Special teams still not helping

IOWA CITY -- This second-quarter sequence said it all for Iowa's special teams in 2011.

Cornerback Micah Hyde dropped to receive Mike Sadler's punt. It was a great punt into a sustained 12 mph wind and it sailed over Hyde's head. The Spartans downed it at Iowa's 2.

That was the first mistake.

The Hawkeyes' offense tried one pass and went three-and-out. Iowa punter Eric Guthrie booted a nice 51-yard punt, but most of the Iowa punt team was engaged in protecting and lost track of MSU return man Keshawn Martin. The Big Ten's No. 3 punt returner took it 20 yards to Iowa's 35.

The Spartans needed just three plays from there to make it 24-7 on running back Le'Veon Bell's 25-yard TD.

Then, Iowa's Jordan Bernstine fumbled the ensuing kick. Two plays later, MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins hit B.J. Cunningham for a 22-yard TD and a 31-7 halftime lead.

"We left the door open way too many times in all three phases," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "It wasn't just any one segment. Little details. Just all the little things, all the basics that either help you win or make it tougher to win."

Later, Bernstine had a 61-yard kick return that led to a TD, but Iowa's kick return team also had a holding penalty that forced Iowa to start from its 18 when trying to answer a 17-7 deficit.

Iowa kicker Mike Meyer had a 50-yard attempt blocked. Iowa's starting field position was its 25-yard line, compared to 37 for Michigan State.

There also was the "insult to injury" fake field goal in the second half that MSU pulled off while up 31-7. It's at least the second successful fake field goal pulled against the Hawkeyes this season.

"We had a few bumps in the road," Bernstine said. "For our team to be successful, special teams has to help us. We have to push forward on special teams. We didn't do that today."