Familiar woes resurface for Cade McNamara

Cade McNamara wasted little time in taking responsibility after Iowa football’s humbling 32-20 loss to Michigan State.

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Iowa unravels in loss to Michigan State

Iowa’s momentum was abruptly halted in a 32-20 loss Saturday at Michigan State as Jonathan Kim kicked six field goals and the Spartans totaled 468 yards of offense.

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Touchdown MSU: Spartans likely wrap this one up

Nate Carter punched in a 1-yard touchdown run to likely seal the win for the Spartans.

That was one play after Nick Marsh's terrific effort on an 11-yard catch came up just short of a highlight-reel touchdown.

But, Michigan State got into the end zone eventually for the second time on eight scoring drives and that looks like it will be enough. It was a nine-play, 75-yard drive.

Michigan State 32, Iowa 20 (2:03 4th)

Touchdown Iowa: Kaleb Johnson gets free

What did Iowa need trailing by 11 with 7 1/2 minutes left? How about a Kaleb Johnson 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive?

Johnson had only 23 yards rushing on 13 prior carries, but it's tough to keep him quiet for an entire game.

Iowa went for two to try to cut the lead to three but Cade McNamara's pass was tipped incomplete.

Michigan State 25, Iowa 20 (7:22 4th)

It was only a matter of time...

Kaleb Johnson with a STATEMENT run.@HawkeyeFootball | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/GdLK3F75jx

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 20, 2024

Historic kick for Jonathan Kim

Michigan State kicker Jonathan Kim set a single-game program record with his sixth field goal, this one from 46 yards.

The Spartans only gained 2 yards on six plays after the interception thanks to a third-down offensive pass interference penalty, but Kim extended the lead to two scores regardless.

Michigan State 25, Iowa 14 (7:34 4th)

Cade McNamara picked off (10:52 4th)

Iowa's offense was clicking in the third quarter, but as soon as the fourth quarter started it was back to the struggle bus.

Kaleb Johnson lost 3 yards on first down, then Cade McNamara lofted a pass into a crowd of Michigan State defenders. Nikai Martinez intercepted it and got 21 yards on the return to the Iowa 30.

EXACTLY what the Spartans need. #B1GFootball@MSU_Football | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/bBLQxBc8gF

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 20, 2024

Another Michigan State field goal

Jonathan Kim missed a 55-yard field goal in the first half but connected from that distance this time, tying an MSU record with his fifth field goal of the game.

That was a seven-play, 38-yard drive for the Spartans.

Michigan State 22, Iowa 14 (11:52 4th)

Injury update

Iowa defensive back Koen Entringer is questionable to return, per Iowa sports information.

Touchdown Iowa: Hawkeyes respond

Brendan Sullivan entered at quarterback deep in MSU territory and ran in a 2-yard touchdown to get the Hawkeyes back within a score.

It was an eight-play, 69-yard drive and Iowa is 2-for-2 in the second half after a scoreless first half.

Cade McNamara hit Luke Lachey for a 28-yard gain on the second play of the drive with a 15-yard face-mask penalty tacked on. McNamara converted third-and-6 from the MSU 21 with a 12-yard pass to Reece Vander Zee.

Michigan State 19, Iowa 14 (0:49 3rd)

Back and forth we go. Iowa strikes back to get within one score.@HawkeyeFootball | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/bTyDwWkn2L

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 20, 2024

Kade Pieper is in at left guard for the Hawkeyes.

Touchdown MSU: Spartans find the end zone

Michigan State scored its first touchdown of the game on its fifth scoring drive of the game.

Aidan Chiles hit an open Montorie Foster Jr. in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown pass. The Spartans have been picking on backup cornerback John Nestor.

MSU converted a pair of third-and-shorts on the nine-play, 75-yard drive, including Chiles' dazzling 26-yard run on third-and-2 from the MSU 44.

Michigan State 19, Iowa 7 (4:34 2nd)

The Spartans find the endzone!@MSU_Football | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/oJqzYYotrX

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 20, 2024

Touchdown Iowa: The offense is alive

Iowa totaled 58 yards of offense in the first half. It totaled 58 on its first possession of the second half, including Cade McNamara's 18-yard touchdown pass to Reece Vander Zee who, as NBC's Noah Eagle called it, "Mossed" his MSU defender.

McNamara and Vander Zee connected for the first time on third-and-4 for the Hawkeyes' first third-down conversion of the game.

The Spartans, already, are thinking about those five first-half drives that resulted in field-goal attempts rather than touchdowns.

Michigan State 12, Iowa 7 (9:52 3rd)

REECE VANDER ZEE! GOES AND GETS IT! #B1GFootball@HawkeyeFootball | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/5oCsvWUtQT

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 20, 2024

Halftime: MSU 12, Iowa 0

Michigan State has outplayed Iowa in every phase of the game and has a 250-58 advantage in yardage. The most impressive thing that the Spartans have done, though, is neutralizing Kaleb Johnson. He entered play ranking second nationally in rushing yards per game, but he only has 15 yards so far.

MSU 12, Iowa 0 (1:53, 2nd)

Michigan State continues to stifle the run while Iowa shows virtually no threat in the air. Iowa goes three-and-out again, and MSU takes over at its own 29-yard line.

MSU 12, Iowa 0 (2:28, 2nd)

Stop me if you've heard this one before... Jonathan Kim made a field goal to expand the Spartans' lead. Michigan State is finding success on the ground and in the air against Iowa's defense.

MSU 9, Iowa 0 (8:26, 2nd)

Iowa shows a little more life offensively, but that's not saying much. The Hawkeyes went into this game as one of the most efficient rushing offenses in the country, but they're averaing only 2.4 yards per carry.

Rhys Dakin's 43-yard punt goes into the end zone for a touchback.

MSU 9, Iowa 0 (11:48, 2nd)

Michigan State's Jonathan Kim makes his third field goal of the evening (from 36 yards). Up to the Iowa's offense to respond now after a dismal first three drives.

End Q1: Michigan State 6, Iowa 0

It was far from a flawless first quarter for the Hawkeyes on either side of the ball. Michigan State has a 131-17 advantage in yardage.

MSU 6, Iowa 0 (0:06, 1st)

Iowa's offense again fails to do anything against this Michigan State defense. Drew Stevens attempts a 58-yard field goal. His kick had plenty of power, but it goes wide right. Would have been a career long for him.

MSU 6, Iowa 0 (1:06, 1st)

Koen Entringer gets his first career interception (during his first career start), setting up the Hawkeyes with excellent field position at the MSU 45-yard line.

INTERCEPTED 😤 @HawkeyeFootball #B1GFootball on NBC 📺 pic.twitter.com/IxxixMgjJl

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 20, 2024

MSU 6, Iowa 0 (4:03, 1st)

Iowa's offense goes three-and-out again. MSU has a 116-12 advantage in yardage right now.

MSU 6, Iowa 0 (5:58, 1st)

Michigan State has another productive drive, going 64 yards on nine plays before again settling for a field goal. The Spartan Stadium crowd wanted a defensive pass interference on Iowa's third-down stop, but no flag. 43-yard field goal for Jonathan Kim.

MSU 3, Iowa 0 (9:25, 1st)

Iowa goes three-and-out on its opening drive as Kaden Wetjen's nice 35-yard kick return goes for naught.

MSU 3, Iowa 0 (11:02, 1st)

Michigan State moves the ball well both in the air and on the ground on the first drive. But good pressure from Iowa's defensive line on a third-and-5 forces the Spartans to settle for a 42-yard field goal.

Early field goal gives MSU the lead

Jonathan Kim's 42-yard field goal after an eight-play, 52-yard drive put the Spartans on the board.

Michigan State averaged 11.5 yards on its first four plays, but the Iowa defense buckled down inside the 30. Aidan Chiles was forced to throw it away on third-and-4.

Michigan State 3, Iowa 0 (11:02 1st)

Hawkeyes win the toss. They defer. Michigan State will receive.

Iowa's Sebastian Castro questionable

Iowa defensive back Sebastian Castro is listed as questionable on the pregame availability report ahead of the Hawkeyes’ game against Michigan State.

Castro has been a mainstay at safety, starting in 19 of Iowa’s last 20 games. He has one interception, one forced fumble and one tackle for loss so far this season.

Castro is not the only starter to have an injury designation. Tight end Addison Ostrenga and offensive lineman Beau Stephens, as expected, are out.

Here is the full availability report for Iowa-Michigan State.

Iowa-Michigan State storylines

Must-read feature: After tribulations earlier in his career, Iowa’s Logan Jones boasts confidence as a third-year starting center

Analysis: 3 keys for the Hawkeyes, including establishing the ground game

Scouting report: Jordan Turner is back home with Michigan State, where he always wanted to be

Fun Facts: 20 points about the Iowa vs. Michigan State matchup

Deep dive: Why Iowa football has improved so much in third-down efficiency

Iowa-Michigan State predictions

Line: Iowa -5

Mike Hlas — Iowa 28, Michigan State 16

John Steppe — Iowa 27, Michigan State 14

Jeff Johnson — Iowa 28, Michigan State 13

Rob Gray — Iowa 24, Michigan State 13

Beth Malicki — Iowa 30, Michigan State 17

Todd Brommelkamp — Iowa 18, Michigan State 15

How to watch Iowa (4-2, 2-1) at Michigan State (3-3, 1-2)

Kickoff time: 6:30 p.m. (CT)

TV channel: NBC

Live stream: Peacock

TV announcers: Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network