First Half Analysis: Michigan State-Iowa locked in a tight battle at Kinnick

Through 30 minutes, we're getting the game we expected from Michigan State and Iowa — a low-scoring, grind-it-out slugfest. At the half, the Hawkeyes hold a __-__ lead over the Spartans.

On Iowa's second possession of the game, starting quarterback Cade McNamara suffered an injury to his left leg on a scramble and had to be helped to the sideline. He could put no weight on the leg, and is doubtful to return.

Here are our first half observations:

Michigan State Offense

- Years of screaming at Jay Johnson to utilize the tight ends finally seems to have gotten through to MSU's offensive coordinator. Redshirt junior Maliq Carr was targeted early and often in the first half to the tune of 43 yards on a career-high six receptions. Unfortunately, Carr suffered a right ankle injury on that sixth catch, and has not returned to the game since.

- Noah Kim came out hot in this one, completing his first __ pass attempts. It was clear Michigan State's strategy was to take the underneath throws against Iowa's zone defense. The Hawkeyes don't give up explosive plays, and MSU did a good job taking little chunks at a time and keeping the chains moving.

- Kim was __-for-__ for ___ yards in the first half, but unfortunately also had an interception when it looked like the Spartans were ready to seize control of the game. It looked like there was a miscommunication between the quarterback and redshirt freshman wide receiver Jaron Glover. Kim threw to the back of the end zone, while Glover broke off the route, and the result was the INT. Instead of seizing control, the turnover gave momentum back to Iowa.

- Great first half from Michigan State kicker Jonathan Kim, who closed out of the first half with a monster 58-yard field goal to close the Spartans' deficit to just one point at the break. Kim is 3-for-3 on field goals tonight, adding makes from 31 and 32 yards to his excellent night.

- Michigan State is having more success on the ground than I anticipated. The Spartans have racked up 94 rushing yards already, and are averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Tailback Nathan Carter is leading the way with 50 yards on eight carries, and we're seeing Noah Kim get used in the run game more as well — he's got 27 yards on four carries tonight. Nice showing from MSU's ground game so far tonight.

Michigan State Defense

- Overall, it was a pretty strong half from Michigan State's defense. The Spartans held Iowa to just 135 yards of offense, including just 10 yards total on the ground. MSU has held the Hawkeyes to just 1.3 yards per carry.

- After being held to 76 yards total against Penn State, Iowa went 53 yards on its first drive tonight against the Spartans. However, Michigan State stiffened in the red zone and held the Hawkeyes to just a field goal.

- MSU had a bad defensive series immediately following Kim's interception. The Spartans had a coverage bust on Iowa tight end Erick All, plus a stupid 'roughing the passer' penalty on Tunmise Adeleye on the same play. That set up Iowa's first touchdown of the game, when All caught a short pass and broke multiple Spartan tackles to rumble into the end zone. Bad series all around there for Michigan State.

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