Goodson making impact in air and on ground

Tyler Goodson has been Iowa’s offensive MVP so far, and it really isn’t close.

Goodson saw plenty of action in the first half, and he racked up _ yards on _ carries on the ground, adding _ catches for _ yards through the air.

He has been slightly reminiscent of Akrum Wadley against Iowa State in 2017. In Iowa’s 44-41 overtime victory over the Cyclones, Wadley recorded 118 yards and a score rushing and hauled in four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown in the passing game.

While Goodson’s numbers aren’t quite as impressive, he’s been a focal point who can move the chains for the Hawkeyes.

The freshman caught a 15-yard pass on third-and-6, which shows the coaching staff’s trust in him. Iowa finished the drive with a 22-yard field goal for its first points of the game.

The Hawkeyes recorded 57 yards in the first quarter. Goodson had 33 of them.

If Goodson can stay on the path he’s on, Iowa will have no choice but to continue to look his way.

-Pete Ruden

Turnovers hurt Iowa

Three interceptions and three fumbles highlighted an ugly first half between Iowa and Michigan on Saturday.

The Hawkeyes entered the game with a clean record in their last three games. Their only turnover came in the form of a fumble against Miami (Ohio).

On Iowa’s first offensive play of the game, however, the ball hopped out of Mekhi Sargent’s arms for Michigan to recover at the Iowa 18-yard line.

Iowa’s defense bailed Sargent out and got the stop, holding the Wolverines to a single field goal. But the first quarter wasn’t even far from over.

With a little under seven minutes to go in the quarter, Geno Stone leaped up to steal a Shea Patterson pass for the first interception of the game. Then, two plays later, Nate Stanley threw up a 12-yard pass that was picked off by Wolverine defensive back Josh Metellus at the Michigan 31-yard line.

Iowa’s defense held Michigan to a 3rd-and-out.

The second quarter was relatively clean, but as it came to a close, the turnover bug re-emerged.

Stanley’s second interception of the day — and the year — came at the 4-yard line as Iowa was again in Michigan territory. The Wolverines made their way downfield, but a missed 58-yard field goal got the Hawkeyes out of a deeper hole.

Outside of turnovers, Iowa is showing everything necessary to beat this Michigan team. But it can’t win if it beats itself, as we saw in the first quarter.

-Anna Kayser

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