Fansided

Michigan State vs Iowa, 16-13: Full highlights, final score and more

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) looks to pass during the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) looks to pass during the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Saturday night’s Michigan State vs Iowa game for the Big Ten title lived up to the hype.

The first half wasn’t pretty, but the Michigan State Spartans and Iowa Hawkeyes played a tough, defensive battle through the first 30 minutes that set up an exciting second half. The quarterbacks didn’t really get things going early, but it took a little while for them to get comfortable.

Both teams were playing for a spot in the College Football Playoff and the second half proved that they were hungry for it, but only one team could be fighting for a national title in early January.

It took until the fourth quarter for the game to see its first touchdown pass and it happened to be Iowa’s longest of the season, an 85-yard pass from C.J. Beathard to Tevaun Smith.

The game came down to the final seconds as a final Michigan State drive proved to be key, coming down to 3rd-and-goal at the one-yard line. True freshman running back L.J. Scott made an unbelievable stretch to the end zone to put the Spartans up 16-13.

Michigan State came out with a huge Big Ten title win in one of the most exciting games of the season in any conference.

Three Stars

L.J. Scott was an absolute beast in the final drive of the game and he finished the game with 73 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, including the game-winning score.

You can’t knock C.J. Beathard’s effort on Iowa’s side of things. The junior quarterback passed for 208 yards and a touchdown on 17-of-25 completions and gave his team the best chance to win.

Aaron Burbridge made the huge catch when it matter on a third down in between two defenders. He finished the game with five catches for 61 yards.

Full Highlights

"INTERCEPTION! @HawkeyeFootball LB Josey Jewell picks off the Connor Cook pass. https://t.co/0cE4a9jOel— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 6, 2015"

"Does it have the distance? Is it on line? Michael Geiger’s field goal to end the first half hits the crossbar. https://t.co/3gXnWStA0g— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 6, 2015"

Betting Odds

Michigan State was a 2.5-point favorite going into this one and the over/under was 51 points. Both teams combined for far under 51 points and the Spartans covered the spread — just barely.

Next Game

Michigan State will likely be headed to the College Football Playoff after beating the No. 4 team in the country, likely as the fourth-best team.

Iowa will be playing in a prominent bowl after this first loss of the season. A 12-1 season is nothing to hang their heads on.

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