Fast start lifts Michigan State to 17-10 win over Iowa

0:27

Michigan State WR grabs TD over defender

Brian Lewerke tosses a jump ball to Felton Davis III, who makes a great catch with a defender in his face.

Oct 1, 2017, 02:41 am

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Joe Bachie wasn't sure if it was an interception or a fumble recovery.

"I just knew I'd caught it," the Michigan State linebacker said.

Bachie came diving in and gathered the ball out of midair, giving the Spartans a crucial turnover in the third quarter of their 17-10 win over Iowa on Saturday. That play -- it went down officially as a fumble -- ended the most promising drive of the second half for the Hawkeyes, and Michigan State held on to win.

Brian Lewerke threw two touchdown passes to Felton Davis in the first quarter, and the Spartans (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) forced two crucial turnovers in the third. Iowa (3-2, 0-2) managed only 19 yards rushing and has now lost its first two conference games for the first time since 2008.

Davis surpassed his career high in receptions before halftime and finished with nine for 114 yards. His touchdown catches of 22 and 6 yards gave Michigan State a 14-0 lead, and that was enough for the Spartans to come away with an important home victory.

"I think the defense was incredible today," Lewerke said. "They stepped up when we needed them, when the offense wasn't finishing drives like we needed to. So I think they definitely were the better of the two today."

Akrum Wadley scored for Iowa on a 9-yard run in the second quarter, but he was held to 30 yards on 17 carries.

"It's a frustrating and very disappointing loss for our football team," Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz said. "I thought we had a solid week of preparation getting ready for this ballgame -- then simply didn't show up in all areas."

The Hawkeyes trailed 17-7 at halftime but were on the verge of scoring on the first drive of the third quarter. After a successful fake field goal, Iowa was inside the 10-yard line, but quarterback Nate Stanley had the ball slip out of his hand as he began a throwing motion, and Bachie caught it out of the air.

Brandon Smith fumbled the ball away in Michigan State territory on Iowa's next possession.

"Anytime you turn the ball over it's not a good thing," Iowa receiver Matt Vandeberg said. "We harp on ball security and we want to make sure when we have it that it stays ours. So when that stuff happens, it not only takes away points, you put your defense in a rough spot."

The Spartans held on at the end after Lewerke scrambled for a first down on third-and-12 with under 4:00 to play. By the time Iowa got the ball again, the Hawkeyes were back at their own 16 with 45 seconds remaining.

THE TAKEAWAY

Iowa: The Hawkeyes lost to Penn State on the final play last weekend, but they were outgained badly in that game, and their inability to move the ball against Michigan State is cause for concern. The last time Iowa started 0-2 in Big Ten play, the Hawkeyes did rebound quickly, winning five of their final six conference games.

Michigan State: The Spartans have already matched last season's win total, and this victory gives them a solid chance to go to a bowl. They still have some issues offensively, though. The running game was substandard against Iowa and prevented Michigan State from putting the game out of reach earlier.

FIELD POSITION

Michigan State's Jake Hartbarger put all five of his punts inside the 20, helping the Spartans hold Iowa at bay.

"He can punt very, very well. He knows that, and he's in rhythm," coach Mark Dantonio said. "Sometimes we're outpunting the coverage, but we've had great coverage at this point as well."

BOUNCES

The game may have turned on two plays near the end zone. Stanley lost his fumble in the third quarter. Back in the first, Michigan State's Matt Sokol fumbled but was able to recover at the Iowa 6, immediately before Davis' second touchdown.

The Spartans had lost six fumbles through their first three games.

UP NEXT

Iowa: The Hawkeyes host Illinois next Saturday.

Michigan State: The Spartans head to Ann Arbor for a Saturday night game against rival Michigan. The Wolverines were idle this weekend.

---

More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 .

---

Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister