First Look: Penn State Vs. Iowa
How will Penn State fans welcome Iowa back to Beaver Stadium on Saturday? Could booing be part of the gift basket?
Penn State and Iowa renew their unique Big Ten rivalry this week, one that has produced some memorable games and tense moments. Take two years ago. Iowa fans at Kinnick Stadium booed what they perceived to be Penn State players faking injuries. Two of those injured players, quarterback Sean Clifford and defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, did not return to the game. Mustipher did not play again that season. After staking themselves a 17-3 lead, the Lions fell 23-20, and Penn State coach James Franklin said he didn't think booing was "the right thing for college football."
Well, now it's Penn State's turn. The Lions host the Hawkeyes in a duel of unbeaten Big Ten teams, a game pressurized further as the annual Penn State 'White Out.' Iowa is the White Out guest for the first time since 2009. The Hawkeyes upset the fifth-ranked Lions 21-10 that season, derailing a second consecutive championship run, And now they're back!
Here's the first look at Saturday's Penn State-Iowa game.
Penn State coach James Franklin (right) and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz chat before their 2019 game at Kinnick Stadium.
Jeffrey Becker/USA Today Sports
Penn State (3-0) Vs. Iowa (3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday
Where: Beaver Stadium
TV: CBS
Streaming: FuboTV (start your free trial)
Betting Line: Penn State is a 14-point favorite, per DraftKings
Series History: Penn State leads 17-14
Last Meeting: Iowa 23-20 in 2021
About the No. 7 Lions: So were Penn State's run-game issues site specific to Illinois or cause for larger concern? Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen combined for 91 yards rushing, their lowest tandem total since Michigan held them to 35 last season. And offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich certainly tried, rushing them a combined 24 times against Illinois' run-stopping front. The Illinois had a dominant tackle (Johnny Newton) and a sound plan that worked. And Singleton still contributed 140 all-purpose yards, including 49 essential yards as a receiver. Still, it was notable, especially considering Iowa's willingness to challenge the backs with a defense that hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown. Penn State should get back receiver Tre Wallace, whose absence at Illinois was yet another obstacle quarterback Drew Allar faced. Where Allar and the offense have been exceptional is ball protection. Penn State leads the Big Ten in turnover margin at +7 in turnover margin and is the only conference team without a turnover.
About the No. 24 Hawkeyes: Why is ranked Iowa a 14-point underdog? Probably because few people, its former athletic director among them, believes the team can score enough points. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz's contract clause requiring the Hawkeyes to average 25 points per game or else has become a college football meme. And before they scored 41 in a win over Western Michigan, the Hawkeyes weren't off to a strong start in protecting the coordinator's job. But they found a little juice last Saturday, as Leshon Williams ran for 145 yards on just 12 carries in place of injured starter Kaleb Johnson. Williams' emergence was significant if Johnson's injury lingers. Iowa tight end Luke Lashey also sustained a "fairly significant" injury against Western Michigan, according to coach Kirk Ferentz. That would be a major loss for the Hawkeyes.
More on Penn State
Penn State 30, Illinois 13: Rapid reaction regarding a "beautiful" win
The Penn State-Illinois report card
Quarterback Drew Allar played an underrated game against Illinois
The good, bad and bizarre from Penn State's win over Illinois
A Penn State football 'tradition:' the Big Ten road opener
From FOX's Joel Klatt, a standing ovation for Penn State quarterback Drew Allar
For Penn State, a 'lot of things have changed' since 2021
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