Jonathan Kim scored a school-record six field goals and Aidan Chiles threw for 256 yards and a touchdown to lead Michigan State to a 32-20 victory over Iowa on Saturday night.
Chiles also ran for 51 yards for the Spartans (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten), who snapped a three-game losing streak.
“It’s a big win,” said Chiles, who completed 22 of 30 passes. “As I said in my interview last week, it’s a new season for us. So it was great to start 1-0, and now we’re trying to get to 2-0. Very simple, just keep piling it up every day .” day and week after week.”
Kaleb Johnson, who entered as the nation’s No. 2 rusher, was held to 98 yards on 14 carries for the Hawkeyes (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten).
Cade McNamara capped a 58-yard drive early in the second half with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Reese Vander Zee, bringing the Hawkeyes within 12-7.
The Spartans responded on the next drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Chiles to Montorie Foster Jr., putting them ahead 19–7.
Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan then answered for Iowa with a 2-yard touchdown run with 49 seconds left in the third quarter.
Kim’s 55- and 46-yard field goals in the fourth quarter gave Michigan State a 25-14 lead with 7:34 remaining. Kim’s kicks eclipsed the record five field goals set by former Spartans Paul Edinger and John Langeloh.
“I’m just happy to go out there and help this team win,” said Kim, who has made 15 of 16 field goals this season. “It’s an honor to set that record.”
Johnson cut the deficit to 25-20 just 12 seconds later when he broke free on a 75-yard touchdown run. The Spartans sealed the victory with a 1-yard score run by Nate Carter with 2:03 remaining.
“They pressured us the entire second half and got within one score a few times,” Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said. “And the response from this group has been tremendous.”
Michigan State dominated Iowa in the first half by jumping out to a 12-0 lead. Kim hit field goals from 42 and 43 yards in the first quarter and then from 36 and 29 yards in the second quarter. He missed a 55-yarder at the end of the half.
The Hawkeyes were outscored 250-58 in the first half, including just 28 yards rushing.
“I just think overall we play better when we have some rhythm and we couldn’t do that,” McNamara said. “We couldn’t find a rhythm. It was a lack of execution I think in the first half.
“Overall, I think I just have to play better. Ultimately, as a quarterback, I have to play better to win. And I didn’t do that tonight.”
Iowa: The Hawkeyes continued to struggle with their passing game, throwing for just 150 yards. Iowa came into the game ranked 127th out of 133 FBS teams. Held to 3 of 9 passing for 30 yards in the first half, McNamara finished with 11 of 23 completions for 150 yards and an interception.
Michigan State: The Spartans, coming off a bye, put in their best performance of the season in all phases of the game. The defense was able to contain Johnson for most of the game, the offense was able to move the ball against Iowa’s stout defense and Kim connected on six of seven field goal attempts.
“I think we’re still a lot better than what we showed today,” Chiles said. “We did a great job getting to that red zone, but we have to finish now. Kim can make his kicks, but we also want to get into the end zone.”
NEXT
Iowa hosts Northwestern on Saturday.
Michigan State travels to Michigan on Saturday.
