Penn State 30, Iowa 24: What we saw and wondered
Follow along as Centre Daily Times writers Josh Moyer and Johnny McGonigal critique the Penn State vs. Iowa game and Abby Drey provides behind-the-scenes and in-game photos. The 18th-ranked Hawkeyes offer a challenge for a team looking to close out the season on a roll.
Stay with us all day and check back after the game for more from the players and coaches.
Game’s last play: Iowa on 4th-and-10, Stanley gets hit in the backfield, laterals to a lineman who rumbles to Penn State’s 28. Gave over. Follow centredaily.com for more insights and analysis.
Penn State football celebrates the 30-24 win over Iowa with the student section. #IOWAvsPSU pic.twitter.com/Rqbf80BZAo
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) October 27, 2018
“Trace McSorley is the best player in college football. I don’t care what anyone else says”
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
James Franklin, on his fifth-year senior QB
Senior savior.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 27, 2018
Iowa had one last chance, but this INT by @NittanyKidNick2 helped seal @PennStateFball's Top 20 win in Happy Valley: pic.twitter.com/gDtQTXHGRI
FINAL: Penn State 30, Iowa 24
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
The Nittany Lions needed this one. Players jumped into the student section afterward after the emotions spilled over. Close games like this haven’t been going PSU’s way lately, but they held on. pic.twitter.com/Pt1QkKzsXy
Exhale, Penn State fans
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
The Nittany Lions hold on in the 4th quarter to beat Iowa & avoid a three-game home losing streak
Instant recap here w/ more coverage cominghttps://t.co/zazCmgDEzZ
#PennState student section loves “Mo Bamba”
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Nittany Lions beat Iowa, 30-24 pic.twitter.com/rHFF3vT8Et
The review official didn't agree. So it was 3rd-and-10 at Iowa 45. Stanley runs for a first and then throws an incompletion to stop the clock. 17 seconds at PSU 44.
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 27, 2018
Iowa now at PSU's 37 with 34 seconds left; play being reviewed but it looks like a catch.
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 27, 2018
Big stop by Iowa and now Penn State will punt with 1:33 left, ahead 30-24.
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 27, 2018
Nick Scott with a monster goal-line interception to stop a likely Iowa score.
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 27, 2018
Late in the game, a team trailing Penn State by a bunch is rallying for a possible score. Hmmmm
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 27, 2018
Miles Sanders was wide open for a touchdown along the Penn State sideline, but Trace McSorley was looking left when the window opened
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Penn State has to settle for a field goal attempt, which Jake Pinegar drilled from 44 yards out
30-24 Penn State with 8:24 to go
When Penn State needs a spark, KJ Hamler delivers
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
67-yard return
Nevermind. Probably.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Double-digit leads in the fourth quarter are Penn State's kryptonite, I guess?
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Every time I think PSU has a game in hand, something like that happens. Just a weird game.
Pick-six, Iowa
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Hawkeyes safety Geno Stone with the INT and score. McSorley had Miles Sanders open in the flat
Penn State's lead is now 27-24 with 10 minutes to go
With 12 minutes left in the game, Iowa tight end Noah Fant gets his first catch of the day
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Good news: Freiermuth back in.
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 27, 2018
Bad news: McSorley/Sanders fumble -- Iowa recovers at their own 10.
Penn State TE Pat Freiermuth goes down in the end zone holding his left arm. Trainers are taking a look.
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 27, 2018
Dear lord, what a throw and catch from McSorley to Hamler
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Penn State's announced attendance is 105,244. Insert joke here.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Jake Pinegar's 48-yard field goal is good w/ 4:10 to go in the third quarter
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
27-17 Nittany Lions lead
DeAndre Thompkins — a fifth-year senior who has dealt w/ drop issues this year — has 4 catches for 45 yards today
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Yetur Gross-Matos is becoming a star
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
A significant reason why? Iowa QB Nate Stanley is either off or just not very good
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Iowa isn't winning this game with Nate Stanley. The only question is whether it loses or replaces him in time.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
It's worth noting that Iowa tight end Noah Fant — a projected 1st-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft — still doesn't have a catch
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Well, I guess McSorley's leg is feeling better. The QB just went for a 51-yard TD that had the press-box shaking.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
PSU has its first lead of the day: 24-17.
Impressive block by freshman wideout Jahan Dotson on KJ Hamler's 18-yard catch-and-run
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
I missed this earlier. This appears to clear up the Franklin-icing-his-kicker thing. https://t.co/OevUcBMVXk
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Twice I've seen Iowa run perfect crossing routes for Fant wide open and Stanley has looked in another direction.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) October 27, 2018
If this QB can't do it, put someone else in for the rest of this game. Not saying a complete benching, but your QB has to hit those routes when they are open.
At the half Penn State and Iowa are tied, 17-17. Trace McSorley was helped off the field in the second quarter and did not return, but was seen jogging on the sidelines. pic.twitter.com/DGPsppRrwy
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) October 27, 2018
Penn State 17, Iowa 17
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
That might look like a normal score. But this game has been anything but ... #2Safeties
And Pinegar makes the 45-yard kick a second time. PSU ties it up at 17-17 after Iowa, for some reason, decided to go for it on fourth-and-10. https://t.co/xYqocqkXaG
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
And it doesn't burn him
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Jake Pinegar is good again
17-17 with 3 seconds until halftime
James Franklin just iced his own kicker ... who hit from 44 yards
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
That was a questionable -- scratch that; stupid -- call by Iowa. Figured they were going to do a pooch punt or something.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Absolutely horrific call by Iowa. and Penn State could make 'em pay for it.
Trace McSorley runs into the Beaver Stadium tunnel...
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Might want to come back out. Penn State ball on own 42 with 37 seconds left and all three timeouts
Trace McSorley back in...and his first play is a completion to DeAndre Thompkins
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Student section offers a loud cheer
Iowa kicker Miguel Recinos is now 8 for 8 on field goals of 40-49 yards over the last two years
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Hmmhttps://t.co/PQi3B4FgsM
#PennState's special teams today...
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
- Blocked punt, safety
- High snap on punt, safety
- Fake field goal TD pass from Iowa punter to defensive end
- 49-yard Hawkeye kickoff return
Ruling stands
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Pinegar's PAT good
14-14 w/ 6:45 to go in the second quarter
Touchdown, Tommy Stevens
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
The 6-foot-5 QB barrels through Iowa defender for the 3-yard score
Play is under review
Well, that was a pretty clutch INT by John Reid -- and a pretty lousy throw by Stanley.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
We wrote earlier this week how Reid was looking like his old self:https://t.co/ImzctTmRMR
John Reid back, y'all
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Beaver Stadium student section with a Bronx cheer after a successful snap and catch for the punt team
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
That's the current state of Penn State's special teams
It's time for Tommy Stevens
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Penn State is playing more undisciplined now than it was in Week 1. Can't believe this is the same team we saw nearly beat Ohio State.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
That was ... different. Iowa gets its second safety of the game after Penn State just snapped the ball well over Gillikin's head and into the end zone.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
So to recap: Iowa leads 14-7. But Iowa's 14 points came from two safeties, a field goal and a fake-field goal TD.
This Penn State-Iowa game has 2 safeties, 2 fumbles and 2 completions for Hawkeyes QB Nate Stanley
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
McSorley appeared to grab his right leg. He's slowly walking off the field, with a slight limp, but under his own power. Initially needed help.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Trace McSorley being helped off the field by trainers and gets a standing ovation by some at Beaver Stadium
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Immediately went to grab his right leg when sacked
McSorley's down -- and he's not getting up. Trainers have to come over to him. This doesn't look good.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Can't overstate how important that 4th-down catch was by #PennState true freshman @H55ZY
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Back in June leading up to the @psfcabig33, Pennsylvania coach @SCoachLintal told me Dotson "sets up defenders as well anybody I've ever worked with"https://t.co/5YWOHes4m7
Next play, McSorley buys time and finds freshman tight end Pat Freiermuth in the back of the end zone for a touchdown
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Freiermuth now has 4 TDs in his last 5 games
True freshman wide receiver Jahan Dotson with the 15-yard catch on 4th down
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
McSorley's pass was a little behind him too
Really nice late blitz pickup by Penn State left tackle Ryan Bates
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Nittany Lions finally have some rhythm on offense
Iowa punter Colten Rastetter lobs a touchdown pass to defensive end Sam Brincks on a fake field goal
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Penn State special teams coordinator Phil Galiano is having some kind of an inaugural season
And Penn State currently has minus-2 yards of offense to 27 penalty yards. Just like we all predicted. https://t.co/PhcygIBv3t
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
The only thing weirder than that Iowa play was the fact it worked. DE Sam Brincks catches a pass on the fake field goal -- an over-the-head, Willie Mays-esque catch -- that was thrown up by the punter.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Iowa leads 12-0 with 5:22 left in the first quarter
Penn State went backward 15 yards on that drive ... which was still an improvement over the last drive, which resulted in a safety.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
I feel like I should be listening to some Benny Hill music while I watch this game.
Penn State's defense has allowed 6.09 yards per carry on first down in its last two games
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Iowa's Ivory Kelly-Martin already with a pair of 5-yard first-down rushes
Recinos' FG is good, and Iowa leads 5-0
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Last year's game started 5-0, too, in Penn State's favor. We all know how that ended.
Padding our lead on this https://t.co/33JCqy78FW
— Evil James Franklin (@JamesFrankwin) October 27, 2018
Penn State absolutely stuffs Iowa on third-and-1 -- but there's a facemask and the Hawkeyes get a first down.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
My goodness. What a start to this game.
Penn State LB Koa Farmer forces a fumble...but two Nittany Lions wiff on the recovery
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Oh, and Jonathan Sutherland is down injured
Some kind of start for Penn State
Oh yeah. And a safety.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
What a start. https://t.co/YNnkfcxET1
What we've seen so far:
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
-- Blatant drop
-- Blocked punt
-- Completely unnecessary intentional grounding
-- Fumble
-- Missed tackle
-- Injured Jonathan Sutherland
We're 76 seconds into #PSUvsIowa. Welcome to B1G football
Nate Stanley had an open window for Brandon Smith on the slant but throws it out of bounds -- while still in the pocket. Intentional grounding.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
I can honestly say this is the sloppiest first 65 seconds of a football game I've ever seen.
A blocked punt, safety and blatant intentional grounding in the first 65 seconds
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
This is B1G football
Oh boy. Well, that's the worst opening drive of the Franklin era.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Blake Gillikin mishandled the punt, had it blocked -- and it traveled backward for a safety.
Iowa leads 2-0. You know that means. #6-4
Blake Gillikin drops the snap, punt blocked and ball flies out of the back of the end zone for a safety
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
6-4 is in play
It took us 45 seconds this week for Penn State to commit its first drop.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Special moment. @ooFUTURISTICoo leads the team onto the field with a flag belonging to his mother, Karen, who is a Navy vet.
— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) October 27, 2018
Looks as if the only NFL team in attendance at the #PSUvsIowa game today are the Buffalo Bills. Two reps from the Citrus Bowl are also here.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Thompkins and Johnson were alternating the "X" receiver in practice on Wednesday
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Interesting development nonetheless https://t.co/iq99767K30
Completely agree with this -- especially with Wisconsin losing right now.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
Hawkeyes are the team no one's talking about. If they win today? That's going to change. https://t.co/jxGXP0LP61
Jonathan Sutherland officially announced as #PennState's starting safety in place of Garrett Taylor, who'll miss the first half due to last week's targeting call
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
Story on why Sutherland — aka "The Assassin" — is ready for his momenthttps://t.co/nYeY4mHixp
Water was flowing off the tarps as they were pulled and rain is still coming down as the team arrived. #IOWAvsPSU pic.twitter.com/xClOM3Xys3
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) October 27, 2018
Iowa kickers were practicing squib kicks a few minutes ago
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 27, 2018
After Penn State's returners had trouble fielding it clean last week at Indiana — and with the rain today – don't be surprised if the Hawkeyes try to make it hard on KJ Hamler
Some pregame reading for the #PSUvsIowa game:
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 27, 2018
5 things to watch: https://t.co/YzFrg3qhiw
Sutherland starting: https://t.co/m2Mz6b5gAp
Key matchups: https://t.co/60ozFl4PL0
Corley & WRs: https://t.co/r7K4jmsORE
This story was originally published October 27, 2018 at 3:16 PM.