Gameday Diary 2nd half, Iowa vs Michigan

3rd Quarter

• MI goes 3 and out on first possession
• 14 - Robinson gives a good effort on a run, but it's called back for holding.
• 13 - Kirk and Brent start discussing IA's pink visitor's locker room. I meant to do a short post on this, but haven't yet. It's coming soon.
• 12 1/2 - Stanzi rushes for a 1st down
• 12 - Robinson rushes for another first down. All runs so far this half have been to the right side. I think O'keefe figured something out here.
• 11 - 3rd and 4 in MI territory. Stanzi ways underthrows the pass. IA settles for FG again. 23-14
• 10 - Michigan is trying to put together a drive. 3rd and 5, IA almost intercepts the pass. Another solid 3rd down stop for IA.
• 8 - 3 and out for IA, almost another interception at IA's own 20, but Moeaki has the presence of mind to hit the defender causing him to drop the ball. AHHH! Thank you Tony!
• 6 1/2 - Minor is rolling down the field. It looks like he's running downhill...IA needs to do something to slow him down.
• 4 1/2 - Another TD for Minor, he looks winded. He should. He just ran for about every gain that last possession. 23-21
• 4 - IA is forced to punt after little success, but by a stroke of luck the MI punt returner fumbles and IA recovers on the MI 21 yard line. Another MI turnover! Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good!
• :30 - Moeaki receives pass from Stanzi for 1st and goal.
• At this point I start nervously talking to myself, saying things like "IA really needs a TD right now" and "Come on, come on" My wife looks up from the computer and says "Are they winning?" I'm glad she's keeping up with her new team so well.

4th Quarter

• 15 - on 3rd down Wegher is stopped short. IA decides to go for it.
• 14 1/2 - IA runs a beautiful fake RB jump play(similar to what they ran in the 1st half), Stanzi rolls out and tries to throw it to Moeaki, but pass is broken up. Musberger thinks Stanzi could have run it in.
• 13 1/2 - MI 4th and 10 on the 2 yard line. Great defensive sequence for IA.
• 13 - IA 1st and 10, MI totally anticipating standard run on 1st down, Stanzi fakes the run, rolls out to find Moeaki again for another TD!!!! 30-21
  
  


• 12 1/2 - Forcier almost throws another inteception, proceeded by RR mouthing "COME ON, TATE!" Dude looks mad. Seems like IA's D is starting to wear them down. MI hasn't been able to do much on their last few possessions.
• 10 - IA starts another offensive possession, Robinson has a nice run called back due to holding
• 9 - Robinson gets it again for 14 yards, 2nd and 6
• 8 - IA can't do much with it and punts again. William Lowe gets called for personal foul on punt return. Dude got suckered into it by the MI player, but the refs only saw Lowe react. William, William, William...
• 7 1/2 - The best coaching decision by RR all night. Benches Forcier for Denard Robinson. DENARD, what kind of name is that? Could his mom not pronounce her Bs? Was it supposed to be Bernard? Ranks up there with Anfernee Hardaway.
• Shot of Denard Robinson's shoes. Apparently he doesn't tie them??? but he does use velcrow to keep them on...Moving on...
• 7-3 - Robinson and Minor rush down the field and score another TD. That looked way too easy. I'm not liking the change in the tone of this game. 30-28
• 2 1/2 - IA needs to keep the ball and run out the clock, but can't get the 1st. It's up to the D now. Oh man, it shouldn't have to come down to this.
• 1 1/2 - MI pushed back inside the 20. Robinson stays in the game. It's crunchtime!
• 1 - All MI needs is a FG. Robinson tries to go long to get into FG range, but the pass is picked off by Greenwood.
• Game! Final Score 30-28
• My wife turns to me , "Is it over? So, they won?" Yes, they won.

A couple things:

1) IA is 6-0. One of their best starts in years. I guess I picked a good year to start cheering for them. As a matter of fact, maybe this is why they're winning. Your welcome Hawkeye fans

2) Moeaki is the player of the game to me. He was blocking all over the field and had 2 TD receptions. Nice to have the big fragile guy back. When he's healthy, the offense looks much better.

3) I don't like having fun at someone's expense, but part of me cheered when Forcier was benched. Everytime I tried to feel sorry for him, I remembered his website and then it disappeared.

On to Wisconsin next week! IA has got this far, the hardest part is still to come.