EAST LANSING, Michigan – The University of Iowa football team was defeated by Michigan State, 32-20, on Saturday night at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans outgained the Hawkeyes 468-283.

Cade McNamara was 11-for-23 for 150 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Kaleb Johnson led the way on the ground with 98 yards on 14 attempts, including a 75-yard touchdown scamper. Johnson led the team in receiving with 49 yards on three receptions.

Reece Vander Zee pulled in a touchdown to go along with 47-yards receiving and Brendan Sullivan had a rushing touchdown.

Jay Higgins had 14 tackles (four solo) to lead the Iowa defense. Nick Jackson recorded 11 tackles (six solo) and a sack. Deonte Craig added a sack and Koen Entringer recorded an interception.

QUOTING KIRK FERENTZ

“Credit to Michigan State, they played an outstanding game and we clearly did not. Really didn’t play well in any phase of the game to expect to be victorious today. So credit to them. We don’t make any excuses at all in this thing. One thing about conference play, it’s a test every week and we didn’t pass this test. So we are going to have to get back up on our feet.

In a nutshell we didn’t play well enough. Offensively, in the first half we couldn’t really sustain much, didn’t get much going. Defensively, it looked like an uncharacteristic game. It has been quite a while since we played like that. Really weren’t sharp in any phase, and we didn’t tackle well. Essentially, it is just a bad combination. Came back in the second half and gave ourselves a chance to get back in it. But just couldn’t respond in a real positive way. Credit to them, they did a great job and deserved the win.

Probably the only positive thing I could say, outside of that I think our guys have good attitude and they work hard, is the kick return. Was a little bit of a surprise, I think Michigan State has only had four returns this year against them and they have done a really good job. I thought that unit did a good job and Wetjen gave us a little spark out there. But, it wasn’t enough so we will get back on our feet and go back to work tomorrow.”

PHOTOS

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Michigan State used an eight-play opening drive to cover 52 yards before converting on a 42-yard field goal.
• On their second drive of the game Michigan State went nine plays to go 64 yards before kicking a 43-yard field goal.
• Michigan State had their third field goal of the game in the second quarter. With 11:48 left in the first half the Spartans connected on a 36-yard field goal.
• The Spartans took a 12-0 lead with their fourth field goal off the foot of Jonathan Kim this time from 29 yards out. The score ended a nine play 69-yard drive.
• Iowa drove down the field on the opening drive of the second half to put seven points on the board. Cade McNamara connected with Reese Vander Zee for an 18-yard score to cap an eight play 58-yard drive.
• Michigan State responded with an 18-yard touchdown pass of their own. The score ended a nine play 75-yard drive that lasted 5:18.
• An eight play 69-yard drive culminated with a Brendan Sullivan 2-yard touchdown rush with 49 seconds left in the third quarter, as the Hawkeyes narrowed the Spartan lead to five.
• Jonathan Kim and the Spartans connected on their fifth field goal of the game from 55-yards out with 11:52 remaining in the game.
• Kim connected on his sixth field goal of the game this time from 46-yards out with 7:34 remaining in the game.
• Kaleb Johnson scored on Iowa’s next offensive play with a 75-yard touchdown rush. The two-point conversion was no good.
• A Spartan 1-yard touchdown rush with 2:03 left ended a nine play 75-yard drive put the game out of reach for the Hawkeyes.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• RB Kaleb Johnson finished with 98 yards on 14 attempts with one touchdown — a 75-yarder in the fourth quarter.
  • Johnson has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season. It was 13th touchdown of the season – the most by a Hawkeye since 2013 (Mark Weisman, 16).
  • His 75-yard rush is tied for the longest of his career and is tied for the 21st-longest in school history.
  • Johnson has 17 rushes of 20+ yards, including six TDs of 25+ yards.
• QB Cade McNamara completed 11-of-23 passes for 150 yards with one touchdown – an 18-yarder to Reece Vander Zee in the third quarter – and one interception.
  • It was his sixth passing touchdown of the season.
• QB Brendan Sullivan had a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter – his second rushing TD of the season and fifth of his career.
  • Sullivan is now 7-for-7 in scoring opportunities in the red zone – six touchdowns, one field goal.
• WR Reece Vander Zee had an 18-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. It was his third touchdown catch of the season – the first since Week 1.
• KR Kaden Wetjen had five kickoff returns for 145 yards – both career-bests. He had a career-long return of 39 yards in the second quarter.
• LB Jay Higgins (14) and LB Nick Jackson (11) both posted double-digit tackle games in the same game for the second straight game and for the fifth time in their careers (at Penn State, Michigan State, vs. Tennessee, Washington, at Michigan State).
  • It is Higgins fourth game with 10+ tackles this season and the 15th of his career. He has led or tied for the team lead in every game this season.
  • It is Jackson’s second consecutive 10+ tackle game this season and the 25th career double-digit tackle game.
    • Jackson moved into third place in FBS history in career tackles. He has 514 for his career.
  • DB Koen Entringer had a first-quarter interception — the first pick of career.
    • Entringer made his first career start in place of an injured Sebastian Castro.
  • OL Tyler Elsbury started at left guard.
    • It was the first time this season Iowa had a different starting five on the offensive line.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

• Iowa notched its eighth interception of the season – the team’s 12th forced turnover on the season.
• Michigan State did not punt in the game – a first by a Hawkeye opponent since Ohio State in 2013.
• Iowa won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. The Hawkeyes have played 322 games under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has opened the game on offense 235 times (150-85). The Hawkeyes have opened the game on defense 87 times (50-37).

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes return to action Oct. 26, hosting Northwestern on Homecoming inside Kinnick Stadium. The game will begin at 2:30 p.m. (CT) and be televised on BTN.