Oct. 4, 2008
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With MSU’s win over Iowa, the home team has won the last nine meetings in the series. Iowa holds a 20-18-2 advantage in the series, with MSU holding a 10-8-1 advantage in East Lansing.
Iowa is now 3-3 on the season, with the three consecutive losses coming by a combined total of nine points. That includes a 20-21 loss at Pittsburgh, a 22-17 home loss to Northwestern and today’s 16-13 decision.
Iowa started the game on offense, as the Hawkeyes won the toss and elected to receive. Iowa has started on offense in 98 of its last 110 contests, including all six games this season. The Hawkeyes have started the game on offense in 100-of-116 games under Kirk Ferentz.
Iowa failed to score on its first possession of the game, marking the third time in six contests the Hawkeyes did not score on their initial drive. Iowa scored three points on its first possession against Iowa State. Iowa tallied touchdowns vs. Maine and FIU in its first two games. In each of its last two games, Iowa has driven inside the opponent 25-yardline on its opening drive, only to lose possession on a fumble.
Michigan State failed to score on its opening possession. All six Iowa opponents (Maine, FIU, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern and Michigan State) failed to score on their opening drives this season.
Iowa had just one change in its starting line-up from last week vs. Northwestern, as safety Tyler Sash returned to action after missing last week.
Michigan State scored on its second drive of the game, marking the first time in six games Iowa has not scored first. Iowa led 7-0 in two games and 3-0 in three games over the first five games of the year. The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 44-14 in the first period, through six games.
Iowa was guilty of three turnovers in the first half, two inside the MSU 20-yardline and the third inside the Iowa 20. Iowa lost a fumble in its initial drive of the game and lost possession on an interception early in the second period. The third turnover was a lost fumble on a QB sack. Iowa was guilty of five turnovers in a 22-17 loss to Northwestern on Sept. 27.
Instant replay was used once in the first quarter, once in the second and once in the fourth. The call of an incomplete pass by Michigan State was upheld as called on the field in the first period. In the second period , the call on the field of an MSU pass completion was also upheld. In the fourth period, a play that was ruled an Iowa touchdown reception was also upheld.
In the redzone, Iowa was 2-4 with a lost fumble, an interception and two made field goals. MSU was 4-4 with a passing TD and three field goals. Iowa opponents are 7-11 on field goal attempts this season.
MSU scored six points following three Iowa turnovers, all in the first half. Iowa scored a touchdown following MSU’s only turnover, a fourth period interception.
PK Trent Mossbrucker has made at least one field goal in five of Iowa’s first six contests. He converted from 25 and 33 yard today. Mossbrucker has made eight-of-nine field goal attempts, with the only miss being blocked vs. Florida International.
Senior DL Matt Kroul started his 43rd consecutive game today, a streak that ties for second-best in the Big Ten with Purdue’s OL Sean Sester. Kroul was credited with eight tackles against the Spartans.
Senior DT Mitch King was credited with seven tackles, bringing his career total to 200.
Junior RB Shonn Greene topped 100 yards rushing for the sixth-straight game, rushing 30 times for 157 yards. This marks the seventh 100-yard rushing game of his career. The 30 attempts are a career high and bring his season totals to 129 attempts for 822 yards. His career totals stand at 198 attempts for 1,200 yards. He ranks 27th in career rushing yards.
The last time Iowa had a 100-yard rusher in six-consecutive games was the last six games of the 2005 campaign. RB Albert Young rushed for 165 yards at Purdue (Oct. 8), 125 yards vs. Indiana (Oct. 15), 153 yards vs. Michigan (Oct. 22), 202 yards at Northwestern (Nov. 5), 127 yards at Wisconsin (Nov. 12) and 103 yards vs. Minnesota (Nov. 19).
WR Andy Brodell caught five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. He had a 31-yard TD reception in the fourth period, his second score in two weeks. Brodell has 78 career catches for 1,114 yards, ranking 29th in career receiving yards.
Sophomore QB Ricky Stanzi started for the second straight week and the fourth time in six games. He completed 15-22 attempts for 158 yards and a touchdown, with one interception.
The Hawkeyes collected one takeaway (one interception) today. Iowa has recorded at least one takeaway in 26 of its last 28 games, dating back to the 2006 season. Iowa converted a 31-yard touchdown pass after the theft. Iowa has scored 27 points following 12 opponent turnovers in six games.
LB Pat Angerer collected a career-high 11 tackles for the second straight week.
Iowa travels to Indiana next Saturday. Kick-off is slated for 11:05 a.m. (CT). The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Iowa returns home to host Wisconsin on Oct. 18.