Iowa Upsets Michigan with Last-Minute Touchdown
In a thrilling finish at the same stadium where Michigan previously benefited from a controversial extra second against Western Michigan, the Iowa Hawkeyes seized their moment on Saturday. Quarterback Hank Brown linked up with Reece Vander Zee for a decisive 16-yard touchdown as time expired, resulting in a 20-19 upset for No. 17 Iowa over No. 18 Michigan.
“To be able to silence a stadium like that, there’s no greater feeling,” Brown remarked after the game.
The Hawkeyes orchestrated an impressive 91-yard drive, which included a crucial unnecessary roughness penalty against Michigan on third down. A 29-yard completion from Brown to Addison Ostrenga set the stage for the winning touchdown, with just two seconds left on the clock.
“We prep for situations like these throughout the week in practice all the time,” Brown noted. “Why do you prepare for it? For a moment like that.”
When asked if this win served as a form of justice for Western Michigan, Brown hesitated to comment, chuckling instead.
Meanwhile, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood managed to throw a 49-yard touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan early in the fourth quarter, marking their second scoring connection of the game. However, the Wolverines (3-1, 0-1) struggled to create effective plays on both sides of the field, which ultimately cost them the game.
“We would’ve liked to run the clock out,” said coach Kyle Whittingham, expressing his disappointment.
Iowa gained its first lead early in the fourth on Brown’s touchdown pass to Vander Zee. However, soon after, Underwood connected with Buchanan again, giving Michigan a temporary 19-14 lead with a long touchdown, despite failing to convert a critical two-point attempt.
Late in the game, Iowa faced a potential turning point when left guard Leighton Jones was penalized for a false start on fourth down at Michigan’s 28-yard line. With the team facing fourth-and-6, coach Kirk Ferentz opted for a 51-yard field goal attempt, but it went wide right with 2:33 remaining.
Iowa’s Big Ten schedule continues next week with a challenging road game against Ohio State, as Michigan looks to bounce back on the road against Minnesota.
