There were a few misses after halftime, between the game's only positive drive from Iowa QB Cade McNamara to open the third quarter and Johnson's 75-yard TD run that tied the game late. But the Spartans held Johnson to just 23 yards on his other 13 carries and stifled the Hawkeyes to 283 yards by forcing McNamara to try to beat them — something he also failed to do during his time at Michigan in 2021.

Credit to MSU's front four for neutralizing Iowa's offensive line, allowing second- and third-level defenders to punish Johnson and the other Iowa rushers with hit after hit. The Hawkeyes averaged just 2.6 yards per carry and McNamara averaged just 6.5 yards per pass attempt and 13.6 yards per completion.

Special Teams: B

From Jonathan Kim's school-record six field goals, the four in the first half proved crucial to the win as MSU's offense continually faltered in Iowa territory. He missed his first shot of the season from 55 yards at the end of the first half, but he made up for it by making a 55-yard throw early in the fourth quarter and then breaking his 46-yard record. Kim and MSU's offense essentially gave Ryan Eckley an off night; He didn't punt, but saved all seven of Kim's field goal attempts and his two PATs. One area of ​​concern, however, was Kim's kickoffs – Iowa got back into the game with two return-assisted touchdown drives that gave the Hawkeyes the ball at their own 42 and 31, respectively.