Iowa wide receiver Kaden Wetjen carries the ball during a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. Wetjen carried the punt return all the way to the end zone for a 62 yard touchdown. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17.
The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated Michigan State Spartans, 20-17, for a Senior Day football game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22. Iowa senior kicker Drew Stevens secured the comeback victory with a 44-yard field goal in the final seconds of the game.
Iowa struggled to get the ball moving in the first three quarters of the game, with Gronowski not able to garner a single completion until the second quarter. Gronowski also threw an interception and fumbled the ball. Iowa’s Kamari Moulton led in rushing on 18 carries for 78 yards.
While Iowa’s offense was inconsistent, Kaden Wetjen continued to be a differentiator for the outcome of the game, carrying three punt returns for 147 yards, with the first one being a 62-yard touchdown and his third one being a 44-yard return to give favorable field position to help with the late touchdown pass to wide receiver Jacob Gill.
Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic threw for 255 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Running back Brandon Tullis led in rushing with eight carries for 56 yards.
Following a two-touchdown third quarter for Michigan State, Iowa’s defense held the Spartans to 26 yards on four possessions in the fourth quarter, helping the Hawkeye offense to come to life in the final minutes of the game. This would allow the Hawkeye’s to score 13 points in the fourth. Gronowski led the way, especially in the final drive, going 54 yards in 41 seconds to get in range for the game-winning field goal.
Iowa travels to Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium for its annual matchup against the Cornhuskers on Nov. 28 at 11:30 a.m. CST.
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz walks to the sideline during a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Cody Blissett)Iowa running back Kamari Moulton tries to break Michigan State defensive lineman Jalen Thompson during a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Cody Blissett)Michigan State edge Isaac Smith looks at Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski during a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Cody Blissett)Michigan State defensive back Aydan West attempts to block a throw to Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee while he jumps to catch the ball during a football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Samantha DeFily)Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic prepares to throw the ball during a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Cody Blissett)
Fans observe a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. This was the final home game of the season. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17.
Iowa defensive lineman Max Llewellyn tries to sack Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic during a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. (Cody Blissett)Iowa wide receiver Kaden Wetjen runs the ball into the end zone during a football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Samantha DeFily)A Hawkeye fan yells during a football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Samantha DeFily)
Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee catches the ball during a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. Vander Zee had had 46 receiving yards. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17.
Special teams coordinator Levar Woods and Iowa kicker Drew Stevens embrace following a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Cody Blissett)Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski carries the ball during a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Cody Blissett)Michigan State wide receiver Chrishon McCray jumps for the ball during a football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Samantha DeFily)Iowa wide receiver Jacob Gill catches the ball in the end zone during a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Cody Blissett)Fans do the wave after the first quarter of a football game between Michigan State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Cody Blissett)Iowa kicker Drew Stevens kicks the ball during a football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Spartans 20-17. (Samantha DeFily)
