Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
4, 3, 2 … DONE!
Iowa’s last-second kick takes down No. 2 Michigan
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Michigan failed its first major road test of the season. It might not matter for the Wolverines and their playoff hopes — if they win out.
Iowa freshman Keith Duncan kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired, and the Hawkeyes stunned second-ranked Michigan 14-13 on Saturday, damaging the Wolverines’ playoff hopes.
“We just have to look in the mirror and look at the film and become better because of this,” Michigan tight end Jake Butt said. “There’s really no excuse, there’s absolutely no excuse.”
But Michigan is still very much alive, in part because No. 3 Clemson and No. 4 Washington lost earlier in the day — at home, no less.
Still, it’s the middle of November and the Wolverines have yet to beat a team with more than one league win on the road.
Wilton Speight threw for 103 yards with an interception for the Wolverines, who gained only 201 yards.
“We didn’t make enough plays to extend drives, first downs. We missed on some deep throws,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Every little thing doesn’t always go your way, and to win, you’ve got to make it that way.”
Akrum Wadley had 115 yards rushing to help the Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) defeat a top-five team for the first time in six years.
Michigan (9-1, 6-1, No. 3 College Football Playoff) appeared to have the game wrapped up when Channing Stribling intercepted C.J. Beathard’s pass with 1:54 remaining. But the Hawkeyes stuffed the Wolverines, and a facemask penalty put Iowa at Michigan’s 36 with 1:23 to go.
Duncan then drilled the ball through the uprights from nearly the exact same spot where Daniel Murray hit the winner eight years ago to knock Penn State out of the national title picture.
“It was an incredible feeling,” said Duncan, who was immediately mobbed by teammates and fans. “It’s definitely the biggest kick I’ve had.”
Duncan’s big kick was not only reminiscent to 2008, but 1985 — and Michigan was involved in that one. In perhaps the biggest game in the history of Kinnick Stadium, top-ranked Iowa beat No. 2 Michigan 12-10 on a field goal at the final whistle.
THE TAKEAWAY
Michigan: The Wolverines offense struggled mightily on a cold and windy night in Iowa City — where they had lost in each of their last three trips. Michigan’s top-ranked defense made up for it for much of the night, but a bad final series by its offense and a crushing penalty put Iowa in position to pull off the massive upset.
Iowa: After three straight homes losses and a 41-14 loss at Penn State last week, the Hawkeyes redeemed themselves. The defense looked like the one that was expected to help the Hawkeyes compete for a second straight Big Ten title, and the offense did just enough to give the program a win it sorely needed after weeks of listless play.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
It’s hard to see Michigan falling further than fourth in the Top 25 . One-loss Louisville and Ohio State could jump past the Wolverines, but all that matters is being in the top four when the playoff committee makes its selections.