Iowa football vs. Michigan State score updates, highlights analysis (Oct. 19, 2024)

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Iowa football unraveled in the fourth quarter Saturday night at Spartan Stadium and suffered a 32-20 upset loss to Michigan State.

Iowa (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) had a chance to potentially go on a game-tying touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter, trailing by eight points. But quarterback Cade McNamara appeared to wildly overthrow tight end Luke Lachey, resulting in a costly interception.

Michigan State’s excellent field position off the McNamara pick set up Jonathan Kim’s single-game program-record sixth field goal. Iowa answered on the next play with a 75-yard Kaleb Johnson touchdown run to cut the deficit to 25-20, but Michigan State (4-3, 2-2) removed any doubt with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped by Nate Carter’s 1-yard run.

Michigan State’s game-clinching drive was symbolic of Iowa’s overall defensive letdown, as the Hawkeyes gave up 468 total yards to the Spartans while periodically missing tackles in a matter that is uncharacteristic for Phil Parker’s unit.

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles had 256 yards while completing 73 percent of his passes (22-30). He had one touchdown and one interception.

Chiles’ success came against an Iowa secondary that was without defensive back Sebastian Castro — an Associated Press third-team All-American last year — because of an injury.

The one bright spot for Iowa’s defense was its ability to limit promising Michigan State drives to field goals instead of touchdowns. Six of the Spartans’ eight scoring drives were field goals, which kept the Hawkeyes in the game longer.

Iowa’s offense showed improvement in the second half after only mustering 58 yards before intermission. But it certainly was not enough to overcome the 12-0 deficit and the defense’s porous performance.

Even with Johnson’s 75-yard touchdown carry in the fourth quarter, it was an unusually unproductive night for the Hawkeyes rushing attack, which finished with 133 yards. Johnson had 98.

Iowa barely showed any threat in the passing game, as McNamara finished the day 11-of-23 for 150 yards. He had one touchdown — an 18-yard throw to true freshman Reece Vander Zee — and the costly interception.

— John Steppe