Big Ten recognizes clutch performance from the Hawkeyes

IOWA CITY — It's filed under one of the "most Hawkeye" things. The fact that Jaleel Johnson's safety in the second quarter against Michigan kept Iowa in the game is so very, very 2016 Iowa.

The Hawkeyes trailed No. 3 Michigan 10-0 with about seven minutes remaining in the second quarter. In their first three drives, the Wolverines punted and then got a field goal and drove 72 yards for running back Ty Isaac's 7-yard TD run.

This game was teetering on getting away from Iowa when punter Ron Coluzzi downed a punt at Michigan's 2. On second down, Johnson lined up in a 3 technique, over right guard Kyle Kalis' outside shoulder. Johnson brushed by Kalis, whose path went to a linebacker. Right tackle Erik Magnuson blocked defensive end Matt Nelson.

Basically, on a second-and-10 from UM's 2, Iowa's best defensive lineman was left as a free runner. Johnson twisted running back De'Veon Smith so he couldn't extend the ball over the goal line. Linebacker Josey Jewell cleaned up and Iowa was on the board.

'That gave our offense momentum, that gave our defense momentum,' Johnson said. 'When moments like that happen, you can't just, 'All right, we got points on the board.' You have to go out and keep competing. You keep competing and moments like this will happen.'

Lots of moments happened in the Hawkeyes' 14-13 upset. Monday, Big Ten player of the week moments happened for Johnson, kicker Keith Duncan and freshman cornerback Manny Rugamba.

Johnson, whose 6.5 sacks puts him fourth in the B1G, earned the honor for his play on defense. Duncan was named special teams player of the week after the true freshman's 33-yard field goal as time expired won it for the Hawkeyes. Rugamba shared the freshman of the week honor.

Johnson had a career-high nine tackles, with six solo stops, two tackles for loss and a sack late in the second quarter. He also had four QB hurries. Pro Football Focus gave Johnson the highest grade among Hawkeyes defenders this week (plus-3.3).

This was Iowa's first defensive player of the week honor in 2016. Cornerback Desmond King was Iowa's last defensive POW on Oct. 5, 2015.

It was well earned. The Hawkeyes held the Wolverines to 13 points and 201 yards total offense. Michigan entered the game averaging 48 points and 497.4 yards total offense while winning its first nine games of the season. The 201 yards of offense was a low for Jim Harbaugh's two seasons as Michigan's head coach.

Duncan's 33-yarder was the first game-winning kick of his career and set off pandemonium that Kinnick Stadium hadn't seen since 2008, when the Hawkeyes knocked off No. 3 Penn State on Daniel Murray's last-second 31-yard field goal.

Duncan also added a 25-yard field goal. This season, he's hit 8 of 9 field goals and all 30 of his PATs. Duncan joins Coluzzi on the list of Iowa specialists who've earned Big Ten POW honors this season.

Rugamba replaced senior cornerback Greg Mabin and made his first career start. He finished with a fourth-quarter interception, career-high four tackles and three pass breakups, including one on a third-and-8 that forced Michigan to punt and led to Duncan's game-winner.

Rugamba, who was targeted 10 times and only allowed three receptions, is the second Iowa freshman to win this honor this season. After Miami (Ohio), defensive end Anthony Nelson was named Big Ten freshman of the week. Rugamba shared this week's honor with Northwestern running back John Moten IV.

Rugamba also was named the Big Ten defensive player of the week by College Sports Madness.

The Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) travel to Illinois on Saturday (11 a.m., BTN).

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