Game Report: Iowa 26, Michigan State 16

A closer look at the game, with the turning point, numbers and notes.

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Watch Jay Higgins discuss Iowa's win

Cooper DeJean delivers late heroics

Cooper DeJean sprinted his way to a 70-yard punt return touchdown — a score that elevated Iowa (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) past Michigan State (2-3, 0-2) in a drama-filled 26-16 win at Kinnick Stadium.

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Final: Iowa 26, Michigan State 16

Iowa's Jermari Harris wrapped it up with an interception.

Iowa improves to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten.

Michigan State is 2-3, 0-2 after its third straight loss.

A field goal should seal it

Drew Stevens kicked a 34-yard field goal after the Michigan State fumble to make it a 10-point lead.

Iowa 26, Michigan State 16 (0:59 4th)

Iowa recovers a fumble

Jay Higgins forced Trey Mosley to fumble on the second play of Michigan State's ensuing drive. Ethan Hurkett recovered at the MSU 30.

Iowa 23, Michigan State 16 (3:29 4th)

Touchdown Iowa: Cooper DeJean gives the Hawkeyes the lead

Cooper DeJean had all kinds of room on the punt return and took advantage. He got a head start, made a couple Spartans miss and outran everyone down the sideline for a 70-yard touchdown that gave the Hawkeyes the lead.

Back-to-back MSU false starts led to a third-and-13 pass that fell incomplete and the punt.

Iowa 23, Michigan State 16 (3:45 4th)

HAWKEYES TAKE THE LEAD. 🙌

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/B6UEmFlLcN

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 1, 2023

The Kinnick North End Zone Effect on display here.

False start, followed by a MSU timeout. Third-and-8 on Michigan State's own 27-yard line.

Iowa ties it with a field goal

Drew Stevens kicked a 36-yard field goal to tie the score after a seven-play, 20-yard drive.

Iowa picked up a first down with a Deacon Hill third-down sneak, but the passing game sputtered with a Diante Vines drop and a ball batted down by Derrick Harmon at the line of scrimmage.

Leshon Williams picked up 9 yards on a third-and-10 run to set up the kick, a decision the crowd wasn't thrilled with.

Iowa 16, Michigan State 16 (5:19 4th)

Iowa OL Nick DeJong is down with an injury.

MSU shanks the punt

Ryan Eckley's last punt went 67 yards. This one only traveled 15.

Iowa has to take advantage here, starting at the MSU 38 with 7:47 left and trailing by three.

Iowa moves the ball, but not too far

The Hawkeyes converted their first third down of the night when Deacon Hill found Seth Anderson for an 11-yard gain on third-and-5.

But later, Hill's third-and-9 pass to Kaleb Brown went through his hands, resulting in a punt. 

Michigan State regains possession at its 12 after Tory Taylor's 50-yard boot.

Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 (10:33 4th)

MSU goes three-and-out

The bad news for Iowa: Ryan Eckley unleashed a 67-yard punt and the Hawkeyes take over at their 5 with 14:05 left.

End 3rd: Michigan State 16, Iowa 13

Stop me if you've heard this before... Iowa's defense is doing enough to keep the Hawkeyes in this one, but the offense has not taken advantage.

Iowa's five drives in the third quarter ended in two turnovers, two punts and a field goal.

Plays: MSU 59, Iowa 39.

Yards: MSU 301, Iowa 166.

Points: MSU 16, Iowa 13.

Iowa does nothing

Back-to-back-to-back incomplete passes on an Iowa drive that started at its 33.

Michigan State gets it back 18 seconds later, at its 23.

Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 (0:15 3rd)

Michigan State comes up empty

A false start on third-and-4 backed the Spartans up 5 yards and Jonathan Kim came on after an incomplete pass for his fourth field goal attempt of the night.

This one was a 50-yard attempt that clanged off the right upright.

Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 (0:33 3rd)

Three-and-out draws boos

Iowa gained 5 yards on this drive, with a handoff to Leshon Williams gaining 2 on third-and-7. That drew audible boos from the Kinnick crowd.

To make matters worse, Tory Taylor's punt only went 36 yards and the Spartans get it back at their 49 with "Fire Brian" chants still coming through on the NBC broadcast.

Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 (3:49 3rd)

Another TFL for Schulte

Quinn Schulte blew up that Michigan State drive with an 8-yard TFL on a reverse, despite a block in the back penalty.

Iowa gets it back at its 10 after the punt.

Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 (5:23 3rd)

Iowa settles for 3

Chester Kimbrough blitzed and immediately sacked Deacon Hill for a 9-yard loss on third-and-6.

That brought on Drew Stevens for a 53-yard field goal, which he nailed.

Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 (7:38 3rd)

Michigan State turns it over on downs and gives Iowa a golden opportunity

Nate Carter appeared to have converted a third-and-15 on a run from the MSU 16, but after review it was ruled he was down a yard short of the marker.

Iowa stopped the ensuing quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 and takes over at the MSU 30, down 16-10 with 9:37 left in the third.

That play was also reviewed, by the way, and stood.

Deacon Hill picked off

Two straight turnovers for the Iowa offense.

Angelo Grose intercepted Deacon Hill's pass on the sideline and Michigan State gets it back at the MSU 19.

Iowa had reached Spartan territory via a roughing the passer penalty.

Michigan State 16, Iowa 10 (11:09 3rd)

Iowa QB Cade McNamara is on the sidelines on crutches. Has officially been ruled out for the rest of the game.

Touchdown Michigan State: Iowa gives it right back

On the first play after the turnover, Leshon Williams fumbled and Cal Haladay returned it for a 42-yard touchdown to give the Spartans the lead. Tunmise Adeleye knocked the ball free.

Michigan State 16, Iowa 10 (13:08 3rd)

A @MSU_Football SCOOP N' SCORE to start the second half.

📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/FRPjes5qLz

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 1, 2023

Another pick for the Iowa secondary

Sebastian Castro put an end to Michigan State's first drive of the second half, cutting off an underthrown Noah Kim pass for an interception at the Iowa 39.

Iowa 10, Michigan State 9 (13:20 3rd)

Kirk Ferentz on Cade McNamara

NBC reporter Kathryn Tappen asked Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz if he had an update on quarterback Cade McNamara's status since leaving the game with an apparent leg injury in the first quarter.

"I don't think it's anything good," Ferentz said. "Just have to keep playing."

Jonathan Kim's 58-yd field goal is a Kinnick Stadium record.

Heck of a deal for Michigan State, kicking a half-ending 58-yard field goal and all.

Made those timeouts and yards matter after getting the ball back with :26 left. Spartans' longest field goal in 40 years.

Halftime: Iowa 10, Michigan State 9

Jonathan Kim drilled a 58-yard field goal to end the first half.

The Spartans drove 35 yards on six plays to give him a chance.

Iowa goes three-and-out

Deacon Hill and Diante Vines had back-to-back open opportunities, but Hill's second-and-5 pass was a little high and fast, while the third-and-5 pass slipped through Vines' arms.

Michigan State has it at its 25 with 36 seconds remaining.

Iowa gets another chance before the half

Xavier Nwankpa got a TFL and a holding penalty pushed MSU farther back. Iowa used two timeouts and gets the ball at its 21 with 1:39 left.

Touchdown Iowa: Hawkeyes lead 10-6

That drive was all Erick All.

He took a tight end screen pass from Deacon Hill, broke multiple tackles and dragged a defender across the goal line for a 13-yard touchdown.

Hill also found All for gains of 32 (with a roughing the passer penalty tacked on) and 17 on that five-play, 80-yard drive.

Big swing after the Cooper DeJean end-zone interception.

Iowa 10, Michigan State 6 (3:48 2nd)

TOUCHDOWN @HawkeyeFootball. 🙌

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/gRXJeqZ1zB

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 1, 2023

Key INT for Cooper DeJean

With Michigan State driving, Iowa safety Cooper DeJean read Michigan State quarterback Noah Kim's overthrow perfectly.

DeJean tracked the ball, floated to the back of the end zone and kept a foot in bounds for the interception to interrupt a 44-yard MSU drive that had reached the Iowa 20.

Michigan State 6, Iowa 3 (6:04 2nd)

A red zone INT for @HawkeyeFootball!

📺 @nbc and @peacock pic.twitter.com/6hEITtxUu3

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 1, 2023

Two straight three-and-outs for Iowa

Deacon Hill's third-and-4 pass was tipped by Michigan State's Malik Spencer.

Michigan State has it back at its 23 after a 60-yard Tory Taylor punt.

Michigan State 6, Iowa 3 (9:57 2nd)

Michigan State takes the lead

Jonathan Kim kicked a 30-yard field goal at the end of a 14-play, 61-yard drive.

Iowa appeared to have forced a turnover on downs, but Logan Lee was flagged for offsides that resulted in a first down at the Iowa 30.

Michigan State 6, Iowa 3 (11:04 2nd)

Iowa goes three-and-out

Deacon Hill completed his first pass to Diante Vines for a 6-yard gain, but his third-and-7 attempt was incomplete after Erick All slipped.

Michigan State takes over at its 25.

Iowa 3, Michigan State 3 (2:13 1st)

Cade McNamara is being carted off to the locker room. Still no weight on his left leg as he hobbled to the cart.

Michigan State ties it up

Jonathan Kim kicked a 31-yard field goal to complete a six-play, 43-yard drive for the Spartans.

A personal fourl penalty on Logan Lee was the biggest gain for MSU.

Iowa 3, Michigan State 3 (3:48 1st)

Iowa punts

Deacon Hill ran for 4 yards on his first snap and Tory Taylor punted from the back of the Iowa end zone, a 56-yard boot that puts MSU at its 43.

Iowa 3, Michigan State 0 (7:10 1st)

Deacon Hill in the game

Iowa QB Cade McNamara is helped off the field without putting any weight on his left leg.

Cade McNamara is hurt

The Iowa quarterback had to scramble out of the end zone on second-and-11 for no gain. He took a shot on the play but the replay looks like he hurt his left leg before the contact. 

McNamara is down on the field and receiving medical attention.

The August injury he had been dealing with early in the season was his right quad.

Deacon Hill is warming up.

Iowa 3, Michigan State 0 (8:02 1st)

Iowa gets a stop, but is pinned

Michigan State picked up one first down on its opening drive. Quinn Schulte stopped Maliq Carr short of the marker on third-and-5.

Ryan Eckley's punt bounced 61 yards to the Iowa 3.

Iowa 3, Michigan State 0 (8:52 1st)

Iowa gets on the board first

Drew Stevens' 40-yard field goal gives the Hawkeyes an early lead.

The first targets of this game didn't feel coincidental considering the conversation surrounding Iowa's offense. Cade McNamara hit Diante Vines for a 23-yard gain, then picked up 14 more on a pass to Nico Ragaini. 

Eventually, though, the drive stalled when Erick All dropped a second-and-5 pass and McNamara's third-down pass sailed wide of Seth Anderson.

It was an eight-play, 53-yard drive.

Iowa 3, Michigan State 0 (11:25 1st)

First play of the game... SPIN CYCLE.

📺 @nbc | @HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/18msmdIObq

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 30, 2023

Two plays for Iowa, two completions to wide receivers for 23 yards.

Well done on the blackout

As expected from warmups, Rusty Feth gets the start at left guard. Nick DeJong at right guard.

A bit of a change on the Iowa offensive line

Rusty Feth is taking first-team reps in pregame warmups at left guard. Nick DeJong at right guard. Connor Colby on second team.

Pat Fitzgerald is at Kinnick

Ex-Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald is here accompanying recruits from Loyola Academy.

Robert Gallery receives rare honor

Robert Gallery is now one of 11 former Iowa football players to be on the Kinnick Stadium Wall of Honor. For Gallery, his individual accomplishment — both the Kinnick Wall of Honor addition and the upcoming College Football Hall of Fame induction — is a reflection of those who played with him as well.

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Iowa vs. Michigan State availability report

Iowa football will again be without running backs Kaleb Johnson and Jaziun Patterson for its game against Michigan State, according to the pregame availability report. It is no surprise after Kirk Ferentz said earlier in the week he anticipated both players being out for “another week at least.”

Iowa and Michigan State’s full Big Ten-mandated pregame availability reports are below. Iowa’s first-team players are indicated with an asterisk.

IOWA - OUT

• RB Kaleb Johnson*

• WR Jacob Bostick

• RB Jaziun Patterson

• WR Reese Osgood

• OL Asher Fahey

• DL Anterio Thompson

• TE Luke Lachey*

• DL Chris Reames

MICHIGAN STATE - OUT

• DB Chuck Brantley

• RB Jaren Mangham

• LB Jacoby Windmon

• DL Jarrett Jackson

• RB Jordan Simmons

• DB Marqui Lowery Jr.

• DB Khalil Majeed

• OL Keyshawn Blackstock

• OL Geno VanDeMark

Iowa vs. Michigan State pregame storylines

3 keys: Iowa needs to get the passing game going, boast an effective defensive front against Nate Carter and win the turnover battle. Here’s the analysis from John Steppe.

Gameday feature: Jay Higgins is continuing Iowa’s trend of stellar middle linebackers.

Hlas column: So far, Cade McNamara’s Iowa band is playing its same old sad song.

Michigan State perspective: The Spartans are trying to make something of a football season that has turned chaotic.

Fun Facts: Iowa is 14-7 all-time in home night games. Here are 20 things to know about Saturday’s matchup.

Data analysis: Iowa has shown slight improvement in yards per play, but still is in the cellar of college football.

Iowa vs. Michigan State predictions

Line: Iowa -10.5

Mike Hlas: Iowa 24, Michigan State 9

John Steppe: Iowa 20, Michigan State 6

Jeff Johnson: Iowa 3, Michigan State 2

Rob Gray: Iowa 20, Michigan State 14

Beth Malicki: Iowa 20, Michigan State 17

Todd Brommelkamp: Iowa 20, Michigan State 9

How to watch Iowa vs. Michigan State

Kickoff time: 6:37 p.m. (CT)

TV channel: NBC

Live stream: Peacock

TV announcers: Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Kathryn Tappen (sideline)

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network | SiriusXM Channel 85