Final: Iowa 24, Michigan 21

IOWA CITY -- Anthony Hitchens made perhaps the biggest play of his career on his last play in Kinnick Stadium. The senior linebacker punched the ball loose from Devin Gardner and recovered the fumble, allowing Iowa to run out the clock on a 24-21 victory after it trailed 21-7 at halftime.

It was a frustrating first half for Iowa, which trailed 21-7 after two interceptions and two botched field goal attempts. Jake Rudock was hit as he threw on the Hawkeyes' first play of the game, and his pass was intercepted on the 7-yard line and taken in for a touchdown.

On the next drive, Mike Meyer missed a 39-yard field goal. Iowa tied the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter on a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz. But the second quarter was all Michigan, as Iowa turned the ball over twice and punted twice while Wolverine quarterback Devin Gardner tossed a pair of touchdowns.

But in a change from the usual script this season, the Hawkeyes improved dramatically in the second half. Rudock hit Tevaun Smith for a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown just 1:25 into the third quarter. The Hawkeye defense forced five consecutive Michigan punts, four of them after just three plays, keeping Iowa in the game.

Late in the third quarter, the Hawkeyes finally found a rhythm, embarking on a 9-play, 60-yard drive. They tied the game when running back Mark Weisman barrelled into the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown, carrying a Wolverine defender with him. Iowa followed that up with another long drive, this time moving the ball 50 yards before kicking a field goal to take the lead.

Michigan finally put together a drive looking to answer the 17-0 Hawkeye run. But it ended on Hitchens' forced fumble and recovery, giving Iowa the ball back with less than three minutes remaining in the game.