Michigan got the ball to start the third quarter, but Broderick Binns batted down Tate Forcier’s third-down pass to force a three-and-out.
After gaining only three rushing yards in the first half, the right side of Iowa’s offensive line helped running back Adam Robinson rack up 41 yards on only three carries on the Hawkeyes’ first drive of the second half.
A 40-yard field goal from Daniel Murray put Iowa up 23-14 with 10:45 remaining in the quarter. That marked Murray’s third field goal of the night — a career high for the Iowa City native.
Iowa’s defense continued to stifle Forcier and Co., quickly putting a stop to the Wolverines’ next drive. Binns registered his second pass knockdown of the quarter on Forcier’s third-down pass.
Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw three consecutive incompletions on the Hawkeyes’ next possession, the last of which was nearly intercepted by Donovan Warren — the same player who returned Stanzi’s first-quarter interception for a touchdown.
Following Ryan Donahue’s 49-yard punt, Michigan running back Brandon Minor had gains of five, seven, nine, six, and 12 yards to put the Wolverines inside the red zone for only the second time all game.
Minor capped off the 10-play, 57-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run up the middle, brining the score to 23-21 with 4:23 remaining in the quarter.
The Hawkeyes got back to their running game on their next drive but were forced punt with just under a minute left in the quarter.
But Michigan’s Greg Mathews muffed the punt into his own red zone and Iowa’s William Lowe recovered the ball on Michigan’s 16 yard line, marking the Wolverines’ fourth turnover of the night.
At the end of the quarter, Iowa was facing a 3rd and goal from the 3 yard line.
Iowa 23, Michigan 21.
— by Scott Miller
