Michigan
3-1 , 0-1
Iowa
4-0 , 1-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 20 |
| Michigan | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
No. 17 Iowa Downs No. 18 Michigan on Final Play
9/26/2026 8:02:00 PM | Football
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #17 Iowa 20, #18 Michigan 19
Records: U-M (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten), Iowa (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 111,126
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 3 -- at Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.), 11 a.m. CT (TV: Fox)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan football team fell 20-19 to No. 17 Iowa on the final play of the game on Saturday (Sept. 26) at Michigan Stadium.
The Hawkeyes marched 91 yards on the final drive, scoring from 16 yards out as time expired. The Maize and Blue led for most of the contest, totaling 429 yards of offense to Iowa's 285. Two Michigan red-zone turnovers kept points off the board in a close contest, allowing Iowa to remain within striking distance.
Two Wolverine receivers topped 100 yards in the losing effort, as Andrew Marsh hauled in seven passes for 106 yards and JJ Buchanan recorded five grabs for a career-high 130 yards. It was the first time two Michigan receivers eclipsed the century mark since Dec. 31, 2022, against TCU.
Buchanan continued his hot start to 2026 with his first career multi-touchdown performance, scoring Michigan's two touchdowns of the afternoon.
The Maize and Blue defense held the Hawkeyes to just 77 yards in the first half, helped by two sacks: the second in as many weeks for freshman Tariq Boney, and a split sack by John Henry Daley and Dom Nichols to force a punt. Iowa collected just five first downs in the half, with its only touchdown coming on special teams.
Despite facing the nation's best defense based on yards allowed per game (176.7), the Wolverines were explosive, especially in the first half. Michigan totaled six passing plays of more than 20 yards, four of them before halftime. U-M totaled 232 yards in the first half, largely due to the success of Bryce Underwood.
Underwood registered a career-high 276 passing yards, connecting with Buchanan twice for touchdowns: from 18 yards out to open the scoring in the contest, and from 49 yards to put Michigan on top 19-14 in the fourth.
Trey Butkowski added a 41-yard field goal early in the second quarter to give Michigan a three-point lead that would hold going into halftime. It was the first of two Butkowski field goals, adding his second in the third quarter from 22 yards out.
U-M forced six Hawkeye punts, including on four straight possessions in the first half.
Michigan continues its Big Ten schedule next Saturday (Oct. 3) at Minnesota. The game is scheduled for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on Fox.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
IOW 0, U-M 7
U-M - Buchanan,JJ 18 yd pass from Underwood,Bryce (Butkowski,Trey kick) 9 plays, 89 yards, TOP 03:58
IOW 7, U-M 7
IOW - Jackson,Braeden 99 yd kickoff return (Buhr,Caden kick)
IOW 7, U-M 10
U-M - Butkowski,Trey 41 yd field goal 8 plays, 59 yards, TOP 03:43
IOW 7, U-M 13
U-M - Butkowski,Trey 22 yd field goal 11 plays, 43 yards, TOP 05:44
IOW 14, U-M 13
IOW - Vander Zee,Reece 16 yd pass from Brown,Hank (Buhr,Caden kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:27
IOW 14, U-M 19
U-M - Buchanan,JJ 49 yd pass from Underwood,Bryce () 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:03
IOW 20, U-M 19
IOW - Vander Zee,Reece 16 yd pass from Brown,Hank () 11 plays, 91 yards, TOP 01:46
