Michigan Defense Shows Grit But Late Mistakes Hand Iowa The Win

Iowa fans can breathe a sigh of relief after the Hawkeyes escaped with a win against Michigan on Saturday, but the victory was far from comfortable. Michigan's defense played a strong game for most of the afternoon, putting the Wolverines in position to win before untimely errors in the final minutes sealed their fate. For Iowa, the win is what matters, but the performance raises questions about how much the Hawkeyes truly controlled the game.

The stat sheet tells a different story than the final score, and a closer look at the defensive performance reveals just how close this game really was. Using player grades from Pro Football Focus, we can break down what happened on a player-by-player basis and see where Michigan succeeded and where it faltered.

Michigan's Defense Held Strong For Most Of The Game

Michigan's defense kept the Wolverines in the game, holding the lead for much of the contest and limiting Iowa's offensive production. The Hawkeyes struggled to move the ball consistently, and Michigan's defensive unit looked sharp through three quarters. However, the final drive of the game proved to be the difference-maker, as a costly penalty and a dropped interception allowed Iowa to march down the field and secure the win.

Zeke Berry's Late Penalty Proves Costly

Cornerback Zeke Berry returned to the lineup after missing Week 3 and logged 32 snaps, 25 of which came in coverage. He was targeted seven times and allowed just three receptions for 15 yards, a solid performance by any measure. But Berry will be remembered for a late hit penalty on Iowa's final drive that gave the Hawkeyes 15 yards and a first down when they should have faced a 4th and 12 situation. That penalty was a turning point in the game and ultimately helped Iowa seal the victory.

Dom Nichols Battles Through Injury

Edge rusher Dom Nichols played 47 snaps despite clearly not being at 100 percent. He came out of the game a couple of times due to a nagging injury but still finished with the second-highest grade on the defense per PFF. Nichols posted a team-best 81.8 pass-rush grade, though he did miss a tackle on the day. His performance continues to show that he is one of Michigan's most reliable defenders, and his grades back that up.

Chris Bracy's Near-Interception Could Have Changed The Game

Safety Chris Bracy, a transfer from Memphis, logged 54 total snaps against Iowa, including two designed blitzes. On those blitzes, he finished with a 91.6 pass-rush grade, and both plays were considered hurries. Bracy also had a chance to be the hero late in the fourth quarter, but he dropped what would have been a game-sealing interception. That missed opportunity, combined with his one missed tackle, left Michigan fans wondering what could have been.

Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng Shows Promise In Limited Action

Linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng actually earned the highest grade of any Michigan defender at 79.9, but he played just 10 snaps, making him ineligible for the top-performer list. Still, his performance is a promising sign for a Wolverines defense that has relied on unproven players at the linebacker position. Known as