Michigan 20, Iowa 6

Iowa (5-3) vs. Michigan (8-0)
October 21, 2006
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI

A wacky series of events after a Michigan would-be fumble midway through the fourth quarter turned the contest from a nail-biter to a breeze for the undefeated Wolverines. With 6:55 left and the Hawkeyes trailing, 13-6, Marcus Paschal recovered a fumble by Mike Hart near the Iowa 32-yard line.

But a replay review ruled Hart's knee brushed the turf before the ball popped out, returning possession to Michigan. Minutes later, officials returned to the video and claimed the ball was spotted incorrectly, awarding the Wolverines a first down after the original placement set up a fourth-and-one situation.

Six plays later, a 10-yard touchdown run by Hart sealed the victory.

Ferentz, irate and animated with officials throughout the game, threw his arms up in disgust as the chains moved downfield.

"What do you think I thought?" said the Iowa coach, who declined delving into details. "I don't think I was the only one that thought that. But it's like a lot of things. It really doesn't matter what I think. The reality is they got the ball, and we didn't, and that's the end of that discussion."

In the end, the Hawkeyes ran out of steam and couldn't penetrate the end zone against the Wolverines' acclaimed defense.

Iowa reached the red zone twice but was forced to settle for a pair of Kyle Schlicher field goals. Early in the third quarter, Mike Humpal intercepted a Chad Henne pass to position the Hawkeyes on the Michigan 27-yard line. The Hawkeyes failed to continue the drive after a nine-yard gain on first down, and Ferentz - who later said he didn't consider a fourth-down attempt - elected to take three points for the tie.

The Wolverines responded with a nine-yard touchdown run by Hart, which was setup by a 64-yard kickoff return by Steve Breaston, to the Iowa 35-yard line. But the Hawkeyes drove down field on the ensuing drive, reaching the four-yard line before settling for a chip shot field goal.

"They were, without a doubt, the best defense we played all year," said quarterback Drew Tate, who completed 21-of-36 passes for 197 yards. "With how physical they are, their size, their speed - we haven't seen anything like that."

Hart, held to just 27 yards on 10 carries in the first half, finished with 126 yards and two touchdowns against a tired Hawkeye defense in the second half. The Wolverines are 16-1 when Hart records a 100-yard game.

After being contained in the first half, Hart countered with a number of cutback runs against Iowa's over-pursuing defense. On the game-clinching touchdown, the 5-9, 196-pound tailback reversed field three yards behind the line of scrimmage for an easy 10-yard run off left tackle.

"He's a little guy, but he's a hard runner," cornerback Charles Godfrey said.

The Hawkeyes, winless against top-five teams since 1990, suffered their second-straight loss for the third time since 2002 - all of which involved Michigan.

Beginning with Saturday's contest against Northern Illinois, Iowa's next three games are at Kinnick Stadium, where the Hawkeyes last won. Even with a losing record in Big Ten play and an embarrassing defeat a week ago in Bloomington, Ind., Ferentz likes his team's effort and attitude.

"I'd have a hard time walking in there and telling those guys they haven't been playing tough," he said, responding to a suggestion his team hasn't exhibited toughness this season other than against Ohio State.

"That's outrageous. Say what you want about last week, and hey, we'll take whatever you want to throw our way, because we opened ourselves up there. But outside of that, I'd take exception to that comment."

E-mail DI Pregame Editor Jason Brummond at:
jason-brummond@uiowa.edu