No. 12 Iowa hangs on to beat Michigan 30-28

By LUKE MEREDITH, AP Sports Writer Oct 11, 1:16 am EDT

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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)—Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi always seems to make up for his early miscues.

Michigan’s Tate Forcier didn’t get a chance to do the same.

Stanzi threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns after he was picked off on his first pass, and No. 12 Iowa survived yet another close call, beating Michigan 30-28 Saturday night for its best start since 1985 and the Hawkeyes’ first 10-game winning streak in more than 80 years.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez pulled an ineffective Forcier in the fourth quarter. Fellow freshman Denard Robinson led a touchdown drive capped by his own 3-yard run, and Michigan got the ball back with 1:30 left. But Robinson was intercepted by Brett Greenwood with 46 seconds left, keeping the Hawkeyes (6-0, 2-0), the only unbeaten team left in the Big Ten.

Iowa has won three home games by a total of just six points, but the Hawkeyes have never been all that interested in style points anyway.

“We’re going to have to fight adversity, and we’ve had to do that a lot in our football games, and that’s just going to help build character,” Stanzi said. “We’re excited about the record, but there’s still a lot of football left.”

Iowa won its 10th straight, the Hawkeyes’ longest streak since they won 20 in a row from 1920-1923.

Michigan (4-2, 1-2) had a season-worst five turnovers. Forcier was 8 of 19 for 94 yards and an interception, and Rodriguez said that Forcier, who has been struggling with a shoulder injury, wasn’t at 100 percent.

Rodriguez also did his best to squash any notions of a quarterback controversy and denied that he and Forcier exchanged words on the sideline.

“Tate made some plays that he’d probably like to have back, but we made a change to get a little spark,” Rodriguez said. “Denard gave us a little spark at the end, we just didn’t finish it off.”

Michigan’s Donovan Warren ran back a Stanzi interception for a touchdown in the game’s first minute and Brandon Minor scored twice for the Wolverines.

Tony Moeaki had two wide-open TD catches for Iowa, but nothing else came easily for the Hawkeyes.

Michigan was trailing 23-21 when it stuffed Iowa on a 4th-and-goal at the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter, ending a drive kept alive when Michigan muffed a punt at its 16 and would have been flagged for roughing anyway. Stevie Brown broke up Stanzi’s pass on 4th-and-goal from the 1.

But Iowa’s defense then forced a three-and-out, and Stanzi found Moeaki for a 42-yard touchdown pass on the first play after the punt to make it 30-21 with 12:56 left.

Though Robinson led Michigan on a 59-yard scoring drive, his errant pass sent Michigan to its second straight loss—both on the road after a 4-0 start.

“We knew he wasn’t a good passer, but he was coming in to run the ball,” Iowa linebacker Jeremiah Hunter said. “When he did throw the ball, we did get the pick.”

Michigan’s offense, which had been stymied since scoring late in the first quarter, put together a 57-yard scoring drive midway through the third quarter. Minor, who rushed for 95 yards and the first two running TDs on Iowa all year, scored from 1 yard out to make it 23-21.

Iowa, despite rushing for three yards in the first half, led 20-14 at the break.

The Hawkeyes took that lead midway through the second quarter behind Stanzi, who threw a 47-yard pass to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos on third and 24 to set up a 1-yard TD leap by Brandon Wegher.

Stanzi’s first pass went directly to Warren, who took a gift-wrapped interception 40 yards for a touchdown just 46 seconds in.

It was the third Stanzi pick this season that was returned for a touchdown— but he made up for it on Iowa’s next possession.

Sensing a blitz, Stanzi checked out of the original play and Moeaki was sent into the flat. Moeaki was wide open, and Stanzi found him for a 34-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 7.

“It’s tough to rattle him,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of Stanzi. “I’m really proud of the way he’s led our football team.”

Forcier then threw an interception on his first pass, setting up Daniel Murray’s 28-yard field goal.

Michigan answered immediately, jumping back ahead 14-10 on a 3-yard TD run by Minor. It the first rushing touchdown allowed by Iowa in 33 quarters.

This was the first meeting between the Hawkeyes and the Wolverines since 2006 and just the seventh game under the lights at Kinnick Stadium, which doesn’t even have permanent lighting. Temperatures were in the mid-30s at kickoff.

It was the coldest college game for Forcier, from the San Diego area.

It was also the first time since 1985 that Iowa played the Wolverines as the higher-ranked team. In that one, the top-ranked Hawkeyes beat No. 2 Michigan 12-10.

Iowa has now won 10 straight dating back to last season, and their win over Michigan solidified their status as legitimate Big Ten title contenders—even though the Hawkeyes have made a habit of sweating out victories.

“Everyone staying together. That’s what it comes down to,” Stanzi said. “You can’t focus so much on a little play. If everyone sticks together, that’s when we can be at our best.”

Updated Oct 11, 1:16 am EDT
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Head to Head - Week 6

Team Total Yds Pass Yds Rush Yds First Downs 3rdD% Pen./Yds Turnovers Time of Poss.
Michigan 319 124 195 18 27.3% 3/25 5 27:45
Iowa 367 284 83 17 44.4% 5/45 1 32:15
NCAAF

245 Comments

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  1. BrianK
    245. Posted by BrianK Wed Oct 14 6:52pm EDT

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    Hey what happened to the Iowa player who got flagged for the 15-yard penalty for hitting another player during the game? I am not trying to be biased here, but there have been players getting suspended every week for stuff like that(I.E. Michigan linebacker, Mouton)? Someone is getting off real easy this week....Iowa!
  2. <i>p_mansheim</i>
    244. Posted by p_mansheim Mon Oct 12 5:48pm EDT

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    Wow Stephen J, you obviously don't know much about Iowa football and your excuses for poor SEC play against Iowa is pathetic. If you refer to bowl games as meaningless, we should throw the whole system out and disregard that a game picks who the national champions are. It means we should disregard the whole system that allows you to believe that the Big 10 is weak and that the SEC is your almighty savior. Saying that Iowa is 3-1 is meaningless means all your attacks on the Big 10 as not performing in bowl games is meaningless. Think your arguement out. Iowa has the speed and talent to play against anyone. They may not win every game but they play beyond the expectations. Which brings me to my next point about high recruits as it shows you know nothing about Iowa. Their best recruiting year was the class of 2005 but outside that they are typically outside the top 25. They start recruits most have never heard of. Ferentz has been developing players like Amari Spivey, a 2-star recruit who is a highly-regarded CB now. If thats not a strength, you can join all your SEC-only cronies and jerk off thinkin your conference is the only one that succeeds.

    High expectations? Iowa is typically projected between 3-5 in the Big 10. This year a preseason ranking #21. They are exceeding expectations now. And I think going on the road and beating a PSU team is an impressive game. It obviously is among sportswriters as they are the AP voters and I have a feeling they know a bit more about it all than you. But people like you will continue to knock Iowa and go ahead. It won't change the fact that Iowa is 6-0 nor the rankings.
  3. Stephen J
    243. Posted by Stephen J Mon Oct 12 2:42pm EDT

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    236. Don't give me ridiculous nonsense about meaningless bowl games against the SEC. You beat Zook in his lame duck firing year, wow. South Carolina in a meaningless December bowl and what, Meyer in his first year? Nice. When was the last time the Hawks actually really won anything impressive? Or even something unimpressive, like a Big 11 conference title? Iowa has done nothing but underachieve year after year, claiming great recruiting classes, media darlings being rated in the top 10 pre-season a few times in the past 5 years only to promptly tank. Ferentz's only real strength is letting dozens of wayward players off the hook with little or no punishment. He's worse than Tedford for big potential, mediocre results. Iowa will lose to OSU and at least one of the other Big 11 patsies on their schedule. But, you're probably good enough to finally get two in a row of Indiana for the first time in what? 5 years? Joke team getting a big boost from beating a vastly overrated PSU team ranked on a reputation from the 70s.
  4. joe z
    242. Posted by joe z Mon Oct 12 1:51pm EDT

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    hey, da fat man. u really talk a big game. You love to talk about homosexuality. Maybe you are confused and should just come out. There is nothing wrong with being gay. Everyone is and should be equal in the "real" America, dumb ass. I am willing to bet you wouldn't have the balls to talk this crap to people face to face...... Am I right????
  5. bored at work
    241. Posted by bored at work Mon Oct 12 12:11pm EDT

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    Jmoll76; agree totally. I'm afraid that going smaller on the O line will not be conducive to the qb having time in the pocket. Michigan has always been able to recruit those big fast game breaking receivers as well and I'm afraid that big time receiver recruits won't want to come play on a spread offense. In some aspects it is good for a receiver because they will get their touches against lesser defenses but without a dominating O line the QB just won't have the time to get it downfield. Mobility helps but the size of the Big 10 D Lines will eventually wear on the smaller Michigan Line. I hope the passing game doesn't suffer but you are exactly right, Michigan always had that strong pocket passer and play making receivers. A top level passing game is possible with the right recruits but if the O line doesn't provide protection to the QB and the QB can't get the ball downfield then top notch recruits won't come to Michigan. Rich Rod needs to realize the defenses in the Big 10 are better than the defenses in the Big East (no offense Big East fans), they make adjustments quickly. The spread will wow the opposing D for a quarter or maybe two but after that they won't fool anybody. The Big 10 plays defense and prides itself on it's defense, the teams don't believe in the strategy of shootouts.
  6. Arthur W
    240. Posted by Arthur W Mon Oct 12 11:58am EDT

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    Hey, I bleed maze and blue threw and threw, But I got to agree the big 11 is a bunch of week sisters.
  7. Arthur W
    239. Posted by Arthur W Mon Oct 12 11:55am EDT

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    Hey
  8. <i>jmoll76</i>
    238. Posted by jmoll76 Mon Oct 12 11:46am EDT

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    To "Bored at work"

    I know what you're feeling - I'm writing this to keep from falling asleep at my desk....

    Thanks for the UM comments. You hit on a few points that I hadn't thought of - now I'm more worried about UM than before. Thanks. I will say that UM's pass defense appeared to be slightly less picked apart than in previous games (except for the two long TD passes). Not sure if this represents improvement, or that Iowa's passing game is not quite as good as was ND and MSU (?).

    Actually, the thing I worry most about in the RichRod era is that UM's passing game will suffer. One of the underrated aspects of UM's game in the 90's and 00's (aught's?) is that they had a very effective passing game (Think Grbac, Collins, Brady, Henson, Griese, Henne - a couple of whom have made an impact at the next level; not to mention the plethora of WR's and TE's that were good enough to make it to the NFL) . I don't know enough about football to know whether RichRod's scheme inevitably mean that we can't have a top-level passing game.

    BTW, congratulations to Iowa.
  9. bored at work
    237. Posted by bored at work Mon Oct 12 11:16am EDT

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    Michigan Go, the "little tate" post was hilarious by the way.
    Jmoll76, they have a long way to go. The D will be fine, I like the speed but the secondary needs a LOT of work. Iowa picked them apart, MSU picked them apart, and ND destroyed them. If they want to beat Clark and PSU with those big physical receivers they need to get their act together. Over the next couple of years Rodriguez will make the offense a shell of its former self, which is good but to be competitive in the Big 10 the spread will only take a team so far, ask Juice Williams and Illinois. The ability to play a power run game is important. I am a little worried about the direction the offensive line is taking, I understand mobility is important but the lack of size is going to come back and hurt them when they take on the big powerful D lines of the Big 10. At first Iowa was surprised but they made the adjustment, and they made the adjustment quickly. Expect PSU and OSU to make those adjustments just as fast. Don't get me wrong, the spread is great but they need to ensure they have the ability for the power run game. Another worry for me is Tate's ability to handle pressure. He played Iowa and looked like a deer in the headlights, no offense Iowa fans, but how is he going to handle the pressure of playing in THE rivalry game against Ohio State?
  10. <i>p_mansheim</i>
    236. Posted by p_mansheim Mon Oct 12 11:08am EDT

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    Everyone here seems to forget that Iowa is now 6-0. Doesn't matter how you win the games because I'd rather be a 6-0 team with close wins then a 4-2 team that blows out the competition in the wins. Thats the only arguement people who drudge up UNI and Arkansas State have and yet it doesn't matter because they have still won all their games. I can't say the same for Cal, Oregon, Oklahoma, LSU, Georgia, Auburn, OSU, USC, Michigan, Penn State, and on and on and on. In the end, it's the same record as Florida, Bama, and Texas. A close win is a win and thats the only reason why Iowa isn't ranked higher is because of its close wins.

    On another note, Iowa is 3-1 against the SEC in the last 4 bowl games they have played against them (the one loss is protested by any true Iowa fan as they were unfairly cheated of their OPPORTUNITY, not guaranteed victory, by horrid officiating... look at 2006 florida iowa bowl on youtube and you'll know that it was bad officiating that influenced the game). With victories over teams such as Florida, LSU, and South Carolina, Iowa has been competitive with anyone it plays in the SEC. So while people may think that the Big 10 is weak (and for all I care, the Big 10 may be weak), Iowa has played competitively and won against the SEC this decade. Thus, if you believe that Iowa couldn't win against the SEC, they have and they won against 2 of your top teams (South Carolina doesn't get considered as a top team, mediocre team if you put them in any major conference).
  11. <i>jmoll76</i>
    235. Posted by jmoll76 Mon Oct 12 10:57am EDT

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    I'm still not sure about how good of a coach RichRod is, but it's clear that UM is much improved from last year. Even though they lost the last two, they were competitive and could have won both. It will be interesting to see if he can bring the program back in the next couple of years. What do other UM fans think? Also, the defense seemed to be a little bit better than in previous weeks. Any comments?
  12. yankeeboy
    234. Posted by yankeeboy Mon Oct 12 10:50am EDT

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    They win but they DON'T cover the spread !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  13. USC
    233. Posted by USC Mon Oct 12 10:48am EDT

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    Guess you could not pay off the officials, huh Michigan...
  14. bored at work
    232. Posted by bored at work Mon Oct 12 10:47am EDT

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    Wow Fat Man, momma and gay jokes, i'll bet you are all tapped out from all that thinking. What's the matter, OSU fans threw you off their boards so you had to come to a board that had absolutely no relevance to your team at all to "talk trash." And what talking it was, I know I was impressed. You managed to string together momma, gay, and inbred jokes; are you speaking from experience? Just asking, it seems to come rather easy for you unlike reading, and getting a date. Oh wait, I set you up Fat Man, I'll spare all the posters the anticipation of waiting for your post, "I got a date with your mom" good one fat man. But to actually get a date with my mom you'll have to put down the bag of doritos, and get out of your parents basement. Oh and by the way, chatting over the internet with two "girls" doesn't count as a threesome.
  15. <i>sal_rosenfelt</i>
    231. Posted by sal_rosenfelt Mon Oct 12 10:33am EDT

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    da fat man, you are an ignorant human being. If you don't like Michigan stop reading about them I would be embarrassed for you to be a fan of any team I pulled for. I don't know who you pull for im guessing Ohio St or any SEC team, but go away.

    GO BLUE!
  16. bored at work
    230. Posted by bored at work Mon Oct 12 10:31am EDT

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    From a MI fan; Hawks, good game, you played fundamental football. Michigan committed five turnovers, granted they weren't forced (except the one by Minor), just mental mistakes and it shows you can't commit five turnovers and expect to win. On a positive note, they DID commit five turnovers and only lost by two points on the road, but a loss is a loss and I tip my hat to the Hawkeyes. All Michigan can do is chalk it up as a learning experience and work on execution, which was for the most part, flawless by Iowa. Fans can "what if" games all day long, and make excuses for their teams but when it boils down to it a loss is a loss. It was a great game and somebody had to lose. Forcier losing his composure and lets face it, RichRod didn't exactly help matters all that much plus five turnovers plus trying to be flashy and pretty all contributed to the loss. But the main reason Michigan lost was they were outplayed by a fundamentally sound, well coached football team. Go back, watch the film, figure out what needs to be improved and fix it for the next game. Once again, from a Michigan fan to the Hawkeyes fans, good game and good luck with the rest of your season, I hope you go far. OSU fans, good game as well, fantastic defense which is good because you'll need it against PSU. With Iowa and PSU still out there lurking I wouldn't be so quick to claim the Big 10 title.
  17. da fat man
    229. Posted by da fat man Mon Oct 12 10:27am EDT

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    I forgot, in the spirit of chivalry, I will agree with "Me m" on one of her statements....The one where she says "Michigan does not suck", you're right young lady, they SWALLOW!
  18. Shawn
    228. Posted by Shawn Mon Oct 12 10:16am EDT

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    Hey all you dumb idiots that say UM is playing a nobody this weekend. The last time I looked every team in the big ten has played two nobodys this year. Including Iowa. And they allmost got beat by them twice. Iowa has to many close teams to be ranked any higher than 20. So untill u idiots get your facts straight and know what the hell your talking about, shut the hell up. Cause you making yourself look like a fool. Im not a big ten fan, but both of these teams are good and after watching the game I can say that UM has the better team, and they would have beat Iowa if it werent for the turnovers. Iwa would get the @#$% kicked out of them against a Oregon, or Flordia, or some team with that talent. So untill you corn farmers get a high profile win. SHUT THE HELL UP!!!
  19. da fat man
    227. Posted by da fat man Mon Oct 12 9:54am EDT

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    @Me m......Tell your fat momma thanks for giving us the swine flu, the fat sow. Just like your lover/brother "Michigan Go", you seem to be under the delusion that being inbred/homosexual is natural and widespread. Well the only thing widespread, apart from your momma's legs, is the recognition that Michigan screwed up horribly when they put all their eggs(ovaries) into the Rodriguez basket(Vagina). Just because the Wolverqueen faithful are stupid enough to think that beating up a weaker schedule than last year means you're now a legit program; the rest of the world(the THINKING world), understands that weakening the competition doesn't equate to strengthening the program. You ladies shall soon find out. Well, perhaps not since the past 2 embarrassments haven't helped.
  20. da fat man
    226. Posted by da fat man Mon Oct 12 9:47am EDT

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    @Michigan Go......Aka the broken record......Let's see, there seems to be a reflexive theme to every single post you make, which is "Come outta the closet and join me". Here's a little tip for you, no not the same type of little tip your daddy gives your tonsils; homosexuality is generally DISCOURAGED in other regions of the country. I suppose I understand the confidence that you and "Me m" feel living in the queerest state in the union to frolic around unabashedly with sperm stains on your chest; however in "real" america that isn't encouraged. Just because the Michigan state color is pink and the state song is "Dueling Banjos" doesn't mean it's that way everywhere else. I understand that San Francisco is Detroit's sister city? I guess that would make Forcier the 49ers sister qb. You and your Wolverqueen lover/buddy can go back to uncle daddy's basement and resume your threesome with the Ricky Martin blowup doll you got for Christmas last year.
  21. Stephen J
    225. Posted by Stephen J Mon Oct 12 9:18am EDT

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    As usual, the Big 11 gets into conference play and everyone forgets how pathetic the whole conference is. The signature game for the entire conference an OSU loss to a USC team at home, with USC playing 13 new starters, a frosh qb give 1/10th the playbook in a vanilla gameplan. The other, a last minute UM win over a horrendously overrated ND team. In the meantime, Purdue, MSU are losing to directional Michigan and Illinois schools, Illinois is getting crushed by everyone, OSU needs a fluke extra point return for two to beat Navy, Iowa is needing two missed field goals to beat Northern Iowa and a little luck to beat Arkansas State at home; a team that lost to Troy by the same margin and Nebraska beat by 30. This all on the heels of another pathetic bowl showing (1-7). Sure the Big11 conference play is fun to watch with all the pagentry and rivalries, but the only competitiveness in the whole conference is with each other. As proven year after year, as soon as they play any truly competitive team, they fold.
  22. <i>lbbuilders_tc</i>
    224. Posted by lbbuilders_tc Mon Oct 12 8:53am EDT

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    Lucky for UM they get to come home and play the Elementary Girls school for the blind this week. If (big if) they can some how pull this one out, all you UM fans can start talking your s@!t again about how great your team is and that your a real contender. That is until Penn State wipes up field with you, then you can go back to your excuses and complaintes about other teams. Cry on babys!
  23. Me M
    223. Posted by Me M Mon Oct 12 7:55am EDT

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    sorry, da fat slob does tend to raise my temper a bit. Shouldn't bite on his/her nonsense, I just get sick of the Michigan bashing. Maybe some of the idiot UM posters ask for it, I don't know. Michigan does not suck, they have competed in every game even when it seems like they should be scoring copious points and self destruct. Anyone who knows football sees a very young team, with some injuries at key positions, playing pretty hard. This fiction about RR having an anger problem is just fiction. Woody Hayes had an anger problem. People speculate about why Forcier did not play the last series. Good question, but unanswered until RR explains. Just like the dumb call BY THE PUNTER to call a fake deep in own territory; the RR bashers wanted to blame coach. Perhaps he should have made it clearer to the punter not to call that, but sometimes coaches rely on their players to make the right call in an obvious situation. Get off RR's back, most of the comments about him are deep rooted in hatred, non objective, and undeserved. Why aren't the OSU fans criticizing Tressel for his over conservative play calling that lost them one game (SC) and nearly another (Navy), and could have cost them the Wisconsin game? Well, like other posters have pointed out, OSU fans are filled with vitriol, hatred, and treat visitors so horribly that many UM fans refuse to bring their children to Columbus because of the manner in which those rednecks spew their hatred even toward families and fans with children. Worst I have ever seen, an opinion so shared that polls even reflect the reality.

    Go Blue, your teams demonstrate class, your fans are great.
  24. <i>csurf1962</i>
    222. Posted by csurf1962 Mon Oct 12 3:33am EDT

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    Ohio State Sux @ # 200,
    Michigan 5 turnovers - Iowa is not lucky, your team just sucks.
    Michigan couldn't cream OSU if the Bucks played with 9 men the whole game.
    Predicting losses for OSU - You can't will it.
    Embarrassment - 2008 Michigan going 3-9. Also, 5 straight losses & 7 of 8 to OSU.

    Q. What Bowl did Michigan play in last year????
    A. THE TOILET BOWL
  25. ia
    221. Posted by ia Mon Oct 12 2:19am EDT

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    "Iowa got lucky. Fact. 5 turnovers = lucky. Michigan should have easily won by 14 points. "Ohio_State_SUX
    What game did you watch? I never knew you had to be lucky to create 5 turnovers!!! The sad thing is that you are still talking smack. How about man up and admit Michigan completely sucked. Actually if Iowa would have scored touchdowns instead of field goals it would have been at least a 14 point victory but i guess Iowa wasnt LUCKY ENOUGH!! OSU is gonna pound Michigan!!! BTW Michigan hasnt been winning their bowl games either when they actually make it to a bowl game. Iowa was the ONLY TEAM that won thier bowl game from the big ten last year. GO HAWKS!!!
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