IOWA CITY — Iowa’s defensive rushing statistics were impressive enough to scare some teams away.

Quarters without allowing a rushing touchdown: 33. That’s 337 days, eight games and a lot of frustrated opponents.

The 30-28 outcome wasn’t in the Wolverines’ favor, but they quickly managed to render the Hawkeyes’ defensive streak irrelevant.

Michigan found an answer to Iowa’s stalwart rushing defense in senior tailback Brandon Minor. With two rushing touchdowns, Minor kept the Wolverines in the game when its passing attack couldn’t get off the ground.

“I told him he’s on national TV, and you’ve got to go out there and show them what you’re all about,” Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson said. “You’ve got to prove to the people throughout this country that you’re one of the top backs in this country, and that’s what he was trying to do.”

Minor’s numbers don’t indicate that he’s one of the best backs in the country (4.8 yards per carry, good for No. 428 in the nation). But in his limited opportunities this season, he’s proven himself as one of the country’s most physical backs.

Minor has been limited this season with a nagging ankle injury and he has recorded more than 10 carries in just two other games. But Saturday, Minor’s ankle looked like it hadn’t been an issue.

The Wolverines managed to score 28 points against a team that has allowed just 13.6 points per game entering Saturday, and Minor was a huge contributor. He finished with 95 yards on 22 carries and sacrificed his body on nearly every play. The Iowa defense allowed a third rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter, when freshman quarterback Denard Robinson scored on the Wolverines’ second-to-last desperation drive.

On Robinson’s score, Minor used his physicality to provide a huge block near the goal line. It’s that physicality that has earned him rave reviews, even when he’s been injured. On his second touchdown drive, Minor carried six times for 34 yards and somersaulted forward for his first downs.

“When Brandon Minor is healthy, I think we’re a different offensive team,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said.

Part of the reason Minor could break through was the improved play of the offensive line. Last week against Michigan State, Minor and fellow senior tailback Carlos Brown combined for just 17 yards on 10 carries. Left tackle Mark Ortmann said last Monday that he rewatched the game three times trying to find a solution to Michigan’s nonexistent running game.

Even with center David Molk still sidelined, the offensive line found its groove Saturday. In his third straight start at center, David Moosman anchored an offensive line that contained the Hawkeyes’ highly touted defensive line and allowed Michigan to establish its run game.

Graham crackers : Senior defensive end Brandon Graham, who finished seventh in the nation last season with 10 sacks, had not leveled any quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage in Michigan’s first four wins of the season.

Two losses later, Graham has three, including two in Iowa City.

Graham’s defensive play has picked up when the Wolverines have needed it most. He contributed 3.5 tackles for loss Saturday, for a total of 18 yards. But the Michigan defense’s woeful third-down play (8-of-18 against Iowa) has overshadowed Graham’s efforts.

“The frustrating part defensively is that we seemed like we’d get two, three good plays in a row and then we’d give up a big one,” Rodriguez said.

With two sacks Saturday, Graham is now fourth in career sacks at Michigan with 22. He needs four more this season to eclipse former Wolverine James Hall (1996-99) and move into second place. Mark Messner (1985-88) holds the career record with 36.

Campbell calling: Michigan wide receiver Greg Mathews is one of just a few Wolverines who played under former wide receivers coach Erik Campbell.

On Saturday, Mathews finished the game with a huge fumble on a punt return. Campbell, now Iowa’s wide receivers coach, was given the Hawkeyes’ game ball.

“He's our rookie coach right now on the staff, only been here two years, but I'll tell you what — we don't have anybody that's more of a Hawkeye than him,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.

Campbell was deserving of the recognition as the Hawkeye receivers finished with 284 yards on 20 catches, highlighted by two touchdown receptions from tight end Tony Moeaki.