Michigan State17 @FINAL 20Iowa , Week 13, Nov 22, 2025

Michigan State led 17-7 after three quarters but allowed Iowa to score 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including a game-tying touchdown with 1:29 left and a game-winning field goal as time expired. The Spartans' offense managed only 26 yards in the fourth quarter, highlighting a critical inability to sustain drives or protect a lead.

Iowa's Kaden Wetjen returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and set up the game-tying drive with a 40-yard punt return late in the fourth quarter. Michigan State's punting game was exploited, and coach Jonathan Smith acknowledged special teams as a key factor in the loss.

Alessio Milivojevic threw for 255 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns to Chrishon McCray, giving the Spartans a 10-point lead. However, he could not generate any offense in the fourth quarter, and the team's overall offensive output (335 yards) was not enough to overcome the defensive and special teams lapses.

The loss extended Michigan State's losing streak to eight games overall and nine consecutive Big Ten losses. The team has not won since September and is now 3-8 overall, 0-8 in conference play, with only one game remaining against Maryland.

Michigan State faces Maryland in Detroit on Saturday. The Spartans will need to address their fourth-quarter execution, special teams coverage, and ability to close out games to have a chance at ending their losing streak. The team's morale is low after another close loss, and they must find a way to finish strong.