Michigan vs. Iowa Game Balls

The Michigan Wolverines are 5-0 for the third time below head coach Jim Harbaugh after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 27-14 on Saturday. The victory marked Michigan’s first victory at Kinnick Stadium since 2005 and the Wolverines’ third straight victory in opposition to Iowa.

From the opening drive, Michigan set the tone on each strains of scrimmage and executed a sport plan centered round physicality and ball safety. The Wolverines methodically opened up a 20-to-zip lead after three quarters earlier than embracing a conservative sport plan to salt this one away.

The ultimate rating made the sport appear even nearer than it was, however Michigan in the end escaped the stadium “the place high 5 groups go to die” and stay undefeated.

Let’s hand out some sport balls!

Edge Mike Morris

The cross dashing stress was inconsistent at greatest in opposition to the Hawkeyes however when the Wolverines wanted it, Mike Morris answered the bell. With 3:45 remaining in a 13-point sport, Morris sacked Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras on first down and compelled an errant throw as a consequence of his stress on second down. Fellow cross rusher Eyabi Okie helped assure this possession was a four-and-out, and subsequently, the ball sport.

Morris completed with three tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries, the latter three led the workforce.

Morris and the Michigan protection held Iowa scoreless within the first half — the Hawkeyes had not been shut out within the first half at residence since 2012. Moreover, Iowa’s 35 dashing yards had been the third-lowest output by a Hawkeye workforce in its final 40 video games. The opposite two: one dashing yard in opposition to Michigan in 2019 and 24 dashing yards in opposition to Michigan in 2021.

QB J.J. McCarthy

Final week in opposition to Maryland, J.J. McCarthy seemed uncomfortable when his preliminary learn wasn’t open and persistently discovered himself forcing the problem and enjoying “hero ball.” On Saturday — in his first profession highway begin — McCarthy displayed the poise of a veteran as he picked aside the nation’s top-ranked protection.

McCarthy completed 18-for-24 (really decreasing his absurd completion proportion on the season) for 155 yards and one landing. But it surely’s the command and luxury displayed by the younger signal-caller incomes him this sport ball. McCarthy at all times took what the protection sport him and embraced a conservative workforce technique targeted on ball safety.

Now, if he can simply hit one deep ball, he’ll open up the offense for your entire unit.

Your complete OL

Why was McCarthy capable of play so comfortably? Why was working again Blake Corum capable of gash Iowa’s protection repeatedly? The offensive line dominated from begin to end.

The unit is lastly absolutely wholesome, as they welcomed again beginning left guard Trevor Keegan, who didn’t miss a beat after lacking a while. Keegan, Ryan Hayes, Olu Oluwatimi, Zak Zinter and Trente Jones have seemed Joe Moore Award-worthy the final two weeks in cross safety, and particularly blocking for the run. Take a look at the outlet created to ice the sport by this group and tight finish Luke Schoonmaker:

Till Saturday, Iowa’s protection had solely allowed 24 factors all season by 4 video games. Even with a conservative strategy, behind this unit’s efficiency, Michigan was capable of cling 27 factors by a balanced assault by the air and on the bottom.

Honorable Mentions

EDGE Eyabi Okie – He’s getting higher each week and I’d be stunned if he’s not a constant contributor by the Penn State sport.

RB Blake Corum – Corum was unimaginable, however for the sake of parity he can’t win a sport ball each week.

DT Mason Graham – The true freshman completed with a sack and a deal with for loss.