Iowa vs. Michigan State Game Report: Numbers and notes from the Hawkeyes’ 32-20 loss

IOWA CITY — A closer look at Iowa’s 32-20 loss Saturday night over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium.

Turning point: Lack of effectiveness for Hawkeyes defense in general, especially late in the fourth quarter

You’ll be hard pressed to remember an Iowa defensive unit that missed as many tackles at these Hawkeyes did Saturday night.

Michigan State running backs, wide receivers and quarterback Aidan Charles just kept spinning and powering out of potential stops from Iowa would-be tacklers.

Iowa’s defense allowed 468 overall yards: 212 on the ground and 256 passing. For a group that played so well last season and had so many returning starters, there’s no question this season has been a disappointment.

After running back Kaleb Johnson’s 75-yard touchdown run with 7:22 left in the fourth quarter brought Iowa within 25-20, that Hawkeye defense had a chance to redeem its earlier play and give its team a chance to win.

Instead Michigan State went on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that took 5:19 off the clock and culminated in Nate Carter’s 1-yard touchdown burst with 2:03 left. That meant a 32-20 Spartans lead.

And the ballgame was over.

By the numbers: Washington at Iowa

6 — Field goals made by Michigan State kicker Jonathan Kim. That’s a school record.

17 — First-quarter yards for Iowa. That’s the fewest for the Hawkeyes in a quarter since 2022 against Ohio state.

55 — The longest of Kim’s multitude of made field goals. He also missed one from that spot.

468 — Michigan State offensive yards. That’s the most Iowa’s defense has allowed since 2019, against Wisconsin.

1,061 — Johnson’s rushing yardage in his career. He had 98 yards rushing on 14 carries in this game to surpass the century mark.

Iowa football notebook

* Due to the vagaries of the Big Ten Conference schedule, this was the first time Iowa played at Michigan State since 2017 (a 17-10 MSU victory). The teams did play three times after that, all at Kinnick Stadium.

This was the 50th meeting overall between the schools, a series that began in 1953 and Iowa leads 25-23-2. Coach Kirk Ferentz’s first Big Ten win at Iowa came against Michigan State in 2000 (21-16).

* Michigan State did not punt in the game. The last time an opponent didn’t punt against Iowa was in 2013 (Ohio State).

* Another subpar game for Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara. He went just 3-of-9 passing for 30 yards in the first half. For the game, he was 11-of-23 for a touchdown, an interception and 150 passing yards.

The touchdown was an 18-yarder in the third quarter to true freshman Reece Vander Zee. He had three catches for 47 yards in the game.

Iowa football injury report

Hawkeye safety Sebastian Castro missed Saturday night’s game with injury, a significant loss. Tight end Addison Ostrenga and offensive lineman Beau Stephens also were held out.

Iowa’s next game

It’s homecoming for the Hawkeyes, against Northwestern for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff Oct. 26 at Kinnick Stadium. The game will be televised by Big Ten Network. Northwestern dropped to 3-4 with a home loss Saturday to Wisconsin, 23-3.

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