Michigan Football loses to Iowa on walk-off touchdown with 2 seconds left

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 26: Bryce Underwood #19 of the Michigan Wolverines looks for running room in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The No. 18 Michigan Wolverines suffered their first loss of the season in a heartbreaking 20-19 loss to the No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten opener at Michigan Stadium. Here's the recap, highlights and stats from the loss.

First quarter

Both teams picked up a pair of first downs on their opening drives before the offenses stalled out and were forced to punt. Bryce Underwood appeared to convert a third down, but a holding penalty spoiled the possession.

On the next possession, Michigan marched down the field and into the end zone with a nine-play, 89-yard drive that ended with Underwood finding wide receiver JJ Buchanan for an 18-yard touchdown to go up 7-0 with 1:58 left in the quarter.

Underwood finds Buchanan to put @UMichFootball on the board first

Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/eNHv4DmcmG

- Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 26, 2026

Michigan wide receiver Andrew Marsh recorded two catches for 47 yards to help fuel the scoring drive, highlighted by a toe-tapping reception along the sideline. Buchanan also had a third-down reception just moments before his touchdown.

He's in

Andrew Marsh gets a foot down and moves the @UMichFootball chains!

Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/n2SWWgUDeW

- Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 26, 2026

Unfortunately for the Wolverines, the lead vanished in the blink of an eye. Iowa running back Braeden Jackson returned the ensuing kick off for a 99-yard touchdown to steal momentum and tie it up, 7-7.

End of 1Q: Michigan 7, Iowa 7

IOWA TAKES IT TO THE HOUSE OFF THE KICK OFF @HawkeyeFootball

: CBS pic.twitter.com/aqyrK8i9YI

- FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 26, 2026

Second quarter

Michigan continued to move the ball, as Underwood connected with Buchanan for 22 yards and Marsh for 11 yards. The Wolverines eventually settled for a field goal from kicker Trey Butkowski, who hit a 41-yarder to put Michigan up, 10-7.

Trey Butkowski makes the 41 yard FG to put Michigan up 10-7 #GoBluepic.twitter.com/2kWqRlvU6w

- Michigan Football on UMGoBlue (@UMGoBlog) September 26, 2026

On the other side of the ball, Michigan's defense stepped up in a big way as edge rusher Tariq Boney recorded a sack for a second straight game. Iowa was then forced to punt after defensive back Zeke Berry deflected a pass on third down.

It appeared the Wolverines were going to extend the lead, as Underwood found Buchanan for a 32-yard reception on a flea-flicker. However, the offense later turned it over on downs as Underwood was stuffed on fourth down in the red zone.

FLEA FLICKER! pic.twitter.com/csX0lQ9Zl4

- CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) September 26, 2026

Once again, Michigan's defense was up for the challenge, as Berry came up with a hit-stick tackle, followed by edge rushers Dominic Nichols and John Henry Daley combining for a clutch sack on third down to force the Hawkeyes to punt.

HALTIME: Michigan 10, Iowa 7

Taking a 10-7 lead into the break pic.twitter.com/YycP0KLj1h

- Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 26, 2026

Third quarter

On the first possession of the second half, Michigan put together another quality drive to get into the red zone. Underwood connected with running back Savion Hiter for a 19-yard gain on a screen pass, but then disaster happened. Underwood was intercepted at the two yard line, and the opportunity to extend the lead instantly went out the window. With that said, Iowa's offense was backed up at its own goal line and Michigan was able to quickly force a punt.

PICKED by Deshaun Lee @HawkeyeFootball

Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/8fQ3CnlNu1

- Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 26, 2026

Michigan barely allowed an inch, as defensive tackle Enow Etta stopped Iowa running back Kamari Moulton in his tracks on second down. That was followed by linebacker Nathaniel Staheling getting into the mix with a big tackle on third down.

The Wolverines were on the move, as running back Jordan Marshall ran for consecutive first downs, including a 17-yard sprint. But the offense stalled in the red zone yet again, leading to a 22-yard field goal by Butkowski to take a 13-7 lead.

JORDAN MARSHALL OH MY pic.twitter.com/WaHa0WZ1QV

- (@the_det_times) September 26, 2026

End of 3Q: Michigan 13, Iowa 7

Fourth quarter

Iowa wouldn't go down without a fight though, and the Hawkeyes finally found a rhythm on offense. They put together a seven-play, 75-yard drive that included a 21-yard gain from tight end DJ Vonnahme on a tipped-pass to pick up a first down.

On the very next snap, Iowa quarterback Hank Brown hit wide receiver Reece Vander Zee for a 16-yard touchdown to put the Hawkeyes up 14-13 and quiet the crowd with 14:02 left. It was the first time Iowa's offense scored.

Iowa jumps in front!
Hank Brown finds Reece Vander Zee for the @HawkeyeFootball touchdown. pic.twitter.com/iDn1VkaVcN

- CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 26, 2026

Michigan didn't take very long to answer on the other end. A little more than two minutes later, Underwood scrambled away from the defense and perfectly placed a pass to Buchanan for a 49-yard go-ahead touchdown to take a 19-14 lead.

Underwood finds Buchanan for the 49-YD TD @UMichFootball on top

Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/VYoEJycqMP

- Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 26, 2026

The Wolverines continued to seize control on the defensive side, and safety Chris Bracy had his fingerprints all over Iowa's ensuing drive. Bracy had a quarterback pressure on second down and a pass deflection on third to force a punt.

Iowa got the ball back with a chance to put together a go-ahead drive, but Michigan edge rusher Nate Marshall came up with a critical tackle to force a fourth down. Instead of going for it, Iowa opted to kick a 51-yard field goal that missed.

Michigan was hoping to run out the rest of the clock, but it wasn't able to pick up a first down. Iowa got another opportunity with two minutes left, and the Hawkeyes didn't waste their last gasp. With just two seconds remaining, Iowa needed to score a touchdown and the Hawkeyes turned to Vander Zee again. Brown threw a back shoulder pass to Vander Zee, who came down with the score with no time on the clock.

IOWA WINS IT IN THE FINAL 2 SECONDS OF THE GAME AGAINST MICHIGAN

A WALK-OFF TD FOR @HawkeyeFootball!

: CBS pic.twitter.com/H59uyZUHcI

- FOX Sports (@FOXSports) September 26, 2026

FINAL SCORE: Iowa 20, Michigan 19

Michigan stat leaders

• QB Bryce Underwood: 17-for-28, 276 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
• WR JJ Buchanan: 130 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 receptions
• WR Andrew Marsh: 106 receiving yards, 7 receptions
• RB Jordan Marshall: 59 rushing yards, 11 carries
• DB Jyaire Hill: 7 total tackles
• DE Dominic Nichols: 4 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 0.5 sacks
• DB Chris Bracy: 2 total tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 quarterback hurry

Iowa stat leaders

• QB Hank Brown: 21-for-35, 227 passing yards, 2 touchdowns
• WR Reece Vander Zee: 66 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 receptions
• RB Kamari Moulton: 44 rushing yards, 13 carries
• DB Zach Lutmer: 12 total tackles
• LB Cam Buffington: 11 total tackles

Up next

Michigan will lick its wounds and try to get back in the win column on the first road trip of the season, taking on Minnesota on Saturday (noon on FOX).