Game balls from Michigan football's 27-14 win at Iowa

Michigan football went to Kinnick Stadium and grabbed its first win over the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road since the 2005 season, notching a 27-14 victory. The 2022 Wolverines were tested by one of the toughest environments in the Big Ten and came out victors in most emphatic fashion.

Anthony Broome, Clayton Sayfie and Chris Balas select a player each week for Michigan after the game concludes. Here are the players that get the biggest nod from our staff following a Week 5 victory over the hosting Hawkeyes.

RELATED:
• Postgame reactions to Michigan football’s 27-14 win at Iowa

Anthony Broome: Junior RB Blake Corum

Entering the season, there seemed to be a narrative perpetuated that Michigan did not have a bell-cow running back on the roster in a post-Hassan Haskins era. Over the last two weeks, junior Blake Corum has taken that to heart and helped power the Wolverines to victory. Saturday’s performance saw him rush 29 times for 133 yards and the game-sealing touchdown in the fourth quarter to slam the door on any Iowa momentum. Sophomore Donovan Edwards returned to the lineup and had a touchdown reception in the game, but the heart and soul of the Michigan offense right now is No. 2.

Chris Balas: Senior EDGE Mike Morris

Michigan football’s pass rush has continued to develop and find its way, but it was not until late in the game that it got cooking. Senior Mike Morris paced the team’s 4-sack effort on Saturday with 2 sacks of his own and pressures generated from both the edge and interior of the defensive line. This is a group in desperate need of a leader and he wants that burden. Morris has backed it up with his play on the field so far this season.

Clayton Sayfie: Michigan offensive line

Michigan’s offensive line put together its most complete performance of the season against the toughest defense it has faced to this point. The group allowed 1 sack of sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy on the day, but came out and imposed their will early and helped seal things late to earn a victory. The showing was notable in that all starters were available to play after senior guard Trevor Keegan returned to the lineup. The Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line had its best showing since its Big Ten Championship win over Iowa last season.

Honorable mentions

Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy: Michigan fans might be waiting for the offense to open up under McCarthy, but he was exactly what the Wolverines needed him to be. Outside of a missed deep ball and a fumble that swung momentum for a bit, he was poised and took what the Iowa defense gave him. McCarthy finished the day 18-of-24 for 155 yards and a highlight-reel touchdown pass to Edwards.

Sophomore running back Donovan Edwards: The second-year back returned to the field after a two-week absence and added another element that was needed. Edwards finished the game with 5 rushes for 29 yards and 4 catches for 21 yards and the touchdown from McCarthy.

Graduate wide receiver Ronnie Bell: The veteran wideout was a bit quiet through the air on Saturday with 2 catches for 16 yards, but had a 16-yard rushing touchdown and finished with 2 carries for 26 yards and the score.

Graduate tight end Luke Schoonmaker: Michigan always felt that Schoonmaker and Erick All were 1a and 1b options at tight end. With All injured and out for an undisclosed amount of time, it is Schoonmaker’s show and he continues to prove the staff’s faith in him is justified. He was a tremendous safety valve for McCarthy on Saturday, finishing with 4 catches for 45 yards on 5 targets.

Graduate edge Eyabi Okie: The late-camp transfer continues to bloom and evolve as he gets the defensive playbook down. Saturday’s performance was his best in a Michigan uniform with 3 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and a quarterback hit.

What’s next for Michigan?

Michigan plays another road game next weekend when it travels to Indiana for a Big Ten East showdown with the Hoosiers. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on FOX.