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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

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    Just when it looked like this Iowa football team had plugged some key holes, a new wave of trouble arrived on Saturday night.

    The end product was a 32-20 dud at 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 all over the box. Here are five numbers that stand out in Iowa’s ugly loss.

    0…as Michigan State punted zero times, a first for an Iowa opponent since 2013

    It’s quite a staggering statistic when you consider the importance Iowa places on defensive disruption. Michigan State went up and down the field on the Hawkeyes with little resistance.

    The Spartans scored on eight of their 10 drives, minus the final kneel-down, including earning points on four straight possessions in the second half. The last time an Iowa opponent didn’t punt was Ohio State in 2013, a 34-24 Buckeyes victory.

    100…as in Iowa yielded 100 receiving yards to two Michigan State receivers, including a career day from Montorie Foster Jr.

    A banged-up Iowa secondary picked up an injury in the pregame with Sebastian Castro out, then picked up one in the game with safety Koen Entringer going down. Couple these issues with Iowa’s cornerback issues opposite Jermari Harris, and Michigan State found an easy route to success.

    Wide receiver Nick Marsh hauled in eight catches for 113 yards, while Montorie Foster Jr. scored 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 history Iowa’s defense isn’t used to helping.

    468…as Iowa gave up 468 total yards, 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 racked up 468 total yards, the most for any Iowa foe since Wisconsin had 473 yards in its 24-22 win on Nov. 9, 2019. In that game, NFL running back Jonathan Taylor ran for 250 yards.

    Michigan State split its production fairly evenly with 256 passing yards and 212 rushing yards. The Spartans ran 70 plays to Iowa’s 46 while piling up 305 yards alone. Not a winning formula for the Hawkeyes or anyone else.

    196…like Michigan State threw for 196 yards on first downs

    Overall, Chiles went 15-for-17 for 196 yards on first downs. The Spartans averaged 8.7 yards and also scored both touchdowns on first down.

    What does that mean? More evidence showing just how much Iowa caught up throughout Saturday. The Hawkeyes rarely kept Michigan State off the schedule with early upsets, leading to several extended scoring plays throughout the game.

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

    Johnson’s 75-yard scoring scamper kept Iowa afloat late as he complemented his incredible junior season with another highlight run.

    Overall, Johnson finished with 98 rushing yards on 14 carries as Iowa’s main source of offensive life. Not much was different for Johnson outside of the long run, but his visit to the end zone reminded everyone once again how special this running back is.

    Dargan Southard is a trending sportscaster, covering 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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