Recap: Turnovers, 70-yard punt return burn Spartans in loss at Iowa

After back-to-back humiliating losses, Michigan State seemed to have its best opportunity to give interim head coach Harlon Barnett his first win.

Despite playing against a backup quarterback, the Spartans gave up 16 unanswered points in the second half, including a 70-yard punt return touchdown with under four minutes left, and fell to Iowa, 26-16, Saturday night for their third straight loss.

It was a night to forget for the Michigan State offense, despite outgaining Iowa in total yards 349-222. The Spartans scored zero touchdowns, were forced to kick three field goals, and had four turnovers in yet another sloppy performance. Noah Kim had his worst performance as a starter, going 25-for-44 for 193 yards and three interceptions, including one in the end zone that led to five play, 80-yard touchdown drive for Iowa.

Iowa starting quarterback Cade McNamara went down on the second offensive drive of the game for the Hawkeyes and was ruled out for the rest of the game with a lower-body injury. Backup quarterback Deacon Hill took over, and while he didn't truly shine, he did just enough to keep Iowa in the game. But the biggest play came from cornerback Cooper DeJean, who took a line-drive punt 70 yards to the house and gave Iowa a 23-16 lead late in fourth quarter.

The good news for the Spartans? They'll have two weeks to get ready for the next game, as next week is their much-needed bye week before traveling to Rutgers on Oct. 14.

Spartans give up 16 unanswered points in second half, lose

With no timeouts, the Spartans are attempting the impossible in trying to comeback. Kim completes a fourth-and-8 pass for the first down, but the clock keeps running and the game ends on Kim throwing his third interception as Iowa and backup quarterback Deacon Hill leave Kinnick Stadium with a win over the Spartans. (End of game)

Iowa hits FG, Spartans down two possessions with time running out

Iowa takes over in MSU's 30, basically in field goal range. Williams runs for 13 yards in two plays for the first down, as Iowa's running game is gaining life at the most important time of the game. Williams keeps running for 5 more yards in two plays, forcing the Spartans to use their final two timeouts. Williams is stopped 2 yards short of the first down, but Iowa is now at the Spartans' 11-yard line and calls a timeout with 1:04 remaining ready to kick a field goal. The 29-yard field goal is halted by a false start penalty on Iowa, but kicker Drew Stevens still nails the 34-yard field goal to make it a two possession game, all but sealing the game for Iowa. (59 seconds remaining)

Mosley fumbles, Iowa takes over with over three minutes left

Kim rolls out and throws a pass out of bounds, then Kim finds Mosley who fumbles the ball and it's recovered by Iowa. Mosley goes down after the play and is seen limping off the field after two back-breaking plays for Michigan State in such short time. (3:29)

Spartans give up punt return TD with under four minutes left

Michigan State has over five minutes to set up a game winning drive. Kim throws it high on first down, then rolls out and finds Foster for 7 yards on second down. A false start penalty creates third-and-8 amidst a loud Iowa crowd, forcing the Spartans to take their first timeout with just over four minutes left. After the timeout, the Spartans commit another false start penalty as it's now third-and-13, and Kim leaves just a bit too high for Mosley to force a punt. Eckley makes a line-drive punt to DeJean who catches it at the Iowa 30, then runs it down the sideline for a punt return touchdown as Iowa takes the lead. (3:45)

Iowa kicks FG to tie it with over five minutes left

First down for Iowa at the Spartans' 38. Hall throws a screen pass to All who slips through Spartan defenders again for a 5-yard gain, then Williams gains 4 yards on the ground to create third-and-1, where Iowa shows the Spartans how a QB sneak actually works to keep the drive alive. An Iowa lineman is down on the field with an injury. The first play after the sneak is another drop by Vines, then a second down pass is batted down and called incomplete as Haladay couldn't haul it in, where a quick review would confirm the call on the field. Iowa decides to run it on third down, with Williams gaining 9 yards to make it fourth-and-one and two Spartan defenders down on the field after the play. Iowa decides to kick the field goal instead of going for it and ties the game. (5:19).

Michigan State starts the drive with a false start, as another handoff to Carter on first-and-15 makes it second-and-11. A swing pass to Henry helps the Spartans get the first down, then Carter gains a well-fought 2 yards on another first down run. Then in a rare instance, Carter slips behind the line and loses 2 yards to make it third-and-10, where Iowa's pressure yet again forces Kim to throw the ball away. Eckley finally shanks a punt, as it only goes 15 yards to give Iowa a big chance to flip the game in their favor. (7:54)

Hall throws another incomplete pass, then Moulton runs down the middle for just 2 yards on second down. The Spartans seemed to have locked down Iowa again, but cornerback Ade Willie got called for pass interference to keep the drive going for the Hawkeyes. Moulton gains a yard on first down, then Hill finally completes a pass to Nico Ragaini, and finally Iowa converts on third down as Hill finds Seth Anderson for an 11-yard reception. After another Moulton run for only a yard, Hill throws back-to-back incompletions, including a throw to Kaleb Brown that should have been caught. Henry fair catches the punt at MSU's 12. (10:39)

(Start of 4th Quarter) Kim completes a pass to Foster for just 2 yards, then has to throw the ball away as Iowa's defense yet again stalls Michigan State. Eckley shows off his strong leg again, pinning the Hawkeyes on their own 5-yard line. (14:05)

Spartans enter fourth quarter in tight game

Henry fair catches the ball at the MSU 23, and the last play of the quarter is Carter running for 3 yards. (End of 3rd Quarter)

Hill misses his target on both first and second down to force a quick third-and-10, then Hill goes high and out of bounds on his third straight incompletion as the Spartans force another quick punt. (15 seconds left)

Carter has had a great game, as he gains 8 yards on his first carry. Spartans ring up their cowbell running back again, as Carter gains another 9 yards for the first down, then gains 6 yards in the next two carries before Michigan State is called for a false start on third-and-4. The Spartans can't convert on third-and-9, and Kim's 50-yard attempt hits the right post, no good. (38 seconds remaining)

Terrell Washington Jr. starts the drive off for Iowa with a 3-yard rush, then Hill throws an incompletion. Iowa decides to run on third down and only gains 2 yards to the dismay of the Iowa crowd. The punt is short and bounces near the Spartans' own 49. (3:49)

Kim completes a pass to Glover on first-and-10 for 9 yards, then Kim runs it himself for an 8-yard gain. Brown then loses 8 yards on a run, Berger gains 4 yards on a second down run but the Iowa defense stifles Kim as he throws it away on third down to force a punt. Cooper DeJean fair catches it at Iowa's 10-yard line. (5:29)

Spartans force another turnover, can't take advantage

Hawkeyes start in the Spartans 30-yard line. Moulton gains a yard on a first down run, then Hill finds Stilianos for 3 yards, but the Spartans bring the pressure as Chester Kimbrough sacks Hill for a 9-yard loss. Drew Stevens hits the 53-yard field goal to cut the deficit in half. (7:38)

Spartans start at their own 21, but the drive start off poor with a Carter run for no gain and an incomplete pass from Kim. After a false start, the offense goes with a draw for Carter on third-and-15 and the play is under review to see if he got the first down or not. After review, Carter's knee was down one yard short of the first down marker, and the Spartans go for a QB sneak on fourth-and-one but we have another review to see if Kim is short of the marker or not. And yep, he is short, so Iowa takes over in good field position. (9:45)

Iowa's offense gets the ball back on their own 25 and immediately gets to work. Hill finds Stilianos for a 15-yard completion, then Moulton gains 13 yards in two rushes. Hill misses his target on first down, but Simeon Barrow Jr. is called for roughing the passer. The defense makes up for it immediately, as Angelo Grove cuts underneath a receiver's route perfectly for the interception, back-to-back turnovers for Michigan State. (11:13).

Haladay takes fumble back for TD

Well, well, how the turntables, as on the very next play, Williams has the ball punched out and it falls directly into Haladay's hands for the scoop-and-score touchdown as the Spartans take the lead. (13:08)

(Start of 3rd Quarter) Spartans start the third quarter with the ball on their own 25, as both McNamara and Carr will not return to the game. Carter starts off the drive with a 4-yard rush, then bounces outside on a second down run for a 10-yard gain and a first down. Kim's first down throw it batted down by Black, but bounces back with an on-the-run throw to Foster on the comeback route to move the chains. Kim goes for Foster again, but yet again misses and his pass is intercepted by Sebastian Castro for his second turnover of the night. (13:25)

MSU hits 58-yard FG, enter halftime facing 10-9 deficit

Kim can't connect on first-and-10, but finds Foster for a 16-yard completion as Michigan State takes their first timeout with 24 seconds left. Then the Spartans call a screen play for Carter that's immediately sniffed out by Iowa's Yahya Black for a 5-yard loss and another timeout. Kim is patient in the pocket and finds Foster near the sideline for a first down to stop the clock, then connects with Foster again but Foster is tackled in-bounds as Barnett has to call his final timeout with four seconds left. Jonathan Kim lines up to attempt a 58-yard field goal and he drills it. (End of 1st Half)

Iowa has one timeout and will start on their own 21-yard line. Williams takes a screen pass and shows great patience to still gain 5 yards despite the pressure from the returning Haladay. Hill can't connect with Vines on an incompletion that could have easily been an interception if a Spartan was within range. Third-and-5 is another drop by Vines that would've resulted in a first down. A quick three-and-out and Iowa punts to MSU just in front of their own 25-yard line. (43 seconds remaining)

The Spartans and Noah Kim look to bounce back after that back-breaking interception from their last drive. It starts off well as Kim finds Foster for 10 yards and a first down, but a pass to Jaylan Franklin loses a yard. Kim's next pass is incomplete, but the Spartans are called for holding and lose 10 yards. The call on second-and-21 is a run for Carter that gains just 2 yards, and a 3-yard reception to Christian Fitzpatrick leads to MSU punting the ball back to Iowa with just under two minutes remaining. (1:39)

Iowa takes lead after MSU red-zone INT

Iowa starts at their own 20. Hill finds a wide-open All for a big gain, then the Spartans are flagged for roughing the passer as the Hawkeyes only need one play to get to the Spartans' 33. Cal Haladay heads to the sidelines with an injury after the big first down play. Moulton gains 2 yards on first, then Hill connects with All again down the sideline for an impressive catch and a 17-yard gain. Moulton gains a yard on a first-and-10 run, then All slips through the Spartan defense on a tight end screen to stretch forward for the first touchdown of the game. (3:48)

Spartans start on their own 23, and rely on Jalen Berger for back-to-back 3-yard runs, then Kim connects with Mosley for 20 yards and a first down. After an incomplete pass from Kim, Carter runs for 4 yards, then Kim finally breaks a big run for himself, gaining 14 yards for another first down. Carter runs for 13 more yards as the Spartans find themselves in Iowa's 20. Kim overthrows Jaron Glover in the endzone and the pass is intercepted by Cooper DeJean for a touchback as Iowa catches a big break. (6:09)

Iowa's Max White returns the kickoff to the Hawkeyes' 22-yard line. Hill throws a quick pass to Vines for a 6-yard completion on first down, then Hill gets greedy and overthrows Hill as he had multiple options open instead. Hill then almost throws an interception to Malik Spencer who drops the ball as Iowa is now 0-for-4 on third down so far. (9:58)

Spartans settle for another FG, take lead

(Start of 2nd Quarter) Carter gains a yard on first-and-10 as Carr is walking on the sidelines with his helmet off. Kim dumps it down to Mosley for a 5-yard gain to make it third-and-4, as the offense tries to fool Iowa with a Kim keeper run but Kim is stopped 2 yards short. The Spartans go for it on fourth-and-2, but draw an offsides penalty to finally outsmart Iowa for a first down. Kim misses Henry on first-and-10, but finds Montorie Foster Jr. on a slant to gain 8 yards. Carter rumbles down the middle for 3 yards and the first down as the Spartans are driving on this Iowa defense. Kim goes for the endzone on first-and-10, but the pass is a little too high for backup tight end Jaylan Franklin, but Kim goes for another outside run to gain 5 yards on second down. Kim is forced to scramble out of a collapsing pocket for a third-and-5 incompletion, as the Spartans have to settle for a 32-yard field goal. (11:04)

Spartans and Hawkeyes trade punts, field goals

First-and-10 at MSU's 25 is, you guessed it, Kim finding Carr for a 9-yard completion as Carr loses his cleat and has goes to the sidelines. Carter goes forward for 5 yards as Carr enters the medical tent. Kim's first completion to someone not named Maliq Carr goes to Tre Mosley for 5 yards, and the last play of the quarter is a second-and-5 run for Carter that gains 13 yards. (End of 1st Quarter)

Iowa's offense will have to find some rhythm with backup QB Hill, but the Spartans tackle Williams behind the line again on first down for a 3-yard loss. Hill completes his first pass to Vines for 6 yards, and All slips on his route for an incomplete pass on third down as Iowa punts it back to Michigan State. (2:13)

McNamara leaves game with injury, Spartans pull even

First-and-10 is a run for Carter as he gains 10 yards for a first down. Kim finds Carr down the middle for a third time to move the chains, but there's a penalty for hands-to-the-face on Iowa to add 15 more yards as the Spartans are now in the redzone for the first time. Kim and Carr connect again for a 5-yard gain, then second-and-5 is a pitch to Carter but the Spartans are flagged for an illegal chop block that costs them 15 yards. Second-and-20 is a designed outside run for Kim that gains 6 yards as McNamara has to be carted off. On third-and-14, Carr takes the tight-end screen for 6 yards to set up a 31-yard field goal for Jonathan Kim, who evens the game up at 3 a piece. (3:48)

Hawkeyes begin their second drive in their own 3-yard line. Aaron Brule shoots the gap and tackles Williams for a 1-yard loss, then the defensive pressure has McNamara scramble for no gain, but the Iowa QB goes down and isn't getting back up. Replays show McNamara went down before he was tackled as the Iowa crowd goes silent. McNamara has to be carried off the field as Deacon Hill takes over, and on third-and-11 he sneaks forward to give punter Tory Taylor more room to breathe. The punt is taken by Henry for a short gain as MSU takes over on their own 43. (7:19)

Tyrell Henry returns the kickoff to the Spartans' 19-yard line. First-and-10 is an end-around to Alante Brown for a first down, but the next first down goes for no yards as Nathan Carter is stopped at the line. Noah Kim rolls left on second-and-10 and finds Maliq Carr for 5 yards. Third-and-5 results in Kim finding Carr again, this time three yards short of moving the chains. Michigan State punts but Ryan Eckley pins Iowa deep inside their own 5-yard line. (8:59)

McNamara starts hot, but Spartans hold Hawkeyes to FG

(Start of 1st Quarter) Iowa QB Cade McNamara's first completion goes to receiver Diante Vines for 23 yards, then finds Nico Ragaini for 14 yards as Iowa immediately settles into Spartan territory. McNamara completes his third pass in a row to Steven Stilianos for 9 more yards, then the first run for Iowa by Kamari Moulton gains 2 yards for a first down. Leshon Williams runs for 5 yards, but Iowa takes it's first timeout with 11:38 remaining in the first quarter as the play clock expires. Iowa comes out of the timeout in an empty backfield formation, but tight end Erick All drops the pass on second down, and McNamara misses his target on third-and-5 as Iowa settles for a 40-yard field goal. (11:25)

Kickoff

Saturday night under the lights. Michigan State going with the all-whites to combat Iowa's black and yellow uniforms. Michigan State kicks off as Iowa beings their first drive at their own 25.

Preview

Michigan State hits the road for the first time this season and will go up against Iowa under the lights at Kinnick Stadium.

Both the Spartans and the Hawkeyes are looking to bounce back from being blown out in their Big Ten openers. Michigan State lost, 31-9, at home to Maryland and Iowa was shut out against Penn State, 31-0, a loss that knocked Iowa from the the AP rankings.

Michigan State is still looking for its first win under interim head coach Harlon Barnett. Turnovers were the biggest problem in a sloppy loss against Maryland, as the Spartans gave the ball away five times. The Spartans have lost their two past games by a combined score of 72-16, with the defense giving up 1,075 total yards in both contests.

Noah Kim has struggled the past two games, completing 30 of his 63 passing attempts with one touchdown and three interceptions. Iowa's Cade McNamara hasn't fared much better, going 14-for-33 with two touchdowns and two interceptions in his past two starts.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Kameron Goodwill.

Michigan State at Iowa

▶ Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa

▶ TV: NBC/760 AM

▶ Line: Iowa by 12½

▶ Records: Michigan State 2-2, 0-1 Big Ten; Iowa 3-1, 0-1

▶ Series: Iowa leads 24-22-2 (Last meeting: Iowa 49-7, Nov. 7, 2020)