#FlashbackFriday: Michigan

So....Iowa hosts the #2 team in the nation this week. Iowa is coming off its most embarrassing conference loss since the 2014 Minnesota debacle. Michigan is mowing down every opponent in its path. Yeah this should be fun. But ya know what? Last time we saw these two teams on the field, it was fun for the Hawkeyes. In 2013, Iowa overcame a 21-7 halftime deficit to defeat Big Blue and even bigger Brady Hoke 24-21 on senior day at Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa has played Michigan 59 times in history and only won 14 times. But six of those are by Ferentz-coached teams. Yes, Kirk is 6-5 against the historical powerhouse. But it should be noted that the last decade or so has not exactly been the Michigan most folks grew up seeing. Jim Harbaugh seems to have the Wolverines knocking on the door of a return to glory, however.

2013 was thought to be a rebound season for the Hawkeyes, who finished up 8-5 after the god awful 2012 campaign. However, given the amount of NFL talent on the roster, one could argue that the 2013 Hawkeyes underperformed. Future NFL mainstays Christian Kirksey, Anthony Hitchens, Carl Davis, Brandon Scherff, and CJ Fiedorowicz joined temporary NFLers James Morris and Louis Trinca-Pasat. Oh, and a little-known freshman named “King” was a starting CB.

Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images

The game itself started off not-so-great with Jake Rudock throwing a pick-6 less than two minutes into the game. In all, the Hawkeyes had four turnovers on the day and still managed to win somehow. We seem to forget just how awesome having three senior LB’s was. The fact that two of the three became starting players in the pros speaks to how lucky we were to have them. And this game showed it. Michigan was outgained 407-158 in total offense. Michigan only managed 10 first downs for the entire game. Sound familiar?

How did Michigan’s season go? Even though Michigan wasn’t the powerhouse of yore, they were still an ok 7-6 and four of those losses were by four points or fewer. It was another meh season in Brady Hoke’s tenure, of which he was only given one more year afterwards.

Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

Who played well for the Wolverines? Raymon Taylor led the Maize & Blue defense and was a huge part of why Iowa was stuck with only 24 points while having 400+ yards of offense. Taylor had a pick, a fumble recovery, and led the team with 9 tackles. Also on the defensive side of the ball, Frank Clark had 2.5 tackles for loss.

Who played well for the Hawkeyes? The aforementioned LB corps had an excellent game, racking up over 20 tackles, 5 of which were TFL. On offense, Tevaun Smith had 5 receptions for 97 yards and a TD, while Mark Weisman had 92 yards rushing and a TD.

Who is returning that gave the Hawkeyes trouble last time? No one. Which is probably a good thing for the Wolverines and an unfortunate thing for the Hawkeyes.

Highlights:

Bonus Highlights: