Week 14 of the 2023 college football season continued Saturday with No. 2 Michigan shutting out No. 17 Iowa, 26-0, in the Big Ten Football Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
J.J. McCarthy threw for 147 yards as Iowa’s pass rush got to him several times, but it didn’t matter as Blake Corum rushed for two scores and the Wolverines’ defense was outstanding, forcing three turnovers in the win.
With the victory, Michigan secured its third consecutive Big Ten title. The Wolverines almost certainly locked up a spot in the College Football Playoff, finishing the year with a perfect 13-0 mark.
Here are the top moments!
No. 2 Michigan 26, No. 17 Iowa 0
The scenes from the postgame celebration
When the clock hit zero in Indianapolis, Michigan players wanted to douse Jim Harbaugh with the traditional Gatorade bath. But the coach successfully sprinted away, missing the Gatorade shower.
Meanwhile, Corum expressed to Jenny Taft just how special Saturday’s win was, getting the victory on the anniversary of his knee surgery last season, which prevented him from playing in the College Football Playoff.
McCarthy also told Taft that Michigan still has better football ahead.
When the Wolverines took the podium, Harbaugh had one request: Give the Big Ten championship trophy to Zak Zinter. Michigan’s senior captain suffered a brutal leg injury last week, ending his decorated career in Ann Arbor. But he was still able to celebrate the team’s success.
As Michigan basked in the glow of winning a third straight Big Ten title, Joel Klatt asked Harbaugh how he felt after Saturday’s win. Michigan’s coach responded with the word that his players posted on social media after he received a three-game suspension in November.
“Bet!” Harbaugh yelled.
Harbaugh also dropped his favorite phrase during the postgame celebration.
Multiple Michigan players had MVP-worthy performances in Saturday’s game, but no one was as big for the Wolverines as Mike Sainristil, who forced two key fumbles in the win to earn MVP honors.
Michigan’s offensive and defensive stars of the game eventually joined the “Big Noon Kickoff” crew after the trophy celebration. Corum quoted Kobe Bryant as he stated that Michigan is still two wins away from its ultimate goal and Sainristil praised his head coach.
Forcing another fumble
Even with a 20-0 lead in the fourth quarter, Michigan’s defense didn’t stop making plays. Braiden McGregor came from Deacon Hill‘s blindside and knocked the ball out of the Iowa quarterback’s hand, forcing a fumble that gave Michigan the ball back at the Hawkeyes’ 15-yard line.
The Wolverines capitalized off the forced fumble a few plays later, kicking a field goal to go up, 23-0.
Michigan still scoring
The Wolverines began to put the game out of reach in the third quarter. After getting a fourth-down stop, Michigan added to its lead when James Turner made his second field goal of the day. The field goal gave the Wolverines a 20-0 lead late in the third quarter.
Fourth-and-stopped
Iowa tried to generate some positive offensive buzz with just over five minutes left in the third quarter, but Michigan prevented it from happening. The Wolverines were all over the Hawkeyes’ QB sneak attempt on fourth-and-1 from Michigan’s 44-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs.
Blake brings it home
Blake Corum got the Wolverines into the end zone just one play after they got the ball back, rushing for a 6-yard score that gave them a 17-0 lead. The touchdown was also the 55th rushing score of Corum’s collegiate career, tying him with Anthony Thomas for the most in program history.
A controversial fumble
Mike Sainristil forced his second fumble of the game on Iowa’s first drive of the second half, but it came in awkward fashion. The Michigan defensive back blitzed and hit Hill as he was about to throw the ball, causing the ball to flutter in the air.
A replay review determined that Sainristil hit Hill’s arm before the quarterback threw a pass, reversing the call on the field. It was also determined that Michigan made a clean recovery of the ball, giving the Wolverines possession in the red zone.
Referees rule that Iowa’s Deacon Hill fumbles and Michigan recovers
Adding to Michigan’s fortune, Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz was whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, putting the Wolverines at the Hawkeyes’ 6-yard line.
J.J. nearly gives it away
The Michigan quarterback threw a ball right at an Iowa defender that was nearly intercepted on the opening drive of the second half. While Iowa didn’t come up with the interception, it was able to get Michigan’s offense off the field and force a punt.
Sid gets the win!
Sid won a tight battle in the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway at halftime of the Big Ten title game, getting 15 of his passes in the bucket to earn $100,000 in scholarship money.
Shutting it down
Michigan was looking to sneak in some points and extend its 10-0 lead before halftime. But J.J. McCarthy was greeted by the Iowa defense again in the backfield, getting sacked by Logan Lee to end the first half.
Punch out!
Iowa had its best field position of the game in the middle of the second quarter. But on third-and-2 from Michigan’s 30-yard line, Mike Sainristil hit the ball out of Jaziun Patterson‘s arms, giving the Wolverines the ball back.
Hawkeyes hawk J.J. McCarthy
Iowa came up with a big third-down sack in the second quarter. McCarthy couldn’t find anyone open downfield, scrambling all over the pocket before falling down as he was being chased down.
Third-and-sacked
Deontae Craig stepped up with Michigan facing a third-and-12 early in the second quarter, coming up with a big sack to end the Wolverines’ drive and getting his team the ball back down.
Blake feeling great
It didn’t take long for Blake Corum to reach the end zone. On the second play of the drive, Blake Corum ran right up the gut for a 2-yard score, giving the Wolverines a 10-0 lead.
What a return!
Michigan’s biggest play of the first quarter came from its special teams. After forcing another Iowa punt, Semaj Morgan made a move and ran right up the middle, seeing daylight in front of him. An Iowa defender was eventually able to chase him down, but not before he was pushed out of bounds at the 5-yard line for an 87-yard return.
Semaj Morgan’s ELECTRIC 87-yard punt return sets up Blake Corum’s TD as Michigan extends lead over Iowa
Taking the early lead
Michigan opted not to go for it on fourth-and-1 from Iowa’s 17-yard line, deciding to take the points instead. James Turner connected on the 35-yard field goal to give Michigan a 3-0 lead with over six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Big pickup
Even after a false start on fourth-and-2, Michigan still opted to go for it on fourth-and-7 from Iowa’s 36-yard line on its opening drive. J.J. McCarthy helped the Wolverines get the first down, throwing a dart to Cornelius Johnson for a 10-yard pickup.
Zinter comes out for the pregame toss
Zak Zinter joined his fellow Michigan captains for Saturday’s coin toss after suffering a season-ending leg injury last week.
Michigan won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.
Here come the teams!
Michigan and Iowa took the field with Charles Woodson helping to introduce the Wolverines, while George Kittle helped introduce the Hawkeyes.
Setting the stage
Michigan guard Zak Zinter, who fractured his leg in last week’s win over Ohio State, obviously won’t be playing on Saturday, but will be on the sideline. He checked in on social media ahead of Saturday’s primetime tilt.
Joel Klatt, who’ll be on the call for Saturday’s game, shared why the return of Jim Harbaugh is important for Michigan.
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