Michigan State football: Three Takeaways from a Heartbreaking Loss to Iowa

On Saturday, Michigan State football (3-7, 0-7 Big Ten) travelled out to Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten). The Spartans were looking to exorcise demons from their last trip to Kinnick Stadium, where they showed some fight in 2023, but ultimately lost via special teams errors and the defense being unable to record a clutch stop late.

Sadly, it was a near identical outcome for the Spartans. After going up 17-7, the Hawkeyes stormed back with a 13-point fourth quarter, winning on a last second-field goal. What can we take away from this game?

1. This is a team that will fight

On Saturday, we did not see a team that was mailing it in. The Spartans fought, and battled adversity. After an early punt return touchdown by Iowa, it would be easy to sit down and let the rolling commence. Instead, this team and group of coaches gutted it out.

The Spartans battled, with Joe Rossi, Jordan Hall, Alessio Milivojevic, Malcolm Bell, and Chrishon McCray playing the heroes. All tried their best to will Michigan State football to a win.

Kirk Ferentz, Jordan Hall, and Jonathan Smith all praised the team’s fight. They all pointed out how easy it could be to shut down. This team is going to go to bat for Jonathan Smith, and it is partially why it becomes a complication in the decision to move on from the coach, as the fanbase repeatedly expresses.

2. Special teams disappoint, again

Heading into this game, there was a heavy fear of Kaden Wetjen. Wetjen is one of the best returners in the country. Ryan Eckley, of course, is one of the best punters in the country. This was expected to be a fun chess match, but the Spartans are playing with a special teams unit that has been suspect since week six.

The special teams let the Spartans down again. Wetjen returned his first punt for over 40 yards, and Jonathan Smith and Co. made the head scratching decision to challenge Wetjen, again. Wetjen took the challenge personally, split Aveon Grose and Jack Wills, and housed it.

From the next two quarters, all punts saw Alessio Milivojevic as the Spartan punter, bringing the offense onto the field on fourth down. In the fourth quarter, Michigan State football brought Ryan Eckley back as the punt returner, and it went wrong. The punter shanked a punt (or had it tipped) and then sent another punt to Wetjen that set up the game-tying touchdown.

This was an objective failure at special teams at every level. A bit of flowers to redshirt freshman Keshawn Williams for downing a punt inside the one with some of the best pure gunner play of the season.

3. Too many questions, not enough answers, no more time

The 2025 season for Michigan State football can best be described as one of untapped potential. The Spartans had the pieces, some flashy acquisitions, and some questions entering the year. This was a team that many, myself included, saw breaking the bowl drought and fighting to punch into the 7- or 8-win category.

Instead, the only 7s and 8s the fans see is in the loss category. The Spartans added some flash and intrigue with Chrishon McCray, Omari Kelly, Malcolm Bell, and the late-comers of Elijah Tau-Tolliver and Rod Bullard Jr., but neglected the line. They brought in one high-quality transfer and five depth pieces among the two trenches, and expected to compete.

Overall, there is a ton of frustration that can be held. At the end of the day, the 2025 Spartan season is coming to a close, and untapped potential is the nicest way to put it, with outright failure not being an inaccurate assessment, either.

The Spartans bring their season to a close with a bang, or maybe a whimper, next Saturday in Detroit. The Spartans travel to Ford Field and give fans a reprieve from the cold. The last edition of the 2025 Michigan State football season will air at 7 p.m. EST.