By Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis
Sometimes you win with offensive fireworks. Sometimes you win with a last second field goal. And sometimes you win by not letting the other team score a touchdown. Just remember, a win, is a win, is a win. Take the W and move on. Speaking of, onward to your Iowa champions:
DEFENSIVE CHAMPION – I’m just going to come right out and say it, the ENTIRE DEFENSE played lights-out for Michigan. I mean, this was a total TEAM EFFORT. From Don Brown mixing up his schemes and his calls, to the d-line sacking the Iowa QB eight times, to the defensive secondary getting 3 interceptions, to the linebackers limiting the Hawkeyes to just one yard rushing. It wasn’t perfect, but in a one-possession game where the offense was having problems getting into the end zone, you just knew the defense was going to have to make the last stop – and they did.
Much like in the 1985 U-M-MSU game when the defense was awarded the Chevrolet Players of the Game, I’m doing the same here – even though I chewed off all my fingernails. Hats off to you fellas!
SPECIAL TEAMS CHAMPION – Will Hart continues to be a rock when it comes to punting the ball. Field position becomes so critical in a close game like this and Hart’s punts gave Iowa long fields on several occasions and that was huge. To average over 45 yards per punt on eight kicks is big time. You cannot over state his value to the team and in this game. Flipping the field bails out the offense and helps the defense by playing on the opponents’ side of the field – big difference!
OFFENSIVE CHAMPION – Freshman running back Zach Charbonnet continues to find the end zone as he scored the game’s only touchdown with a two-yard run. He only had 13 carries for 42 yards, but that one TD was big – just ask Iowa.
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