Iowa defensive back Koen Entringer could've given up.
After all, the redshirt freshman from Ypsilanti, Mich.'s play had gotten off to an inauspicious start. As the Hawkeyes punted to Michigan on fourth-and-7 with 1:46 left in the first quarter of the Big Ten championship, Entringer went to tackle Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan and wiped out.
Collecting himself at the four-yard line, however, he gave intense chase to Morgan as the return man streaked across the open field. Nearly 90 yards later, Entringer shoved Morgan out of bounds at Iowa's five-yard line to save a sure touchdown.
Granted, Wolverines running back Blake Corum punched the ball in two plays later from two yards out to propel Michigan to a 10-0 lead. That didn't mean Entringer's effort went unnoticed.
Keep your eyes on #4 for Iowa here. He’s the first one that missed a tackle and falls down at the 5.
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) December 3, 2023
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Entringer saw the field in all 12 games for the Hawkeyes this year, peaking with a quartet of tackles in Iowa's season-opening 24-14 win over Utah State on Sept. 2.
If he keeps making plays like that, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz—ever a fan of defensive and special teams moxie—will doubtlessly have more work for him next year.