Iowa
Iowa football: 5 numbers that stood out in Hawkeyes’ 32-20 loss vs Michigan State
Video: Kirk Ferentz reacts to Iowa’s loss to Michigan State
Head coach Kirk Ferentz discusses Iowa’s loss to Michigan State.
Just when it seemed this Iowa football team had patched up several important holes, another wave of problems arrived Saturday night.
The final 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 banged-up secondary time and time again and had two 100-yard receivers to tout afterward.
Per usual, there were noteworthy numbers all over the box score. Here are five figures that stand out from Iowa’s ugly loss.
0…as in Michigan State punted zero times, a first for an Iowa opponent since 2013
It’s quite the baffling stat considering how much 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 consecutive possessions in the second half. The last time an Iowa opponent didn’t punt was Ohio State in 2013, a 34-24 Buckeyes win.
100…as in Iowa yielded 100 receiving yards to two Michigan State wide receivers, including a career day from Montorie Foster Jr.
A banged-up Iowa secondary took an injury hit pregame with Sebastian Castro out, then took one in-game with safety Koen Entringer going down. Couple those issues with Iowa’s cornerback problems 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. racked up 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 aiding.
468…as in Iowa surrendered 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 rolled up 468 total yards, the most for any Iowa foe since Wisconsin had 473 total yards in its 24-22 win on Nov. 9, 2019. That game featured NFL running back Jonathan Taylor scampering for 250 yards.
Michigan State split its production pretty evenly with 256 passing yards and 212 rushing yards. The Spartans ran 70 plays to Iowa’s 46 while piling up 305 yards on first down alone. Not a winning formula for the Hawkeyes or anyone else.
196…as in Michigan State threw for 196 yards on first downs
Overall, Chiles was 15-for-17 for 196 yards on first downs. The Spartans averaged 8.7 yards and scored both of their touchdowns on first down as well.
What does that mean? More evidence showing how much Iowa played catch-up the entire way Saturday. The Hawkeyes rarely kept Michigan State off schedule with early-down disruptions, thus leading to several lengthy scoring drives throughout the game.
6…as in Kaleb Johnson now has six touchdowns of 25-plus yards this season
Johnson’s 75-yard scoring scamper kept Iowa afloat late as he added to 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. There wasn’t much else for Johnson outside the long run, but his end-zone visit again reminded everyone how special this running back is.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
An Iowa women’s basketball transfer portal visitor committed to one of the Hawkeyes’ conference foes instead. Former Iowa State guard Kenzie Hare took a visit to Iowa during her transfer portal recruitment, but the 5-foot-9 guard committed to Indiana on Sunday night.
Hare had several visits throughout her transfer portal recruiting process, including trips to Michigan and Illinois State, but the Des Moines Register’s Chad Leistikow reported that Hare also visited Iowa.
On3’s Talia Goodman reported Hare’s commitment to the Hoosiers.
Hare has one year of eligibility remaining. This past season with the Cyclones, in 32 games played and 31 starts, Hare averaged 6.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game on 40.5% field goal shooting and 40% from 3-point range. A hip injury limited Hare to just 10 games during her first year with the Cyclones in the 2024-25 season.
The soon-to-be redshirt senior transferred to Iowa State before the 2024-25 campaign after spending two seasons at Marquette from 2022-24. Hare averaged a career-best 14 points per game on 45.5% field goal shooting and 42.5% 3-point shooting during the 2023-24 season with the Golden Eagles.
Had Iowa been able to lure the Naperville, Ill., native to Iowa City, Hare would have been another valuable addition to the Hawkeyes’ backcourt depth. But, Iowa has landed other backcourt reinforcements throughout this transfer portal cycle.
The Hawkeyes inked both Dani Carnegie and Amari Whiting.
Carnegie was a first-team All-SEC selection this past season at Georgia, averaging 17.8 points per game on 42.7% field goal shooting, 35.4% from 3-point range and 83.3% from the free-throw line. Whiting averaged 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game on 42.5% field goal shooting, 32.1% 3-point accuracy, and 71.6% free-throw shooting.
As Hare joins a promising core of players in Bloomington, the Hawkeyes will once again face the former Cyclone at least once this upcoming season as part of their Big Ten regular-season slate.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Senator Chuck Grassley said he’s recovering from a gallstone removal procedure.
His media team shared that he is working in Iowa “in good spirits and looks forward to returning to Washington soon.”
“I’m gr8ful [sic] for the excellent care from local health care providers,” he shared on X.
Over the weekend in Iowa I had a procedure to remove gallstones I’m gr8ful for the excellent care from local health care providers Be back to capitol ASAP
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 20, 2026
Grassley, 92, is the oldest senator currently in office and the sixth-longest-serving senator in U.S. history.
The Senate is in session this week.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Former Iowa State center Audi Crooks has committed to Oklahoma State via the NCAA Transfer Portal. She has one season of eligibility remaining.
Crooks made 99 appearances and 95 starts during her three seasons at Iowa State. She averaged 25.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game this past season, while shooting 64.9% from the field. Additionally, the 6-foot-3 star shot 1-11 from 3-point range.
Crooks played a leading role for the Cyclones from the moment she stepped on campus. She is a three-time All-Big 12 First-Team selection and two-time All-American. On April 2, Crooks announced her intention to enter the transfer portal.
“Cyclone Nation, thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day. I’ve met so many of you out in the community, and I will cherish all of the genuine connections that I’ve built during my time at Iowa State,” Crooks wrote. “Words cannot fully express how grateful I feel to have called this place home.
“I want to thank my teammates for their friendship and all the great memories. … I still believe the grass is greener where you water it, and I’ve done that here.”
Now, Audi Crooks will aim to thrive in her new environment. Oklahoma finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-10 overall record.
The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened on April 6 and closes on April 20. The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the women’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes don’t have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
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