Big Plays Key to Big Win

Oct. 16, 2010

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Big college football games are won by big-time college football players making big plays when it matters most. The nationally ranked Iowa Hawkeyes did just that Saturday inside Michigan’s “Big House,” bouncing back from an opening shot to the jaw and overcoming a 21-point fourth quarter by the home team to claim a 38-28 victory.

The win – powered by the most points ever scored by an Iowa football team against Michigan – pushed the Hawkeyes to 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference and 5-1 overall. Kirk Ferentz’s squad now returns to historic Kinnick Stadium for two straight home games – Wisconsin next week and Michigan State on “Blackout Saturday” and Halloween – to close the month of October.

Where to begin? The easiest starting point is running back Adam Robinson. The super sophomore from Des Moines carried the ball a remarkable 31 times for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His biggest of big plays? A 26-yard run after catch on a third-and-eight that set up Mike Meyers’ 30-yard field goal that gave Iowa its final margin of victory.

Or, how about Derrell Johnson-Koulianos? He became Iowa’s all-time leading receiver as measured by yards gained with four catches for 70 yards and three – yes, three – touchdowns. DJK also contributed a pair of kick returns for 62 total yards including a best of 40. The senior’s second scoring grab was a thing of beauty because the talented receiver not only beat the Michigan defense on the 31-yard play, he beat Mother Nature: When he made his cut he turned and was greeted by full sun, a brilliant full sun that had not yet settled behind the shiny new press box at Michigan Stadium.

Or, how about Tyler Sash? The heady senior from Oskaloosa secured his 12th career interception early in the second quarter. Then, later, he picked up a blocked field goal attempt and took it 36 yards, a play that helped propel Iowa to a touchdown.

Speaking of that blocked field goal, the mitt that got in the way belonged to none other than Adrian Clayborn. It was his third blocked kick of his career…but it wasn’t the all-American’s biggest play of the game. That came after Iowa pushed the score to 38-28. On the Wolverines’ next possession, Clayborn sacked UM quarterback Tate Forcier for a loss of nine that closed the door on any miracles and sent the Homecoming crowd of 113,000 heading for the exits.

Or how about Karl Klug? One of Iowa’s big uglies in the middle had eight total tackles. He also forced the game’s only fumble on a first and 10 with Michigan knocking on the door. Teammates Mike Daniels fell on it and the scoring threat was squelched.

Last but not least, perhaps, is the field general, Ricky Stanzi. Iowa’s senor quarterback was near brilliant: 17 of 24, 248 yards and three touchdowns against zero picks. His big play? It was a big drive, actually, that started with just less than 7 minutes left to play: 10 plays, 40 yards, and four minutes that ended with the game’s only field goal.

“It was a great team effort,” said Kirk Ferentz, who noted Iowa’s 4-0 advantage in turnovers. “They are always critical to the outcome, particularly in league games, and proved to be again today.”

Big plays.