2021 Big Ten Football Championship Game
Conference Championship
Michigan Wolverines Iowa Hawkeyes
(11–1) (10–2)
42 3
Head coach: 
Jim Harbaugh		 Head coach: 
Kirk Ferentz
APCoachesCFP
232
APCoachesCFP
151213
1234 Total
Michigan 140721 42
Iowa 3000 3
DateDecember 4, 2021
Season2021
StadiumLucas Oil Stadium
LocationIndianapolis, Indiana
MVPAidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
FavoriteMichigan by 11
RefereeMike Cannon[1]
Attendance67,183
United States TV coverage
NetworkFox
AnnouncersGus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst) and Jenny Taft (sideline)
2021 Big Ten Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 3 Michigan xy$^  8 –1   12 –2  
No. 6 Ohio State x  8 –1   11 –2  
No. 9 Michigan State  7 –2   11 –2  
Penn State  4 –5   7 –6  
Maryland  3 –6   7 –6  
Rutgers  2 –7   5 –8  
Indiana  0 –9   2 –10  
West Division
No. 23 Iowa xy  7 –2   10 –4  
Minnesota  6 –3   9 –4  
Wisconsin  6 –3   9 –4  
Purdue  6 –3   9 –4  
Illinois  4 –5   5 –7  
Nebraska  1 –8   3 –9  
Northwestern  1 –8   3 –9  
Championship: Michigan 42, Iowa 3
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2021 Big Ten Football Championship Game was a college football game played on December 4, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was the 11th edition of the Big Ten Football Championship Game and determined the champion of the Big Ten Conference for the 2021 season. The game began at 8:19 p.m. EST and aired on Fox. The game featured the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines, the East Division champions, and the No. 13 Iowa Hawkeyes, the West Division champions. The game was officially known as the Big Ten Championship Game presented by Discover, owing to its sponsorship by the credit card company.

Teams

The 2021 Big Ten Championship Game featured the Michigan Wolverines, champions of the East Division, and the Iowa Hawkeyes, champions of the West Division. This was the teams' 62nd all-time meeting, with Michigan entering the game leading the series 42–15–4.[2] The teams first met in 1900 and have met frequently since the early 1950s as Big Ten Conference opponents.[3] They last met in 2019, a game which resulted in a 10–3 Michigan win.[4] Further, this was the first time that Michigan and Iowa met in the postseason.[3]

In its eleventh year of existence, this year marked Michigan's first-ever appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game.[5] Iowa made its second appearance after debuting in 2015 in a loss to the Michigan State Spartans.[6] Michigan entered the game seeking its 43rd all-time conference championship,[2] while Iowa entered seeking its 12th;[7] each team's last title came in 2004, when the Wolverines and Hawkeyes shared the conference crown.[8] This game also marked the first time since 2016 that the East Division was not represented by Ohio State.[9]

Michigan Wolverines

Seventh-year head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines began their 2021 season with a series of four straight home games at Michigan Stadium.[10] The first, against Western Michigan, saw the Wolverines dominate the Broncos by five touchdowns,[11] before defeating Washington in a game that drew considerably less hype after the Huskies' upset loss to Montana the week prior.[12][13] The Wolverines earned a spot at No. 25 in the AP Poll entering their third game,[14] a matchup with Northern Illinois, which they won handily.[15] Michigan then claimed a close decision against Rutgers on homecoming,[16] improving the Wolverines to 4–0 and placing them into the top 15.[17] Entering October, the Wolverines faced their first road conference games; they first faced Wisconsin, whom they defeated by three touchdowns,[18] and then took down Nebraska, though only by three points, thanks to a Jake Moody field goal with under two minutes remaining.[19] This set up the Wolverines for one of the most anticipated matchups of the season so far, a rivalry faceoff between No. 6 Michigan and No. 8 Michigan State, marking the first time since 1964 that the teams had met while each in the top ten.[20] After a back-and-forth game, the Spartans prevailed with a four-point win, handing Michigan its first loss of the season.[21] The Wolverines were able to bounce back, as they began November with a win over Indiana,[22] and followed it up with a road win in State College against the Penn State Nittany Lions.[23] In its final road game, Michigan routed Maryland, winning by 41 points.[24] After this win the Wolverines were ranked fifth in the College Football Playoff poll entering their home finale against archrivals No. 2 Ohio State.[25] For the first time ever under Harbaugh, and the first time since 2011, the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes and, with the victory, clinched its spot in the championship game with a 8–1 conference record and a head-to-head tiebreaker against Ohio State.[26] As a result of the win, Michigan rose to No. 2 in the College Football Playoff poll entering the Big Ten Championship, behind only No. 1 Georgia.[27]

On December 2, Michigan announced that it would wear a special jersey patch to honor the victims of the 2021 Oxford High School shooting that had taken place in Oxford Township, Michigan on November 30, 2021.[28]

Iowa Hawkeyes

With 23rd-year head coach Kirk Ferentz at the helm, the Iowa Hawkeyes got their season off to a quick start with wins over two ranked opponents in their first two games.[29] Their season opener saw No. 18 Iowa defeat No. 17 Indiana by four touchdowns,[30] which put them into the top ten in time for their second game, at No. 9 Iowa State. After capturing the lead in the second quarter, Iowa did not relinquish it, and upset the Cyclones by ten points.[31] This win vaulted Iowa to No. 5 in the AP Poll,[32] where they remained through their next two home non-conference victories against Kent State and Colorado State.[33][34] The Hawkeyes returned to conference play with a road tilt against Maryland, whom they defeated handily.[35] Now 5–0 and ranked No. 3,[36] Iowa returned home to play host to No. 4 Penn State; the Hawkeyes trailed by double-digits in the first quarter but recovered to win the game 23–20,[37] which put them at No. 2 in the polls.[38] Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, their bid for an undefeated season would come to an end the following week, as they were upset by Purdue at home.[39] Iowa would go on to drop their next game as well, a road matchup with Wisconsin, having been outscored 14–51 in their back-to-back losses.[40] These setbacks dropped Iowa to No. 22 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings,[41] but the Hawkeyes bounced back effectively with a road win at Northwestern[42] and home wins against Minnesota and Illinois.[43][44] Going into the final weekend of the regular season, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin remained in contention for a spot in the championship game.[45] The Hawkeyes defeated Nebraska on November 26,[46] thereby eliminating Minnesota from contention for the championship game.[47] On November 27, Minnesota defeated Wisconsin, giving Iowa the outright division championship and a place in the title game.[48]

Game summary

2021 Big Ten Championship Game presented by Discover
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 2 Michigan 14 0 72142
No. 13 Iowa 3 0 003

at Lucas Oil Stadium • Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information
First quarter
  • 6:38 Michigan – Blake Corum 67 yd rush (Jake Moody kick) – 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:57 (Michigan 7–0)
  • 5:27 Michigan – Roman Wilson 75 yd pass from Donovan Edwards (Jake Moody kick) – 1 play, 75 yards, 0:10 (Michigan 14–0)
  • 1:26 Iowa – Caleb Shudak 22 yd FG – 10 plays, 71 yards, 4:01 (Michigan 14–3)
Second quarter
  • no scoring plays
Third quarter
  • 8:23 Michigan – Hassan Haskins 4 yd rush (Jake Moody kick) – 10 plays, 82 yards, 5:04 (Michigan 21–3)
Fourth quarter
  • 11:16 Michigan – Hassan Haskins 1 yd rush (Jake Moody kick) – 4 plays, 36 yards, 1:33 (Michigan 28–3)
  • 5:24 Michigan – Erick All 5 yd pass from Cade McNamara (Jake Moody kick) – 8 plays, 81 yards, 3:55 (Michigan 35–3)
  • 1:25 Michigan – Donovan Edwards 1 yard run (Jake Moody kick) – 6 plays, 36 yards, 2:56 (Michigan 42–3)

Statistics

Team statistics

Team statistical comparison[50][51]
Statistic Michigan Iowa
First downs2115
Third down efficiency4–105–19
Fourth down efficiency0–10–1
Total plays–net yards62–46171–279
Rushing attempts–net yards34–21133–104
Yards per rush6.23.2
Yards passing250175
Pass completions–attempts18–2819–38
Interceptions thrown21
Punt returns–total yards2–172–-6
Kickoff returns–total yards0–00–0
Punts–total yardage5–2558–331
Fumbles–lost0–01–0
Penalties–yards4–505–55
Time of possession28:2131:39

Individual statistics

Michigan statistics[51]
Wolverines passing
C–A Yds TD INT
Cade McNamara16–2416911
Donovan Edwards1–17510
J. J. McCarthy1–3601
Wolverines rushing
Car Yds TD Avg
Blake Corum574114.8
Hassan Haskins175623.3
A. J. Henning129029.0
J. J. McCarthy42305.8
Cornelius Johnson117017.0
Cade McNamara2603.0
Leon Franklin1505.0
Donovan Edwards3110.3
Wolverines receiving
Rec Yds TD Avg
Roman Wilson282141.0
Luke Schoonmaker249024.5
Erick All243121.5
Hassan Haskins32207.3
Donovan Edwards32006.7
Cornelius Johnson115015.0
Carter Selzer1606.0
Andrel Anthony1606.0
Blake Corum2603.0
Mike Sainristil1101.0
Iowa statistics[51]
Hawkeyes passing
C–A Yds TD INT
Spencer Petras9–2213700
Alex Padilla10–153801
Gavin Williams0–1000
Hawkeyes rushing
Car Yds TD Avg
Gavin Williams125604.7
Tyler Goodson185002.8
Charlie Jones1606.0
Arland Bruce IV1202.0
Spencer Petras1-100-10.0
Hawkeyes receiving
Rec Yds TD Avg
Sam LaPorta662010.3
Charlie Jones241020.5
Tyler Goodson62804.7
Luke Lachey122022.0
Keagan Johnson113013.0
Arland Bruce IV21005.0
Gavin Williams1-10-1.0

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Officiating crews for the 2021 college football conference championship games". footballzebras.com. November 30, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Game Notes: Michigan vs. Iowa, Big Ten Championship" (PDF). Michigan Wolverines Football. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "2021 Michigan Football Media Guide: Victors Valiant" (PDF). Michigan Wolverines Football. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  4. ↑ Knoop, Trent (November 30, 2021). "3 keys to a Michigan win vs. Iowa". USA Today. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Michigan Earns Big Ten Football Championship Game Berth". Big Ten Conference. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  6. ↑ Hanson, Austin (December 2, 2021). "What's at stake for Iowa football in the Big Ten Championship Game". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  7. ↑ "2021 Iowa Football Media Guide" (PDF). Iowa Hawkeyes Football. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Big Ten 2004 Football Season Wrapup". Big Ten Conference. January 6, 2005. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  9. ↑ "2021 Big Ten Football Media Guide" (PDF). Big Ten Conference. pp. 11–16. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  10. ↑ "2021 Michigan Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  11. ↑ Zuke, Ryan; Kahn, Andrew (September 4, 2021). "Michigan dominates Western Michigan 47-14: Live updates recap". M Live. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  12. ↑ Bianchi, Nolan (September 11, 2021). "Recap: Michigan stumps Washington at Big House, 31-10". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  13. ↑ Selbe, Nick (September 4, 2021). "Montana Shocks No. 20 Washington in 13-7 Upset Win". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ "No. 25 Michigan hosts Northern Illinois, former Spartans QB". USA Today. September 16, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ Crawford, Kirkland (September 18, 2021). "Michigan football dominates Northern Illinois, 63-10". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ Bianchi, Nolan (September 25, 2021). "Recap: Michigan avoids second-half collapse to take down Rutgers, 20-13". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  17. ↑ Sayfie, Clayton (September 26, 2021). "Michigan Football Surges To No. 14 In AP Poll". The Maize and Blue Review. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  18. ↑ Mellenthin, Ryan (October 2, 2021). "Wisconsin suffers second-straight loss, beaten by No. 14 Michigan, 38-17". SB Nation. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Moody's late FG lifts No. 9 Michigan past Nebraska 32-29". CBS Sports. October 10, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  20. ↑ Lassan, Steven (October 29, 2021). "Michigan vs. Michigan State Football Prediction and Preview". Athlon Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  21. ↑ Mohr, Dani (October 31, 2021). "Kenneth Walker III leads Spartans to rivalry win over Wolverines". Sporting News. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  22. ↑ "No. 9 Michigan tops Indiana 29-7, bounces back from 1st loss". CBS Sports. November 7, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  23. ↑ "McNamara, No. 9 Michigan rally past No. 23 Penn State 21-17". ESPN. November 13, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  24. ↑ Zuke, Ryan (November 20, 2021). "Michigan trounces Maryland 59-18". M Live. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  25. ↑ Putnik, Gary (November 28, 2021). "No. 5 Michigan beats No. 2 Ohio State for the first time since 2011". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  26. ↑ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (November 27, 2021). "Haskins Powers Michigan Past No. 2 Ohio State, into Big Ten Championship Game". MGoBlue. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  27. ↑ Palm, Jerry; Silverstein, Adam (November 30, 2021). "College Football Playoff Rankings: Michigan takes No. 2 spot, Cincinnati holds at No. 4 in new top 25". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  28. ↑ VanHaaren, Tom (December 3, 2021). "Michigan Wolverines football team to wear jersey patch honoring Oxford High School shooting victims". ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  29. ↑ "2021 Iowa Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  30. ↑ Felts, Patrick (September 4, 2021). "No. 17 IU football falls 34-6 at No. 18 Iowa in season opener". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  31. ↑ "No. 9 Iowa beats No. 10 Iowa St 27-17 to keep Cy-Hawk Trophy". CBS Sports. September 11, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  32. ↑ Cerna, Alfonso (September 13, 2021). "Iowa football moves into No. 5 spot in AP rankings". WQAD. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  33. ↑ Withrow, Lauren (September 18, 2021). "Around the Big Ten: Kent State at No. 5 Iowa Game Recap". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  34. ↑ Southard, Dargan (September 25, 2021). "Recap: Iowa football holds on to beat Colorado State, 24-14". Hawk Central. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  35. ↑ "No. 5 Iowa forces 7 turnovers in 51-14 rout of Maryland". CBS Sports. October 2, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  36. ↑ Steppe, John (October 3, 2021). "Iowa moves to No. 3 in AP Poll". The Gazette. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  37. ↑ Becton, Stan (October 11, 2021). "No. 3 Iowa rallies past No. 4 Penn State to remain undefeated | NCAA.com". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  38. ↑ Brown, Chelsie (October 10, 2021). "Iowa up to No. 2 in AP rankings". KCRG. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  39. ↑ Southard, Dargan (October 16, 2021). "Recap: No. 2 Iowa football falls to Purdue at Kinnick Stadium for first loss of season". Hawk Central. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Defense carries Wisconsin to 27-7 triumph over No. 9 Iowa". CBS Sports. October 30, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  41. ↑ Hanson, Austin (November 2, 2021). "Iowa debuts at No. 22 in College Football Playoff rankings". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  42. ↑ Seligman, Andrew (November 8, 2021). "No. 19 Iowa changes quarterbacks, beats Northwestern 17-12". KGAN. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  43. ↑ Creglow, Zack (November 13, 2021). "No. 14 Iowa 27, Minnesota 22: Hawkeyes edge Golden Gophers to keep the Floyd of Rosedale". Hawk Central. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  44. ↑ "No. 17 Iowa Downs Illinois, 33-23, for 9th Win". University of Iowa Athletics. November 20, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Week 13 Football Release" (Press release). Big Ten Conference. November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  46. ↑ "No. 17 Iowa's Rally Deals Huskers Another Heartbreaking Loss". Associated Press. November 26, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  47. ↑ Greder, Andy (November 20, 2021). "How Gophers can still win the Big Ten West division". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  48. ↑ "Minnesota Chops Down No. 18 Wisconsin 23-13 To Take Back Axe". Associated Press. November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  49. ↑ Hensley, Adam (December 4, 2021). "Who are the Big Ten Championship game announcers for Iowa football vs. Michigan?". The Des Moines Register. Hawk Central. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Michigan vs. Iowa - Team Statistics - December 4, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN. December 4, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  51. 1 2 3 "Michigan vs. Iowa - Box Score - December 4, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN. December 4, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
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