IOWA CITY - In perhaps a sign that desperation is kicking in for a beleaguered defense, the University of Michigan started its third different player at right cornerback in its last three games last night at Iowa.

This time it was a safety that started at corner opposite Donovan Warren, as Troy Woolfolk returned to his old position in last night's 30-28 loss to Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. The move is an apparent response by UM's coaching staff to seemingly inadequate play by redshirt freshman J.T. Floyd, who replaced a struggling Boubacar Cissoko in the Indiana game and then won the starting job against Michigan State last week.

Jordan Kovacs and Mike Williams, who have rotated at free safety for most of the season, shared the field.

Also of importance is Cissoko did not travel with the team for an undisclosed reason. Should Cissoko miss significant time, be it an injury or otherwise, Floyd would become UM's only back-up at corner that has played much this season, making the Woolfolk experiment that much more important.

Woolfolk played sparingly at corner a year ago and switched to safety in the spring and won a starting spot. Entering last night's game he had 23 tackles.

Warren, the secondary's most consistent player, stepped in front of a Ricky Stanzi pass on the second play of the game, and returned his third interception of the year 40 yards for a score.

A week ago, Stevie Brown intercepted Michigan State's Kirk Cousins on the second play of the game.

BROWN OUT: As expected, leading rusher Carlos Brown did not play after suffering a concussion during the week.

Brandon Minor, who himself has battled health issues this year, started and finished with 97 yards on 22 carries. His 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was the first rushing touchdown Iowa has allowed in 33 quarters.

UM coach Rich Rodriguez said Friday evening on a video posted on the university Web site that Brown did not travel with the team, confirming suspicion that something was wrong with Brown after he did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Spelling Minor were Mike Shaw and true freshman Vincent Smith.

CAMPBELL: Iowa receivers/tight ends coach Erik Campbell was a four-year letterwinner (1984-87) at UM under Bo Schembechler and served on staff for the Wolverines beginning in 1995 and ending when Rodriguez took over in 2007. Campbell was UM's assistant head coach for the final five years of his tenure and is the only player in program history to have started at all four secondary positions in one season.

"I know Soup pretty well. I know his nickname," Rodriguez said of Campbell.

"We talked when I first got the job here and he's been by quite a few times over the summers.

He's a great guy, outstanding coach. We haven't talked obviously since the season started but during the summer I saw him a few times."

WEATHER: A reasonably heavy snowfall descended on Iowa City yesterday morning, and by the

7 p.m. kickoff temperatures were in the mid-30s.