Michigan coach admits 'feel like we're 0-4' after Iowa's last-second stunner
Iowa's signature brand of late-game magic struck again Saturday, and Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham is still feeling the sting days later.
The Wolverines fell 20-19 to Iowa on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Hank Brown to Reece Vander Zee with no time remaining, capping an 11-play, 91-yard drive in the final 1:48. The loss dropped Michigan to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in Big Ten play, and it came just two weeks after the Wolverines escaped with a Hail Mary win of their own.
Speaking Monday at his weekly press conference, Whittingham didn't sugarcoat the emotional toll.
We're 3-1, I feel like we're 0-4, I can tell you that's how I feel, Whittingham said. But we're 3-1, one play away from 4-0, one play away from 2-2. So, it's been about three of the four games very close, you know, closely contested games. It's been an emotional roller coaster in a way.
How Iowa's comeback unfolded
Michigan had multiple chances to seal the win. The Wolverines' four-minute offense went three-and-out twice, and offensive coordinator Jason Beck called three straight runs instead of letting quarterback Bryce Underwood attempt a pass. The conservative approach gave Iowa the ball back with time to work.
On defense, Michigan dropped multiple potential interceptions. Then defensive back Zeke Berry committed a personal foul on a fourth-and-12 play, a penalty Whittingham called unnecessary. That set up a tipped 29-yard pass that put Iowa in position for the final heave.
Whittingham acknowledged Iowa's formula worked exactly as designed.
It was such a deflating loss because we had it, he said. We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory type, you know the old saying, but again, credit Iowa. I mean, that's nothing new to them. That is their game to a T. Hang around, hang around, hang around. Win at the end. That's who they've been for years, and so unfortunately for us it played out pretty much how they script it.
What's next for Michigan
No. 24 Michigan (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) now hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Minneapolis to face Minnesota (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten). The Golden Gophers are coming off a 27-24 road win over Washington and enter with confidence.
Whittingham noted he's never opened a season with four straight home games in more than two decades as a head coach. The Wolverines were one play from leaving that stretch with perfect momentum.
There were bright spots. Underwood threw for a career-high 276 yards and two touchdowns, and two Michigan receivers topped 100 yards in the same game for the first time in four years. Whittingham said a lot is trending in the right direction.
As for the College Football Playoff picture, the first-year head coach isn't panicking.
By no means, I can't imagine that one loss is going to do that, Whittingham said. There's still a ton of football to be played. We've got eight more conference games. So in our opinion, I guess there's a scenario or two where it's not in our control, but we feel like everything's going to be within our control still going forward.
Iowa's win was the latest chapter in a program known for finding ways to win close games under Kirk Ferentz, and it gave Hawkeye fans another memorable finish to celebrate.
This article is adapted from reporting by Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press.