Michigan State leads Iowa, ending three-game losing streak

EAST LANSING – A record-setting day on special teams and impressive performances on both sides of the line helped Michigan State snap a three-game losing streak.

Jonathan Kim hit a program-record six field goals and the Spartans (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) fended off a strong rushing attack from Iowa (4-3, 2-2) to secure a 32-20 win on Saturday night. Victory.

Although Michigan State struggled to find the end zone, especially in the first half, it moved the ball up and down the field all night and never returned a punt.

Aidan Chiles had a strong performance and ended the losing streak by completing 22 of 30 throws for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 51 yards and led a balanced attack for the Spartans.

Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams and Nathan Carter combined for 24 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown. True freshman Nick Marsh had eight catches for 113 yards, while Montorie Foster had a career-high 100 yards and a touchdown on five grabs.

Iowa's Kaleb Johnson ranked second in the nation with 156 yards rushing per game on Saturday, but was cornered except for a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Cade McNamara, a former starter at Michigan, suffered his second straight loss in East Lansing, completing 11 of 23 passes for 150 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Michigan State managed 468 yards almost equally, including 256 through the air and 212 on the ground. Iowa only had 283 total yards

The win gives Michigan State much-needed momentum heading into next week's rivalry showdown in Michigan. The Wolverines (4-3, 2-2) lost 21-7 at Illinois on Saturday for their second straight loss.

Michigan State got the ball early in the game and put together a strong opening drive before stalling just outside the red zone. Kim split the uprights from 42 yards out to give the Spartans their first lead since the fourth quarter of a Week 4 loss at Boston College. This would be a recurring theme as Michigan State couldn't get into the end zone and Kim made four field goals in the first half.

After a defensive three-and-out on Iowa's first possession, the Spartans mixed run and pass as they moved down the field again before hitting another wall. Iowa appeared to escape with pass interference in the end zone on third down, and Kim hit a 43-yard field goal to double the lead.

Chiles' ninth interception of the season gave the Hawkeyes the ball on Michigan State's side of the field, but they still couldn't get a first down. Drew Stevens had plenty of distance, but missed a 58-yard field goal in the final seconds of the first quarter.

On their fourth possession, the Spartans finally reached the red zone but couldn't advance. Kim scored from 36 yards and then from 29 yards for a 12-0 lead. His 55-yard attempt missed as time expired in the first half for his first miss of the season after he hit his first 13 balls.

Michigan State dominated Iowa in yards (250-58), first downs (15-2) and time of possession (21:13-8:47) in the first half, while the Hawkeyes went just 0 of 5 in the third half .

Coming out of the locker room, Iowa reached its total first-half yardage total of 58 in eight plays, scoring its first touchdown of the game. On third-and-8, McNamara hit Reece Vander Zee for an 18-yard score.

Michigan State quickly responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive to finally get into the end zone. The Chiles danced through the Iowa defense for a 26-yard gain before throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Foster for a 19-7 lead.

Iowa took advantage of opportunities in the passing game to soften Michigan State's defense and marched down the field for its second straight touchdown. Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan, whom the Hawkeyes use in goal-line situations, scored on a 2-yard run in the final minute of the third quarter for five points in the game.

The Spartans couldn't keep up with the Hawkeyes for another touchdown and turned to Kim again. His 55-yard field goal made it a 22-14 lead and tied the program record for most goals in a game, as Paul Edinger (twice in 1998) and John Langeloh (1988) had both previously scored five goals . Four minutes later, a 46-yarder broke the record in a 6-for-7 victory.

Iowa needed just one play to make it a one-possession game again when Johnson rounded the left edge for a 75-yard touchdown run. The 2-point conversion failed and Michigan State maintained a 25-20 lead midway through the fourth period.

The Spartans needed a drive to win the game and got it. Chiles led the team down the field with his arm and Carter hit a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:03 to play. That secured Michigan State the win.

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