Big Ten Chiller: Hawks, Michigan take it to the wire in 30-28 Iowa win

You'll have to excuse Ricky Stanzi for the occasional sway and stumble. That happens when you have the weight of an entire team on your back.

Stanzi is pretty much Iowa's offense. He'll "aw shucks" it and, certainly at times, you might not want to admit it, but it was never more true than in last night's 30-28 victory over Michigan.

The junior completed 20 of 38 for 284 yards, an interception returned for a TD and two TD passes, and led an Iowa offense that didn't finish enough, but still wound up taking a sweet knee after free safety Brett Greenwood picked off UM's Denard Robinson with 46 seconds left.

The No. 12 Hawkeyes (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) moved to 6-0 for the first time since 1985. The Wolverines fell to 4-2, 1-2.

After missing three games with an ankle injury, tight end Tony Moeaki caught six passes for 105 yards and two TDs, including a 42-yarder with 12:56 left in the fourth quarter that ended up being the winning points.

Iowa's defense was bloodied, but still forced five turnovers out of the Wolverines, including Greenwood's game-sealer, game-winner and game-finisher.

The Hawkeyes travel to Wisconsin (5-1, 2-1) next week. The Badgers fell 31-13 at Ohio State.

Say what you want about Stanzi. He made mistakes, but he carried an offense that never really found its footing last night before 70,585 at Kinnick Stadium.

On their first possession of the second half, the Hawkeyes drove for a 40-yard Daniel Murray field goal, giving the Hawkeyes 23-14 lead 10:45 left in the third quarter. It was his third field goal of the game (28, 41 and 40), a career-high for Murray. He also missed a 53-yarder just before halftime.

After trading possessions, Michigan put together its most impressive drive of the night.

The Wolverines went away from spread option trickery and delivered a punch in the mouth to Iowa's defense, driving 57 yards on 10 plays with running back Brandon Minor breaking in from the 1 to pull UM within 23-21 with 4:23 left in the third quarter.

The Wolverines rushed nine of the 10 plays for 53 yards. Minor was the workhorse, going seven carries for 44 yards and the TD.

Just when it looked as though the Hawkeyes would take command, Stanzi missed.

Michigan's Greg Matthews fumbled a punt and Iowa's Willie Lowe recovered at UM's 16. Iowa couldn't take advantage.

With first down at Michigan's 6, Iowa went pass incomplete, 3-yard pass to running back Brandon Wegher and 2-yard Wegher run. This set up fourth-and-1 1/2.

After a timeout, Stanzi rolled right to buy some time and then totally missed Moeaki, who was just breaking open. Michigan linebacker Stevie Brown nearly picked it off.

The best thing Michigan did with the ball from its 1 1/2 was punt it. Zoltan Mesko, first-team all-Big Ten last season, unleashed a 61-yarder that Colin Sandeman picked off the turf and returned 20 yards to UM's 42.

What took so much effort last time looked so easy this time.

On first down, Stanzi ran a naked bootleg. His first option along the sideline was covered. He second option, short in the flat, was covered by a linebacker. His third option was gold.

Running a drag route across the middle, tight end Tony Moeaki broke open late. Stanzi's wait paid off. Moeaki caught a perfect pass and split the entire Michigan defense for a 42-yard score and a 30-21 lead with 12:56 left in the game.

What was so close and yet so far away last time took just one play and 10 seconds this time.

Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier took a hit from Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn and left the game with about 12 minutes left.

The Wolverines brought in Denard Robinson, another true freshman quarterback. He ran the "wildcat" down the Hawkeyes' throat and into the end zone. The 6-foot, 185-pounder took shotgun snap after shotgun snap and simply ran the ball. When the smoke cleared, he rushed eight times for 47 yards, including a 3-yard TD that pulled Michigan within 30-28 with 3:16 left.

Robinson accounted for every one of the 59 yard-drive.

This set up the third onside kick the Hawkeyes have seen this season. This one was no problem. Kicker Bryan Wright dribbled it out of bounds, giving Iowa a first down at Michigan's 45.

On his first pass, Stanzi stumbled.

Stanzi stood in the pocket, looked right and threw it right into the arms of Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren, who returned it untouched 40 yards for a 7-0 Michigan lead with 14:14 left in the first quarter.

But Stanzi, facing down the pressure of having absolutely no running game and some pretty shaky pass blocking, made enough plays to lift Iowa to a 20-14 halftime lead.

One pass, six points the other way.

It was Stanzi's third pick six of the season. The next drive started with a timeout. Iowa couldn't get the play in on time. As far as starts go, Iowa looked like the road team, a nervous, nervous road team.

Stanzi taketh away and then he gaveth.