Oct. 13, 2012
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October 13, 2012
Iowa defeated Michigan State, 19-16, in double-overtime at Spartan Stadium. PK Mike Meyer converted field goals in each overtime period and CB Greg Castillo recorded an interception in the second overtime period to seal the win. Today was Iowa’s first true road game of the season.
Today’s win is No. 100 for head coach Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. He is now 100-68 as the Hawkeye head coach and 112-89 in his career.
Iowa is now 5-3 in overtime games. This is the second time the Hawkeyes and Spartans have played an overtime game. Iowa won a 34-27, double-overtime contest in Iowa City on Oct. 27, 2007. That game was also Iowa’s last overtime win.
Iowa’s last three games against Michigan State in East Lansing have been decided by three points. The Hawkeyes won on the final play of the game in 2009 when Ricky Stanzi connected with Marvin McNutt for the game winning touchdown. Michigan State won 16-13 in 2008.
Iowa now leads the all-time series 23-19-2. Iowa is 10-10-1 in games played at East Lansing.
Castillo’s interception on the final play of the game was the only turnover forced by the Iowa defense. The Hawkeye defense has collected at least one takeaway in 70 of its last 80 games, dating back to 2006. Iowa had one turnover today (one interception). The Spartans converted the turnover into a touchdown.
PTS OFF TURNS
MSU 7 pts
IOWA 0 pts
PK Mike Meyer, who entered today’s game ranked fourth nationally in field goals made per game, tied a career-best by converting four field goal attempts. He improved to 14-of-15 this season, making his last 13 tries and 42-of-52 for his career in field goal attempts. Meyer now has 213 points, ranking ninth in career scoring.
Meyer also converted his only PAT attempt on the day, extending his school record streak to 68.
Mark Weisman led Iowa in rushing for the fourth consecutive contest, rushing for 116 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown. Weisman has gone over 100 yards in four straight games. The sophomore has totaled 635 yards rushing on 100 carries this season.
Iowa was 3-3 in the red zone today, scoring field goals in the second and fourth quarters, along with the game-tying touchdown in the final period. The Hawkeyes have scored on 165 of the last 186 red zone possessions (109 TDs and 56 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa is 146-167 combined inside the red zone its last 48 games. Michigan State was 3-3 in the red zone today, scoring a TD in the first period and field goals in the second and fourth periods.
MSU 3-3 (1 TD, 2 FG)
IOWA 3-3 (1 TD, 2 FG)
QB James Vandenberg was 19-36 for 134 yards. He has completed 396-694 pass attempts for 4,661 yards and 30 touchdowns in his career. He ranks seventh on Iowa’s career passing chart.
Linebackers Anthony Hitchens (15 tackles) and James Morris (10 tackles) and lineman Joe Gaglione (11 tackles) led the Hawkeyes in tackles today. Morris has registered double-digit tackles four times this year, while Hitchens has been credited with double-digit stops the last five games. DL Joe Gaglione recorded his team-leading fourth sack of the season in the first quarter. His nine tackles are a career-high.
Connor Kornbrath punted a career-high six times for 243 yards (40.5 avg.) today, including a long of 50 yards in the third quarter. The 50-yarder is his second-longest punt of the season (51 yards vs. Northern Illinois).
Jordan Cotton had a 45-yard kickoff return in the second quarter, which helped lead to an Iowa field goal. The kickoff return was the longest of his career and the longest by a Hawkeye this season. The 45-yard return is Iowa’s longest since Jordan Bernstine’s 62-yard return against Indiana a year ago.
QB James Vandenberg was intercepted in Iowa territory on Iowa’s first possession, marking the first time the Hawkeyes failed to score on an opening drive this season. Michigan State drove 26 yards on its opening possession and scored a touchdown. The Spartans are the fourth Hawkeye opponent to score on their opening possession this season (Iowa State, Central Michigan, UNI and Michigan State).
Today marked the first time since the season opener that the Hawkeye offensive line has allowed a sack. Michigan State’s Kyler Elsworth tallied one sack in the contest.
Iowa won the toss and elected to receive. The Hawkeyes have started on offense four times (Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Minnesota and Michigan State). The Hawkeyes have started on offense in 139-of-168 games. Iowa is 16-13 in the games it has started on defense under Ferentz.
Andrew Donnal started at right guard for the second consecutive game in place of the injured Austin Blythe. It marked Donnal’s second career start.
TE Jake Duzey had his first career reception (11 yards) in the third quarter. He finished the game with two catches for 14 yards.
RB Damon Bullock, who started the first three games, and CB B.J. Lowrey, who started the first four contests, did not play in today’s game due to injury.
Instant replay was used three times today.
- A James Vandenberg pass that was ruled backwards on the field was overturned after replay in the second quarter.
- Iowa challenged a Michigan State third-down pass that was ruled a catch. The ruling was upheld following review.
- Michigan State challenged the spot of the ball in the fourth quarter. After review, it was determined that the ball would be spotted on the 35-yard line instead of the 36-yard line.
Iowa is now 9-5 during the Ferentz era in games when it has rained.
Iowa returns to Iowa City next week for a home game against Penn State in primetime. The Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions will kick-off at 7 p.m. (BTN) inside Kinnick Stadium.