Iowa Upsets Wisconsin; Mich. in Rose Bowl

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Posted 8:19PM on Saturday, November 20, 2004

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa sent Michigan to the Rose Bowl. Drew Tate threw three touchdown passes and Iowa's defense forced four turnovers to beat No. 9 Wisconsin 30-7 and claim a share of the Big Ten title on Saturday. Ohio State's 37-21 victory over Michigan earlier in the day raised the stakes for the 80th meeting between the Badgers and Hawkeyes, putting the conference championship on the line for both teams. The No. 17 Hawkeyes (9-2, 7-1) won their second league title in three years, splitting it this time with Michigan. But the Wolverines claim the invitation to the Rose Bowl thanks to their 30-17 victory over Iowa earlier this season. For the Badgers (9-2, 6-2), a promising season has crumbled the last two weeks with two losses by a combined 79-21. After a rocky start, Tate settled down and finished 15-of-24 for 186 yards. He fired two TD passes to Clinton Solomon, including a 51-yarder late in the first half, and another to Scott Chandler late in the third quarter. Kyle Schlicher kicked three field goals, all in the second half, to lead Iowa to its 18th straight home victory, the nation's fourth longest streak. But it was Iowa's defense that caused most of the problems for the Badgers, who were coming off a humbling 49-14 defeat at Michigan State. The Hawkeyes, the Big Ten's leader in turnovers, picked off John Stocco twice and recovered two fumbles, converting three of the takeaways into 13 second-half points. As Big Ten co-champs, the Hawkeyes appear to be in line for a bid to the Capital One Bowl, in Orlando, Fla., while the Badgers' postseason plans are unclear. Playing without leading rusher Anthony Davis, Wisconsin was held to just 41 yards rushing and 186 overall. Davis, who rushed for 894 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, was in uniform but stayed on the sideline with a thigh injury. Stocco was 14-29 for 107 yards. Despite throwing interceptions on Iowa's first two possessions, Tate settled down and helped Iowa score first when he rolled out and threw a 6-yard TD pass to Solomon in the first quarter. The Badgers had failed to capitalize on their opportunities. Wisconsin blew two early chances that were set up when safety Jim Leonhard intercepted Tate twice in Iowa territory. Wisconsin failed to get a first down on both drives, and a muffed hold on a 47-yard field goal attempt thwarted the first scoring chance. Leonhard's interceptions gave him 21 in his career, tying him with Jamar Fletcher for a school record. Wisconsin tied it just before halftime when Booker Stanley scored on a 4-yard run around right end. Four plays later, Tate fired a 51-yard TD pass on the move to Solomon, putting Iowa up 14-7 at the half. Tate fired a 12-yard TD pass to Chandler in the third quarter to make it 21-7.