What happened and what we thought in Penn State football’s 17-12 win over Iowa

CDT staff reports

Updated October 13, 2019 1:05 AM

Follow along as the Centre Daily Times football writers Josh Moyer and Jon Sauber critique the Penn State vs. Iowa game, and while Moyer provides photos and videos live from Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Stay with us all evening and check back after the game for more from the players and coaches.

Penn State beat Iowa 17-12 in a defensive slugfest in Iowa City to earn coach James Franklin his first road victory over a top-25 opponent. The Nittany Lions improve to 6-0. Here’s what happened:

Penn State gets the win against Iowa, 17-12. That's the Nittany Lions first win against a ranked team on the road in James Franklin's tenure. #PSUvsIOWA #PSU
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

FINAL: Penn State 17, Iowa 12 pic.twitter.com/3CpxLYKCjT
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Noah Cain has earned the starting running back gig with his performance tonight. Touchdown Penn State. The Nittany Lions are up 11 with 5:17 left in the fourth quarter. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

Noah Cain with the TD there ... and there's no flags, no controversy, and no debate.

PSU leads 17-6 now, with 5:17 left in the game. And that should do it.

Not sure what else Cain needs to prove. He's the best RB on this team.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Noah Cain should probably get most of the snaps the rest of the game. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

Penn State running back Noah Cain, center, celebrates his touchdown during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) Matthew Putney AP

No idea how you overturn that Freiermuth TD call. The replay official is Tom Kissinger. Can't explain what he thought he saw. We are now working on assigning a pool reporter to ask the officiating crew how they came about the decision, referee O'Neill, Kissinger or combo.
— David Jones (@djoneshoop) October 13, 2019

For what it's worth, Penn State's defense holds and the Lions take back over at its own 10. The pool reporter process has also been initiated to try and gain an explanation from John O'Neill and Tom Kissinger about the Pat Freiermuth touchdown reversal.
— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) October 13, 2019

This Penn State TD was overturned and Freiermuth was ruled down at the 1.@HawkeyeFootball took advantage and held them to 3: pic.twitter.com/bHcVGFHMTI
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 13, 2019

Shades of Nebraska in ... 2012? https://t.co/rbwF10eTZN
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Are we joking. This isnt a touchdown. Good one refs!!!! #PSUvsIOWA pic.twitter.com/bRemkCGGYC
— AQ Shipley (@aqshipley) October 13, 2019

Penn State gets the field goal and extends its lead to four, but it probably should've been at least seven after what appeared to be a clear touchdown for Pat Freiermuth.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

I don't know if I've ever seen a drive quite like this before ...
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

That's a mind-boggling overturned call. Legitimately stunning. The ball was over the goal line. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

First turnover of the game goes in Penn State's favor. Great play by P.J. Mustipher to blow that play up in the backfield. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

And there's your turning point. DT PJ Mustipher blew up that play, and it looks as if Jan Johnson recovered. https://t.co/hQL1ML6ykC
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

If you've watched Penn State and/or Iowa this season, and you still bet on the OVER in this game, I have no sympathy for your loss.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Tonight's announced attendance: 69,034#PSUvsIOWA
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Penn State defensive tackle Robert Windsor, center, celebrates a sack with safety Garrett Taylor, left, and defensive tackle Antonio Shelton, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) Matthew Putney AP

The Penn State defensive line looks like the unit many anticipated it to be. Constant pressure and blown-up run plays aplenty in this one. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

KJ earlier this month:

“To be honest, I don’t really like how people say that’s a Saquon spectacular-type run. I don’t like that. That’s a me-type run. I’m my own person. I make plays, and the coaches and the team help me out to put in situations of that nature.” https://t.co/myd0NRdr4D
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Great stunt by the Penn State defensive line to get pressure on Stanley there and hold Iowa to a field goal. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

Yetur Gross-Matos blew up that play at the snap. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

Either PSU safety Lamont Wade is doing a funny little dance -- or he wants the refs to call offensive pass interference on that last play.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Blake Gillikin slow to get up after Mike Miranda fell backwards into him. Gillikin walks off under own power but is limping.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 13, 2019

Here's why Noah Cain is so good. Here are his gains so far this game: 7, 7, 5, 5, 3, 4, 4#Consistency

PSU only punted on that drive after going pass, pass, pass.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Noah Cain is in for Penn State for his second drive of the game. That's notable. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

Iowa kicker Keith Duncan pushes it right and Penn State will get the ball with a 7-3 lead. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

KJ HAMLER CAN FLY pic.twitter.com/h9TDAsGOE1
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) October 13, 2019

Hamler's topsy-turvy touchdown is upheld. PSU leads 7-3 with 8:36 left in the 2Q ... and there's no telling when we might see another TD this game.

When PSU's offense is on, few are better. But, when it's cold ... well ... it did have negative yardage after the first two drives.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler runs the ball in for a touchdown during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) Matthew Putney AP

Great play by Hamler to get in the end zone there. I imagine this one will stand. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

What an effort by KJ Hamler. Add that to the man's end-of-season highlights ... but he looks a little hurt after that flip.

TD is pending a review.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

The Penn State offense is better when either Noah Cain or Devyn Ford is on the field. I have to think those two have earned the majority of the snaps at this point. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

That pass to K.J. Hamler was Clifford's first completion of the game. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

Devyn Ford gets drive No. 4 at running back for Penn State. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

PSU statement on the pregame T-shirts

"While we are supportive of our students expressing themselves in a thoughtful manner, they are expected to wear team-issued apparel on game day. We asked our students to remove the shirts out of an abundance of caution for NCAA compliance."
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Noah Cain: 19 yards

Everyone else on Penn State: minus-9 yards

Penn State is going to keep Noah Cain in on the next drive, right? Right?
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Those three carries are the first time Cain has carried the ball in the first quarter this year. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

Noah Cain gets his first snap of the game and takes it up the middle for 7 yards. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

And Step 1 to a 6-4 game has been completed. (I kid. Mostly.)

Iowa's Keith Duncan nails a 47-yard FG as the Hawkeyes go up 3-0 with 2:12 left in the 1Q.

PSU currently has minus-7 yards of offense.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Great job by Penn State's defense to bring the Iowa drive to an end. It's been on the field for most of the first quarter and still managed to hold Iowa to three points thus far. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 13, 2019

Great block by Iowa's Tyler Linderbaum on that third-down conversion. LB Cam Brown sniffed that out a moment too late and couldn't get to the ball-carrier.

Iowa threatening to put point on the board. 20 yards from the end zone now.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2019

Gutsy move by Iowa, going for it on fourth-and-1 on its own 38. And it pays off.

Now, I'm just wondering when we'll have our first double-digit gain of this game ...
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 12, 2019

Also, Iowa's 11-yard punt was just corrected to be not blocked. Sooo ... yeah ...
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 12, 2019

And Clifford steps into pressure on third down. Not a good start for the redshirt sophomore quarterback. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 12, 2019

Well ... PSU did start in field-goal range. Back-to-back sacks are going to push PSU back, however.

PSU OL vs. Iowa DL was my key matchup of this game ... for this very reason.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 12, 2019

Clifford looks uncomfortable. Had all day to throw on second down and panicked in the backfield. #PSUvsIOWA
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 12, 2019

Hello, special teams.

Shaka Toney blocks the punt, and PSU will take over at the Iowa 41. Which is already actually within Jordan Stout's FG range.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 12, 2019

Well, this is the start PSU wanted on defense. Iowa begins with a three-and-out, and now we'll see if PSU's offense can start off as hot as it did last week.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 12, 2019

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford warms up for the team’s NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) Matthew Putney AP

Why Penn State players wore T-shirts that read, ‘Chains, Tattoos, Dreads, & WE ARE’#PSUvsIOWA https://t.co/E8OIjBxbsH
— Penn State Football (@psu_football) October 12, 2019

PSU CB Lamont Wade warming up in a t-shirt that reads: Chains, tattoos, dreads & WE ARE pic.twitter.com/bLzY1C84Kj
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 12, 2019

This is my first time in Kinnick, but PSU players and reporters alike this week said it’s one of their favorite road venues.

The atmosphere is electric, the traditions are unique, and the history is special. Here’s a look at the calm before the proverbial storm: pic.twitter.com/TfTf81HoSa
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 12, 2019

Penn State coach James Franklin, left, greets fans as he arrives for the team’s NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) Matthew Putney AP

PSU has pulled into Kinnick Stadium. Still making its way in; a little later than expected. #PSUvsIOWA pic.twitter.com/DCbnjYXGKj
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 12, 2019