2009 Week 7

For whatever reason, the Michigan State Spartans have a hard time getting over the hump. They came into their matchup against #25 Iowa ranked 20th in the Nation, and that's as high as the team has gotten. Per the course, the Spartans lost 45-34 today to the Hawkeyes, probably dropping them out of the top 25 back into the 26-30 range where they always seem to belong.

It was a very crazy game, as the third quarter was all back and forth. With the Hawkeyes up 14-13, the Spartans forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to start the third quarter on Iowa's first drive. On the proceeding kickoff, Iowa took it 98 yards to regain the lead.

The Spartans would drive, and a 28 yard pass to FB Ashton Leggett to the one yard line set up HB A.J. Jimmeron's score. Iowa answered later on in the third, as QB J. Christensen rifled a 63 yard pass between the cover 2, which FS Dan Fortener over ran, leaving the WR with a wide open sprint to the endzone.

In the fourth, the Spartans took the lead back in the 4th on a two yard Jimmerson run, his second of the game. The Hawkeyes would march down the field and with just over a minute left they got the go ahead touchdown to make it 38-34 Iowa.

Michigan State tried coming back, but QB Connor Dixon fumbled the ball and Iowa returned it for a touchdown, sealing the game.

HB A.J. Jimmerson was bottled up all game, after his first two runs of 24 and 23 yards respectively. He finished with 108 yards on 34 carries. Take away those two runs and he had 32 carries for 61 yards. Yuck.

QB Connor Dixon played very well, throwing 16 of 22 for 227 yards with a score and a pick.

The Spartans will look to rebound in Minnesota, where the first meeting of this dynasty awaits the Spartans and Golden Gophers.