Junior wide receiver Keith Nichol stiff arms Iowa defensive back Tyler Sash on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nichol had one reception for three yards in the Spartans’ 37-6 loss to the Hawkeyes.
With recent matchups between MSU and Iowa being dominated by physical play, it seemed the team that rushed for more yards last Saturday would significantly better its chances of winning.
But the No. 16 Spartans were able to only generate 31 rushing yards as No. 15 Iowa’s front four proved to be one of the best fronts in the nation in the 37-6 Hawkeyes’ win.
Iowa often got multiple players to the ball, leaving MSU running backs Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell with nowhere to run and forcing MSU to pass 39 times.
“I think compared to the teams we have played against, Iowa has the best front four,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said after the game. “They are a well-coached football team and they didn’t beat themselves and we beat ourselves.”
MSU’s running game generated at least 175 rushing yards in each of the first six games, but against Illinois, Northwestern and Iowa, it only has produced 93, 105 and 31 yards, respectively.
The Spartans’ longest run Saturday was an 11-yard misdirection play by redshirt freshman wide receiver Bennie Fowler. And although MSU ran 20 times, no player finished with more than 21 rushing yards.
That, coupled with the Spartans falling behind early, forced junior quarterback Kirk Cousins to pass more, and he made some uncharacteristic mistakes that led to Iowa points.
“We knew they were a very, very physical team and we wanted to get some seams in there and get the ball off to some of our playmakers,” offensive coordinator Don Treadwell said. “(We were) just trying to get off some quick throws. … All in all, you have to continue to make the plays.”
Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten in rush defense, allowing 84.5 yards per game, and hadn’t allowed a rushing touchdown through the first five games of the season. After rushing for 175 and 249 yards, respectively, in wins against Wisconsin and Michigan earlier in the season, MSU’s offensive line looks to regroup this week.
MSU needs better rushing production if it wants to win a Big Ten championship, but fortunately for the Spartans, their next three opponents all rank in the lower half of the conference in rush defense.
Tackling issues
Early in Saturday’s game, MSU uncharacteristically missed tackles that helped Iowa extend drives.
Iowa running back Adam Robinson, who finished with 69 rushing yards and a touchdown, made MSU tacklers miss all afternoon. On a few receiving plays, the Spartans didn’t tackle with the precision needed.
“We had a great week of practice, but Iowa was the better football team today,” MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said. “We’ve got to get a little bit more hungry.”
Penalties continue
MSU took seven penalties for 63 yards, many of which helped extend Iowa drives. The Spartans are the most penalized team in the Big Ten, with 66 penalties for 604 yards on
the season.
Plays like MSU senior safety Marcus Hyde’s late-hit penalty after Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi’s 26-yard scramble in the first quarter put MSU in a bind, but with a week to prepare for Saturday’s game against Minnesota, the Spartans hope to fix those.
“Nobody likes to come in and play like this or coach like this,” Dantonio said about the loss. “We will find out about ourselves next week.”
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