Jim Harbaugh calls Michigan's defensive effort a "masterpiece" in win over Iowa

Holding off the No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes, 10-3, Jim Harbaugh and the No. 19 Michigan Wolverines picked up a big win at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.

Allowing just a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter, Michigan held Iowa to 261 total yards. Not able to get anything established on the ground, the Hawkeyes’ leading rusher, redshirt junior Toren Young, had just 40 rushing yards.

Speaking to the media postgame, Michigan’s fifth-year head coach was very complimentary of his defense’s effort:

Harbaugh calls today’s performance a “defensive masterpiece.” Credits Don Brown and the players’ effort. @WolverineLounge

— Daniel Dash (@DanielDash_) October 5, 2019

Harbaugh also commented on the play of his senior quarterback, Shea Patterson:

Harbaugh: “(The offense) took what was there. It’s like about every Iowa-Michigan game I’ve ever been associated with.” Says he thought Shea managed the game “extremely well.” @WolverineLounge

— Daniel Dash (@DanielDash_) October 5, 2019

Scoring all 10 of their points in the first seven minutes, the Michigan offense did just enough to produce a victory. Patterson finished 14-26 for 147 yards and an interception. Carrying the football 13 times, freshman Zach Charbonnet was the team’s leading rusher with 42 yards and the only touchdown of the game.

Improving to 4-1 on the season, the Wolverines will travel to Champaign to face Illinois (2-2) on October 12 (12:00PM ET, ABC).

Their first loss of the year, Iowa also stands at 4-1. While the Hawkeyes do return home, the challenge does not get any easier as they host No. 12 Penn State (5-0) on Saturday at 7:30PM ET.