Hawkeyes beat Wolverines, off to best start since 1985
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The parallels are there.
With No. 12 Iowa defeating Michigan inside Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, 30-28, the Hawkeyes are now 6-0 for the first time since 1985.
And it's only appropriate they win by two points on a night when that 1985 squad, who also beat the Wolverines by two points, would have players such as Chuck Long and Larry Station be honored.
"Michigan came to play, no question about that," said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, who was an assistant on that 1985 Iowa squad. "They played extremely hard as well, and it was a great football game, so we feel very fortunate to get the win."
The 2009 edition of the Hawkeyes are clearly establishing storylines every week. On this night, it would be the return of senior tight end Tony Moeaki. The Wheaton, Ill., native hauled in six receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns of 34 and 42 yards, respectively. This performance comes after missing the past three games with an ankle injury.
"He has a great impact on our offense," redshirt freshman running back Adam Robinson said. "Whenever you'd look to your right or look to your left, and he's out there, it just gives you a boost of confidence knowing that he's out there."
The first of Moeaki's two scores came after quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw his third pick-six of the season, when Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren returned Stanzi's eighth interception of the season back for a touchdown to put the Wolverines ahead 7-0.
But it would be the only turnover Iowa would commit in contrast to five by Michigan. The Wolverines lost three fumbles. And the first and last passes by Michigan freshman quarterbacks would be picked off.
Iowa junior linebacker Jeremiha Hunter intercepted Tate Forcier's first pass, while junior safety Brett Greenwood sealed the Hawkeye victory with an interception of Denard Robinson, who filled in during the fourth quarter.
"We were just in basic Cover 2, and we knew both their quarterbacks, they're going to scramble and throw the ball deep," Greenwood said. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
But needless to say, the Wolverines were able to move the ball, obtaining 319 yards of total offense. Michigan running back Brandon Minor scored two touchdowns on the ground, the first of which ended a streak of 33 quarters where the Hawkeye defense didn't surrender a rushing touchdown. Minor finished the game with 95 yards rushing.
"They're a good team that we just played," senior linebacker Pat Angerer said. "Our D-Line did a good job of getting pressure on the quarterback, and everybody flying around, running to the ball. Their O-Line was one of the toughest, most physical O-Lines that I've played since I've been here, excluding Penn State from last year."
Special teams ended up being vital as well for Iowa once again. Junior kicker Daniel Murray connected on field goals of 28, 41, and 40 yards. In addition, freshman defensive back William Lowe recovered one of the Wolverines' three fumbles on a muffed punt by Michigan's Greg Matthews.
"Again, I can't say enough about our special teams," Ferentz said. "I thought Dan Murray did a nice job. He didn't have the best week last week; he bounced back strong."
Now at 6-0, the Hawkeyes look to continue on a path similar to that of the 1985 squad when they begin a two-game road trip next week at Wisconsin, who comes in at 5-1 after losing to No. 9 Ohio State on Saturday, 31-13. The Oct. 17 kickoff from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison is scheduled for 11 a.m.
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