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3 burning questions looming over Iowa after loss to Michigan State

Updated Oct. 22, 2024, 4:23 a.m. by ETHAN PETRIK Iowa Hawkeyes Beat Reporter 1 min read

IOWA CITY Iowa fell to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Big Ten play with a 32-20 loss to Michigan State on Saturday.

With the Hawkeyes hopes of making the College Football Playoff surely squashed, Iowa fans came out of the loss with three questions looming large over the final five games of the 2024 season.

The Hawkeyes entered Saturdays game against the Spartans with the top rushing attack in the conference with 1,337 rushing yards in the first six games of the season.

Their 222.8 yards per game ranked 13 th in the nation.

Running back Kaleb Johnson led that charge with 937 yards and 12 touchdowns in the first half of the year.

However, on Saturday, Iowa managed 133 yards on the ground while finding the end zone twice against the Spartans.

Even after the strong showing against Iowa, Michigan State ranks outside the top 50 run defenses in the country at 53 rd (11 th in the Big Ten).

According to Johnson, the Spartans keyed in on the Hawkeyes ground game early on in Saturdays affair.

They were bringing safeties, they were bringing linebackers, Johnson said.

They were playing hard.

That is all you can say; give credit when it is due.

They were playing their butts off.

When asked if Michigan State did anything different than what Iowa expected, Johnson indicate the Spartans defense did little that surprised the Hawkeyes.

They just played hard, Johnson said.

They gave it their all and they earned what they had.

Johnson managed 98 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts in the loss but got 75 yards and the touchdown all in one play in the fourth quarter.

Iowa head coach Ferentz, after the game, also credited Michigan States defense for keeping the Iowa offense on its heels.

We could not get any traction, Ferentz said.

...

We could not get much started ...

There was not much that looked really good.

In the second half, we started getting a little traction and made a couple adjustments.

Even when we were getting within striking distance, they always had a response and an answer.

They made it tough for us.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Defensive back Sebastian Castro became a surprise addition to the Hawkeyes' availability report ahead of the game on Saturday when the program listed the All-American as questionable.

Castro ultimately missed the game with ankle injury.

According to Ferentz, Castro is not expected to miss extended time with the injury.

I expect him to play next week, Ferentz said.

...

He just tweaked his ankle.

I thought he might have chance today (Saturday), but he could not go yesterday (Friday).

I do not think it is anything long-term.

In addition to Castro, defensive back Koen Entringer sustained a hand injury in the second half that held him out for the remainder of the contest.

I think he is going to be OK, Ferentz said.

I do not think it's going to be career-ending by any stretch.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) throws a pass as offensive lineman Gennings Dunker, left, blocks during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Starting quarterback Cade McNamara struggled throughout Saturdays contest, going 3-for-9 with 30 yards in the first half and finishing 11-of-23 with 150 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The inefficiency in the passing game likely led to the situation that allowed Michigan State to key in on the run.

McNamara owned his struggles after the game.

"Overall, I think I need to play better, McNamara said.

At the end of the day as a quarterback, I have to play better in order for us to win and I didnt do that tonight.

Despite McNamaras struggles, Ferentz quelled any discussion of moving to backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan, who scored a rushing touchdown on Saturday, outside of the Northwestern transfers packages at the goal line.

(There was) no real discussion on making a switch, Ferentz said.

We did not do anything well enough to win today.

Cade missed some throws.

We are going to have to do better in a lot of areas.

We will go back to work tomorrow.

We will look at the film, see what it looks like, and proceed forward.

Playoff Hopes Rise & Playoffs Hopes Fall: Listen to the latest episode of the CyHawk Talk podcast Early whiffs, late mistakes crush Iowa in loss to Michigan State Five takeaways from Iowa's loss to Michigan State Michigan State football sends Iowa packing behind barrage of field goals Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara throws against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, left, and Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith talk before their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State's Jonathan Kim (97) kicks a field goal as Ryan Eckley holds against Iowa during Saturday's game in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara, right, hands off to running back Kaleb Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State defensive back Ed Woods, left, breaks up a pass intended for Iowa tight end Luke Lachey during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles, left, looks to throw against Iowa defensive lineman Deontae Craig (45) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) throws a pass as offensive lineman Gennings Dunker, left, blocks during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr.

(3) celebrates his touchdown as Iowa defensive back John Nestor, right, and Michigan State cheerleaders react during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, left, is tripped up by Michigan State defensive back Charles Brantley during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State running back Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams (15) runs against Iowa defensive back Zach Lutmer (6), linebacker Jay Higgins (34) and defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) as Michigan State tight end Brennan Parachek (82) trails during the second half Saturday night in East Lansing, Michigan.

Iowa quarterback Brendan Sullivan, center, running back Kaleb Johnson, left, and wide receiver Dayton Howard (7) celebrate Sullivan's touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State running back Nate Carter, left, is lifted by offensive lineman Stanton Ramil (65) as they celebrate Carter's touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State players celebrate following an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) gets past Iowa defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) stretches for the goal line during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State defensive back Angelo Grose (15) breaks up a pass intended for Iowa wide receiver Seth Anderson (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State running back Nate Carter (5) runs against Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State place kicker Jonathan Kim, right, is congratulated after kicking a field goal by Ryan Eckley during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles looks to throw against Iowa during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State running back Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams (15) runs against Iowa linebacker Kyler Fisher (37), left, and Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris (27), right, during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State defensive back Nikai Martinez (1) returns an interception during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State defensive back Nikai Martinez (1) celebrates his interception with teammates, including Michigan State defensive lineman D'Quan Douse (94) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz walks the sideline during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa wide receiver Kaden Wetjen returns a kick during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) throws a pass as offensive lineman Gennings Dunker, left, blocks during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa dropped to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Big Ten play with Saturday's loss to Michigan State.

See photos from the game.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara throws against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, left, and Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith talk before their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State's Jonathan Kim (97) kicks a field goal as Ryan Eckley holds against Iowa during Saturday's game in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara, right, hands off to running back Kaleb Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State defensive back Ed Woods, left, breaks up a pass intended for Iowa tight end Luke Lachey during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles, left, looks to throw against Iowa defensive lineman Deontae Craig (45) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) throws a pass as offensive lineman Gennings Dunker, left, blocks during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr.

(3) celebrates his touchdown as Iowa defensive back John Nestor, right, and Michigan State cheerleaders react during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, left, is tripped up by Michigan State defensive back Charles Brantley during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State players celebrate following an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) gets past Iowa defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) stretches for the goal line during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State defensive back Angelo Grose (15) breaks up a pass intended for Iowa wide receiver Seth Anderson (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State running back Nate Carter (5) runs against Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State place kicker Jonathan Kim, right, is congratulated after kicking a field goal by Ryan Eckley during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles looks to throw against Iowa during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State defensive back Nikai Martinez (1) returns an interception during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz walks the sideline during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa wide receiver Kaden Wetjen returns a kick during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) throws a pass as offensive lineman Gennings Dunker, left, blocks during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

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