The Wolverine Now

Scouting Iowa's Special Teams Special Teams Overview — In a league full of great placekickers, senior Mike Meyer has consistently provided the Hawkeyes with one of the best, connecting on 59 of 76 career field goal attempts (77.6 percent), including 14 of 18 this fall. Sophomore punter Connor Kornbrath has averaged only 40.1 yards per punt this season, but he has dropped 21 of 47 attempts inside the 20-yard line, and opponents have picked up only 5.1 yards per return thanks to Kornbrath's consistent hang time. 2013 iowa Schedule Player To Watch — Senior kick Key Matchup: Teams have done evreturner Jordan Cotton: The 6-1, erything in their power to kick away 192-pounder has not produced from punt returner Kevonte Martinthe explosive big plays that made Manley after the junior unleashed a game for the ages against Western him one of the nation's most Michigan, returning punts for 63- and feared returnmen last season — he had a 92-yard kickoff return 83-yard touchdowns and another one and an 82-yarder (the latter refor 44 yards. Michigan has not allowed COTTON a punt return longer than 18 yards this duced to 45 yards due to penalty) season and will have to be solid on cover— but he remains a threat. A part-time age again Saturday. wide receiver, Cotton has two returns of 30 yards or more this season (35, 31). — Michael Spath Inside The Numbers (2013 Statistics) Offense Points Per Game First Downs Rushing Yards Rushing Yards/Game Rushing Attempts Average Yards Per Rush Passing Yards Passing Yards/Game Passing Attempts Average Yards/Catch Total Yards Average Yards Per Game Average Kickoff Return Average Punt Return Third-Down Conversions Third-Down Conv. Percent Fourth-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conv. Percent U-MIowa 34.3 26.6 209 210 1357 1939 135.7 193.9 419 431 3.2 4.5 2476 2040 247.6 204.0 282 298 14.7 11.9 3833 3979 383.3 397.9 22.9 18.6 6.6 16.9 54-142 72-152 38% 47% 6-11 4-11 55% 36% DateOpponent Aug. 31 Northern Illinois Sept. 7 Missouri State Sept. 14 at Iowa State Sept. 21 Western Michigan Sept. 28 at Minnesota Oct. 5 Michigan State Oct. 19 at Ohio State Oct. 26 Northwestern Nov. 2 Wisconsin Nov. 9 at Purdue Nov. 23 Michigan Nov. 29 at Nebraska Time/Result L, 30-27 W, 28-14 W, 27-21 W, 59-3 W, 23-7 L, 26-14 L, 34-24 W, 17-10 (OT) L, 28-9 W, 38-14 Noon Noon Keys for michigan Defense U-MIowa Points Allowed Per Game 25.2 18.7 First Downs Allowed 190 162 Rushing Yards Allowed 1112 1300 Rushing Yards Allowed/Game 111.2 130.0 Opponent Rushing Attempts 352 349 Average Yards/Rushing Attempt 3.2 3.7 Passing Yards Allowed 2364 1892 Passing Yards Allowed/Game 236.4 189.2 Opponent Passing Attempts 361 310 Average Yards/Catch Allowed 12.0 10.6 Total Yards Allowed 3476 3192 Average Yards/Game Allowed 347.6 319.2 Average Kickoff Return Allowed 21.9 24.3 Average Punt Return Allowed 7.4 5.1 Third-Down Conversions 62-157 54-150 Third-Down Conv. Percent 39% 36% Fourth-Down Conversions 5-12 11-18 Fourth-Down Conv. Percent 42% 61% Score By Quarters 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Total Avg. U-M 75 651017824 343 34.3 Iowa 4711355 44 7 266 26.6 Class Breakdowns (2013 Two-Deep)... Sr. Jr.So.Fr. U-M Offense........................................................827 11 U-M Defense........................................................6879 U-M Specialists...................................................3112 U-M Totals.............................................. 17111522 Iowa. Offense......................................................5 7102 Iowa Defense......................................................5665 Iowa Specialists..................................................1130 Iowa Totals............................................ 111419 7 Turnover Margin Gained Lost +/U-M 19 18+1 Iowa 16 15+1 Want More Michigan Stats And News? Visit Us Online On The Rivals.com Network at TheWolverine.com THE WOLVERINE • Page 3 Don't waste your chances: A week ago, Michigan breached the red zone on just three of 11 regulation drives, and netted only six points. In overtime, the Wolverines scored a pair of touchdowns and a field goal in crossing the 20-yard line each possession. The Hawkeyes barely allow scoring chances, yielding just 20 total visits all season to the red zone — a number that ranks second nationally. When U-M reaches the red zone, it has to come away with points because the opportunities will be few. Start strong: U-M is 5-0 in games that it has led at halftime and 2-3 in games in which the Wolverines trailed after 30 minutes of play. Iowa is 6-3 when it leads at the half, and the Hawkeyes are reliant on their early success, scoring just 40 second-half points in six Big Ten contests — and only 16 in the first five games before a 24-point explosion against Purdue two weeks ago. The Black and Gold have been stingy in the first quarter, holding 8 of 10 opponents without a score, while they have not allowed a first-quarter TD since week one. U-M hasn't scored a first-quarter touchdown since beating Indiana Oct. 19, netting only two field goals in its past three contests. Road-woes no more: Michigan improved to 6-7 in true road games under Brady Hoke with its win at Northwestern. However, the Maize and Blue continued to struggle offensively, producing only nine points and 302 yards in regulation against the Wildcats. Overall this fall, U-M has averaged 278.3 yards (in regulation) and 18.3 points in its four road contests compared to 437.0 yards and 41.0 points in six games at The Big House. The Wolverines can't expect to experience incredible success against a good defense, but need to find a happy medium between their road and home performances. Prediction: Michigan's win in Evanston may have created some positive momentum the Maize and Blue can parlay into a strong four-quarter effort against Iowa. If they can, then the Wolverines will put up more points than UI's offense can match. However, U-M largely struggled a week ago, and the victory only temporarily masked its issues. Expect them to resurface. Score: Iowa 20, Michigan 17. — Michael Spath

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