Michigan State's William Gholston says 'season's not over'

Michigan State players aren't giving up on their season, despite the fact that they've already lost three games with seven left to go.

Iowa vs. Michigan State 2012: Loss likely eliminates Spartans from Big Ten title picture

In Saturday's 19-16 double overtime loss to Iowa, the Michigan State's passing game continued to struggle and the Spartans missed an opportunity to kick what could've proven to be a decisive field goal at the end of the first half. On top of that, the Spartans likely fell out of contention to win the Big Ten Legends Division after falling two games in the loss column behind Michigan and Iowa.

That's a lot to digest in just one game. Michigan State blog The Only Colors touches on all of those aspects in the game recap:

Even if we win out, we'd need at least two (possibly three) losses from Iowa and another one from Michigan. And winning out doesn't look at all likely at this point. Missing out on a bowl entirely is a possibility now, though I still think we probably get the last two to avoid that.

Michigan State had a chance to tie or win in double overtime. Iowa had kicked a field goal to go up 19-16, but the Spartans had one more possession. On their second play, from the Iowa 24-yard line, Andrew Maxwell's pass was deflected and intercepted to end the game. Maxwell had his worst start of the season, completing just 12-for-31 passes for 179 yards.

Michigan State vs. Iowa final score: Spartans fall 19-16 in 2OT

Hawkeyes got one of the most thrilling victories of the college football season, in a 19-16 double overtime win over Michigan State Saturday.

Iowa vs. Michigan State score: Spartans cling to a 10-3 lead after three quarters

With a 10-3 score after three quarters of play, offense has been at a premium between Michigan St. and Iowa Saturday afternoon. So far, the best players on each team have been their respective punters, as the Spartans hold on to a tight to a one-touchdown lead.

In a game which has been dictated by sloppy weather and sloppy play, the Hawkeyes enter the fourth quarter in the midst of a 10-play drive that sees them with their best touchdown scoring opportunity of the day, inside the red zone.

The big play of the drive came on a fourth-down conversion, when running back Mark Weisman picked up a five yards to keep Iowa in scoring range. Weisman also picked up 31 yards on a run play earlier in the drive to get things going. The Hawkeyes were aided by a Michigan State defensive holding penalty on a third down, which moved the chains and kept the drive alive.

Iowa will open with the ball on the Michigan State 13-yard line to start the fourth quarter.

Michigan State vs. Iowa score: Spartans up 10-3 at halftime

It wasn’t a pretty first half in East Lansing, Mich., but after 30 minutes of play, Michigan State leads Iowa 10-3 in a crucial game in the Big Ten Leaders Division standings.

After a Le’Veon Bell touchdown made it 7-0 in the first quarter, the only scores in the second came off the feet of each team’s kickers.

Michigan State put up the first points of the quarter on a 24-yard Dan Conroy kick, one that was set up by a 38-yard pass from quarterback Andrew Maxwell to Aaron Burbridge earlier in the drive. It was the longest play from scrimmage all afternoon for either team.

Iowa responded with a field goal of their own later in the quarter, after an 10-play, 42-yard drive.

Actually, the two biggest plays of the quarter were ones that didn't technically happen.

Following the Conroy kick, which gave the Spartans a 10-0 lead, Iowa return man Jordan Cotton fielded the ensuing kickoff and took it in for a touchdown. Unfortunately a block in the back negated the score, and even though Iowa started with the ball inside Michigan State territory, they were only able to muster those three points.

And for Michigan State, the Spartans too had a scoring opportunity right before the end of the half. But in field goal range, the Spartans were unable to spike the ball in time for a scoring chance, right as time expired.

Michigan State vs. Iowa score: Spartans lead 7-0 after first quarter

After one quarter of an important showdown between two Big Ten Leaders Division opponents, Michigan State leads Iowa, 7-0.

The scoring started just minutes into the first quarter, after Michigan State's Denicos Allen intercepted a pass from Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg. With rainy weather holding back the Spartans' passing attack, Michigan State elected to go to the ground four straight times with running back Le'Veon Bell, and on the fourth play, Bell carried the ball in for a 14-yard touchdown strike.

Bell's touchdown remains the only score of the game, with both offenses slowed by poor weather conditions. Following Bell's touchdown run, the two teams combined for four straight three-and-outs, before an Andrew Maxwell pass moved the chains for a first down right before the end of the quarter. Outside the scoring drive, the two teams have combined for just 56 yards of total offense.

Regardless, this is a crucial game for both teams in the race for the Leaders Division lead. Entering Saturday, Iowa was tied at the top of the standings with Michigan at 1-0 in conference play, with Michigan State a game back at 1-1.

Iowa vs. Michigan State 2012: TV schedule, game time, spread and more

The Hawkeyes and Spartans open up Big Ten Legends Division play Saturday in East Lansing.

Michigan State offensive coordinator Dan Roushar says he doesn't pay attention to critics

Michigan State offensive coordinator Dan Roushar has been under fire for fielding an underwhelming offense so far in 2012, but he isn't letting the criticism get to him.

Michigan State's Andrew Gleichert playing with broken wrist

Former walk-on will wear a cast through the rest of the season.

Michigan State's Lawrence Thomas recovering from another concussion

Michigan State fullback Lawrence Thomas could still play against Iowa on Saturday despite suffering his second concussion of the fall.

Michigan State's Chris Norman taking benching in stride

Three-year starter Chris Norman is taking his benching in stride as Michigan State prepares for Iowa this Saturday.

Michigan State will be without Dion Sims this week

Michigan State tight end Dion Sims will miss the Spartans game against the Iowa Hawkeyes with a sprained ankle.

Dion Sims injury: Michigan State TE not expected to play this week

Michigan State Spartans tight end Dion Sims is unlikely to play this Saturday against the Iowa Hawkeyes after sustaining an ankle injury