Easy to analyze this game:
Iowa and Michigan played each other equally statistically except for the score and turnover. Our two turnovers handed the Hawkeyes 10 points. We lost by 8. Good play by the defense including several 4 and 1 stands, valiant effort even with being on the field longer than desirable. Offense was inconsistent. Iowa played a better game than us. That's all there is to it.
In spite of acknowledging the above. We were robbed. By the officials. No way that Hemingway's catch at the end of the game gets called incomplete. He had control of the ball when his knee touched the ground in the endzone. Didn't fumble it either. Everyone knew it. Even Lou Holtz said it was a TD. Refs just didn't want to play an overtime. On the two subsequent plays the looked the other way on obvious pass interference calls. In fact the refs didn't seem to think pass interference needed to be called all day.
But that's not why we lost. Two dropped easy to catch passes by normally surehanded Junior Hemingway. other mistakes along the way. Couldn't get the run going against the stout Iowa defense. Two turnovers that gave points to the Hawkeyes. Defense gave us the chance to win. The offense didn't produce.
There is reason to be optimistic though. The final moments of the game were inspriring. Denard is capable of being a superb field general when he wants to. He looked great on that drive. Poised, precise. Looked a bit like a true pocket quarterback on that drive. Elsewhere during the game he did as well. Net year he will be awesome. We looked like a Michigan team of old today. Rusty. But a Michigan team. We'll learn from this. Watch out Illinois.
Nebraska got beat by Northwestern today, in Lincoln. Welcome to the Big Ten Huskers. The Big Ten ain't the walkover you thought it would be, is it. Penn State learned this a few years back. The race remains wide open.
Still, It's good to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Illini.
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