East Lansing, MI -- (Sports Network) - Brian Hoyer threw for 184 yards and one score to lead the Michigan State Spartans to a hard-fought, 16-13 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in a Big Ten tussle at Spartan Stadium.

Javon Ringer had to work hard for his 91 yards, as the tailback carried the ball 25 times for Michigan State (5-1, 2-0 BigTen), averaging just 3.6 ypc.

Ricky Stanzi was mediocre at best for Iowa (3-3, 0-2), as the signal caller threw for just 158 yards and one touchdown, but was also intercepted once. Shonn Greene had a strong showing on the ground, as the tailback rumbled for 157 yards on 30 totes.

The lone score in the first quarter was a four-yard touchdown pass from Hoyer to Charlie Gantt, giving the Spartans a 7-0 edge after the first 15 minutes of play.

Brett Swenson kick two field goals late in the second stanza, connecting from 29 and 32 yards, giving Michigan State a 13-0 edge.

Fortunately the Hawkeyes were able to get on the scoreboard in the final seconds of the first half, as Trent Mossbrucker nailed a 25-yard field goal to give Iowa some confidence heading into the intermission.

The two teams exchanged field goals in the third frame, as Swenson connected on a 25-yard kick, while Mossbrucker split the uprights from 33 yards away.

The Hawkeyes pulled within three points midway through the final stanza when Stanzi connected with Andy Brodell for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Unfortunately Iowa could come no closer, as the Spartans were able to hold on for the victory.