It will be a final game against Michigan State for Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara when the teams collide in East Lansing Saturday night. McNamara played the Spartans when he was at Michigan and last years suffered a season ending knee injury early in a Hawkeye win in Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa is coming off its most complete effort of the season in a 40-16 win over Washington and McNamara says it started in practice last week.

McNamara says the wide receivers are making progress. Redshirt freshman Dayton Howard had his first catch and his first touchdown against the Huskies.

A year ago as a true freshman Howard was on the scout team.

Depth has been a factor in Iowa’s improved play along the offensive line. Tyler Elsbury stepped in at guard last week when Beau Stephens went down with an ankle injury and center Logan Jones says Elsbury’s versatility is a plus.