No. 18 Iowa 37, No. 5 Michigan State 6: Hawkeyes Lay Waste To Spartans’ Undefeated Record

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Iowa City, IA (Sports Network) - Ricky Stanzi threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns, as 18th-ranked Iowa throttled previously unbeaten Michigan State, 37-6, to continue its home dominance over the Spartans at Kinnick Stadium.

The Hawkeyes (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten), looked at as one of the preseason favorites to win the conference, suffered their first Big Ten loss a week ago in a one- point home defeat to Wisconsin. Coming out of the gate with a sense of purpose, Iowa scored 37 points on its home turf before fifth-ranked Michigan State could crack the scoreboard.

The Spartans (8-1, 4-1) came in as the only undefeated team in the conference but instead looked like one of the bottom-feeders. With the loss, the Big Ten standings are a bit jumbled, as four teams have only one loss.

Adam Robinson added two touchdowns -- one rushing and one receiving -- for Iowa, which took full advantage of three turnovers. Its defense also got onto the scoreboard when Micah Hyde took a lateral from Tyler Sash off an interception and went 66 yards for a touchdown.

Kirk Cousins, playing in front of his Iowa season ticket-holding grandparents, couldn’t give the Spartans their first win in Iowa City since 1989 after throwing three interceptions. He completed 21-of-29 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

Iowa moved 80 yards down the field on its opening drive to take the lead for good.

Stanzi needed to convert only one third down on the series, finishing the 12- play set on a three-yard toss to Colin Sandeman 6:12 into the contest.

Michigan State went three-and-out on its first touch, and Michael Meyer added a 37-yard field goal for Iowa a short time later. The Hawkeyes then expanded their lead on defense.

Cousins drove the Spartans into Hawkeyes territory before lofting up a soft pass toward the sideline that Sash snagged. Sensing he would be tackled, Sash tossed the ball back to Hyde, who was able to go across the field while avoiding defenders before diving inside the left pylon for a 66-yard touchdown return and a 17-0 lead.

Shaun Prater intercepted another Cousins pass early in the second quarter and returned it 42 yards to the MSU 43. Three plays later, Stanzi hit Robinson from 32 yards away for another touchdown and a 23-point cushion.

Before the end of the half, Robinson added a two-yard touchdown run with about a minute to go for a 30-0 halftime margin.

Iowa kept pouring it on in the second half with Stanzi’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Marvin McNutt midway through the third, but Michigan State finally cracked the scoreboard on the first play of the fourth quarter when Cousins hit B.J. Cunningham from six yards out.

Michigan State has lost seven straight times on the road against Iowa...The Spartans had scored at least 26 points in every game this season...The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series, 22-18-2, and have won four of the last five...Sash recorded his 13th career interception for Iowa.