IOWA CITY, Iowa — Blake Corum rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown, J.J. McCarthy threw for 155 yards and a touchdown and No. 4 Michigan defeated Iowa 27-14 on Saturday.
The Wolverines (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten Conference) were able to consistently move the ball against the Hawkeyes (3-2, 1-1), who came into the game leading the nation in scoring defense and ranked sixth in total defense and rushing defense. Michigan had 327 yards, including 172 rushing yards.
Four of Michigan’s first five drives ended in points. Ronnie Bell had a 16-yard touchdown run on the opening possession. Jake Moody’s two second-quarter field goals gave the Wolverines a 13-0 halftime lead, then McCarthy threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Edwards on Michigan’s opening possession of the third quarter.
Corum’s 20-yard touchdown run with 1:19 left in the game closed the scoring for the Wolverines.
It was the sixth 100-yard rushing game of Corum’s career. Corum, who had 29 carries, was coming off a career-high 243 yards in last weekend's 34-27 victory over Maryland.
Michigan continued its defensive mastery of the Hawkeyes, who have scored just 20 points combined in the last three games against the Wolverines.
Iowa didn't score until Kaleb Johnson’s 2-yard touchdown run to start the fourth quarter, cutting the Michigan lead to 20-7. The Hawkeyes got to the Michigan 6 on their next possession, but Spencer Petras’ pass to Sam LaPorta went for only 1 yard on fourth-and-2.
Petras, who finished with 246 passing yards, threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Luke Lachey with eight seconds left in the game for Iowa's final points.
SNAPPING THE STREAK
Michigan had lost its last four games at Iowa. The last time the Wolverines won in Iowa City was in 2005, when they won 23-20 in overtime.
“We keep track of these things,” Harbaugh said.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Wolverines should maintain their spot in the rankings after an impressive road win against one of the nation’s best defenses. Iowa had won five of its last six home games against top-five teams, but Michigan had no problem with the Hawkeyes, who didn’t provide a challenge until the fourth quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Michigan: McCarthy, who completed 18 of 24 passes, was steady in his first road start, rarely challenged by an Iowa defense that had been opportunistic with turnovers the last two weeks. “When it's all said and done, it's just, 'Do you, J.J.," Harbaugh said. "
Iowa: The Hawkeyes' offense, which showed some life in wins over Nevada and Rutgers in the last two weeks, made too many mistakes. One first-half possession into Michigan territory ended with three consecutive overthrows by Petras, and another drive was stalled by a holding penalty that negated a 17-yard run by Johnson. “As crazy as it sounds, from where I stood, I thought our guys played hard and I saw some growth,” Ferentz said.
UP NEXT
Michigan: At Indiana next Saturday.
Iowa: At Illinois next Saturday.