Iowa 20, Michigan State 17
A punt return spark, a fourth quarter surge, and a walk off kick at Kinnick
Iowa needed a lift early on Saturday and the Hawkeyes found it in the most Iowa way possible. With 3:38 left in the first quarter, Michigan State punted from deep in its own territory. The kick traveled 48 yards to the Iowa 38 where Kaden Wetjen fielded it cleanly, exploded through the first lane, and never slowed down. He weaved past the final defender and finished off a 62 yard punt return touchdown that ignited the Kinnick crowd and gave Iowa a 7 to 0 lead. It was the perfect start for a team that has leaned heavily on special teams all season.
Michigan State settled in during the second quarter and put together a steady drive that stalled inside the Iowa red zone. That set up a 27 yard field goal by Gavin McClinton that cut the Hawkeye lead to 7 to 3. Iowa’s offense could not find a rhythm in the first half, and the Spartans slowly gained confidence as the game tightened.
The third quarter belonged to Michigan State. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic connected with receiver Chrishon McCray for a 45 yard touchdown at the 8:08 mark. It was a deep shot down the right sideline where McCray won inside leverage and outran the coverage. After a successful extra point, Michigan State went up 10 to 7. The Spartans struck again late in the quarter when Milivojevic found McCray on a short 5 yard touchdown pass with 1:03 left. That capped a methodical 11 play drive and pushed the lead to 17 to 7 heading into the fourth.
Iowa needed a spark and found it on special teams again. Wetjen ripped off a long return to set up the drive that brought the Hawkeyes back to life. Drew Stevens converted a 26 yard field goal with 11:07 remaining to bring the score to 17 to 10. Iowa’s defense tightened at the right time. Michigan State’s next possessions went nowhere as the Hawkeyes controlled the line of scrimmage and forced Milivojevic into quick throws.
With the game slipping away, quarterback Mark Gronowski delivered the drive Iowa had been waiting for. The Hawkeyes marched 53 yards in five plays and Gronowski fired a precise 13 yard touchdown pass to Jacob Gill at 3:29. The extra point tied the game 17 to 17 and the stadium came alive again.
Michigan State got the ball back but never threatened. Iowa’s defense forced a stop and returned possession to the offense with a chance to win it. Gronowski and the offense did enough to move the ball to the Michigan State 22 yard line, setting up the final moment of the day. Stevens trotted out with the crowd holding its breath. His 40 yard kick split the uprights with no time left on the clock. Iowa completed a 13 point fourth quarter comeback to win 20 to 17 on Senior Day.
It was not the cleanest performance, but it was a signature Iowa finish. Special teams made the difference. The defense closed the door when the game was on the line. The offense found answers when it absolutely had to. That combination has carried Iowa through many November games and it delivered again.
Next up
Iowa heads to Lincoln for the regular season finale against Nebraska on Thursday, November 28 at 11 a.m. on CBS. It is the Black Friday rivalry, a physical matchup every year, and Iowa enters favored by 5.5 points with an over under of 38.5.
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