Floyd made the short field even shorter. By the way, we'd like to see Hopkins get more carries.

Fourth Quarter

7. Iowa leads 35-28:  Forcier engineers two more fourth quarter scoring drives thanks to a few nice catches by Junior Hemingway. The crowd is really back into it since there’s still 6:55 left in the game. But Broeckheizen again misses the football field with his kickoff attempt, and Iowa starts from its own 40.

The Hawkeyes drive down to the Michigan 11 before settling for a 30-yard field goal. The key play in the drive was a 26-yard completion to Adam Robinson on third and eight from the Michigan 40. Michigan’s defense on third and long has been an enigma all season. Michigan is down by 10, with just 2:53 remaining.

8. 1st and 10, Michigan 37 (Michigan ball, Iowa leads 38-28):  It would have taken a miracle, but Michigan wouldn’t have any part of it. After an incomplete pass and a sack, Forcier tossed an errant pass to Iowa’s Troy Johnson for his second interception of the game.

Michigan heads into its bye week after losing a pair of football games it realistically could have won. The Wolverines don’t play again until Devil’s Night (Oct. 30) at State College.  Even if the disappointing Lions (3-3, 0-2) beat Minnesota Saturday, there will still be very few happy faces in Beaver Stadium. For the Wolverines (5-2, 1-2), it’s another game they could win, but can’t afford to lose.