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    • 5 numbers that explain the Hawkeyes’ loss to Michigan State
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    5 numbers that explain the Hawkeyes’ loss to Michigan State

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

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    Just when it seemed like this Iowa football team had filled several key holes, another wave of problems arrived on Saturday night.

    The end result was a 32-20 win over Michigan State, a game in which the Hawkeyes struggled offensively but played even worse defensively. MSU quarterback Aidan Chiles torched Iowa’s broken secondary time and time again and then had two 100-yard receivers to tout.

    As usual, there were notable numbers throughout the box score. Here are five numbers that stand out from Iowa’s ugly loss.

    0…since Michigan State was tripped zero times, a first for an Iowa opponent since 2013

    That’s a pretty confusing statistic considering how much emphasis Iowa places on defensive disruption. Michigan State paced the Hawkeyes’ field without much resistance.

    The Spartans scored on eight of their 10 drives, minus the final kneel-down, and also put up points on four consecutive possessions in the second half. The last time an Iowa opponent failed to punt was Ohio State in 2013, a 34-24 win for the Buckeyes.

    100…like Iowa yielded 100 receiving yards for two Michigan State wide receivers, including a career day from Montorie Foster Jr.

    A struggling Iowa secondary suffered an injury blow before the game when Sebastian Castro was sidelined, then suffered another in the game when safety Koen Entringer went down. Combine those issues with Iowa’s cornerback issues against Jermari Harris, and Michigan State found an easy path to success.

    Wide receiver Nick Marsh had eight catches for 113 yards, while Montorie Foster Jr. had five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. His 18-yard score put the Hawkeyes in a 19-7 hole late in the third quarter after Iowa finally found the end zone.

    It was the first 100-yard game of Foster’s career, which dates back to the 2020 season. That’s the kind of story Iowa’s defense isn’t used to supporting.

    468…like Iowa, 468 total yards were given up, the most since Wisconsin in 2019

    Iowa’s impressive streak of not allowing 400 total yards ended two games ago at Ohio State. Now the Hawkeyes have done it again.

    Michigan State totaled 468 yards, more than any Iowa opponent since Wisconsin totaled 473 yards in its 24-22 win on Nov. 9, 2019. In that game, NFL running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for 250 yards.

    Michigan State split its production pretty evenly with 256 passing yards and 212 rushing yards. The Spartans ran 70 plays, Iowa totaled 46, while gaining 305 yards on first down alone. Not a winning formula for the Hawkeyes or anyone else.

    196…like at Michigan State, he threw for 196 yards on first downs

    Overall, Chiles was 15 of 17 for 196 yards on first downs. The Spartans averaged 8.7 yards and scored both touchdowns on first down as well.

    What does that mean? Further evidence of how much catch-up Iowa made throughout Saturday. The Hawkeyes rarely kept Michigan State off schedule through early stoppages, which led to several long shots on goal during the game.

    6…like Kaleb Johnson now has six touchdowns of more than 25 yards this season

    Johnson’s 75-yard score kept Iowa afloat late into the night as he continued his incredible junior season with another highlight-reel run.

    Overall, Johnson finished the game with 98 rushing yards on 14 carries, making him Iowa’s primary offensive force. Aside from the long run, there wasn’t much else for Johnson, but his visit to the end zone reminded everyone again how special this running back is.

    Dargan Southard is a sports trends reporter who covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.

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    Caradoc Wyn
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