IOWA CITY, Iowa - Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 38-14 victory over Iowa on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium:
Play of the game: Facing fourth-and-3 from the Iowa 45, Penn State not only didn't punt but Matt McGloin found Kyle Carter, who jumped over Iowa defender Micah Hyde for a sensational 34-yard reception to the Hawkeye 11. The catch set up Penn State's second touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 2:43 left in the first quarter.
Offensive player of the game: McGloin completed 26-of-38 for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He was not intercepted or sacked.
Defensive player of the game: Lion defensive tackle Jordan Hill led Penn State with nine tackles, including one sack and two for loss.
Most telling statistic: Iowa rushed for a total of 20 yards on 23 carries.
Hidden statistic: Penn State has outscored its opponents 66-0 in the first quarter this season and 110-23 in the first half.
Best run: Bill Belton ripped off 16 yards with a draw in the second quarter, moving the Lions to the Iowa 20 and setting up a 17-0 lead.
Best pass: McGloin bought time by rolling out, stayed patient and then rifled a 31-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jesse James to open the scoring.
Worst pass: Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg provided multiple selections.
Best catch: Aside from Carter's effort on the play of the game, Iowa's Keenan Davis did a nice job to pull in a 31-yarder in the second quarter.
Catch it, will ya: Though they made some good receptions, the Lions also missed a couple catchable balls in the second quarter, one by Allen Robinson and one Matt Lehman dropped in the red zone. Gerald Hodges also looked up and saw the end zone before squeezing what would have been an interception return for a TD in the third quarter.
Hold it, won't ya: Zach Zwinak's fumble in the end zone cost the Lions a 38-0 lead in the third quarter. The fumble by Vandenberg, recovered by DaQuan Jones at the Hawkeyes' 17, set up the Lions' 24-0 halftime lead.
Best block: Lion guard Miles Dieffenbach pulled nicely to help spring Belton's 23-yard sweep in the first quarter.
Best tackle: PSU safety Jake Fagnano stayed home and blew up an early reverse to Jordan Cotton.
Best hit: Pete Massaro and Anthony Zettle combined to sandwich Vandenberg late in the game.
Best kick: Have to give it to Sam Ficken, whose 34-yard field goal extended the Penn State lead to 17-0 in the second quarter, a nice moment after his early-season struggles.
Worst kick: Alex Butterworth's first punt only went 24 yards. Normally reliable Iowa kicker Mike Meyer missed from 37 in the second quarter with the Hawkeyes down 14-0 and needing a breath of air.
Worst penalty: Iowa's Joe Gaglione let his frustrations show with a roughing-the-passer penalty against McGloin, trailing 31-0 late in the third quarter.
Best call: On the first play of the third quarter, with a 24-0 lead, the Lions went for the jugular as McGloin hit Brandon Moseby-Felder with a 42-yard post to the Iowa 3, setting up a 31-0 lead.
Worst call: Up 31-0 in the third quarter, Bill O'Brien called for a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 from his own 36, and McGloin was stopped short. Should have punted for two reasons: sportsmanship, and it's the right play.
Best effort: Belton rushed for a career-high 103 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns.
Unsung hero(es): Penn State's offensive line, with four new starters this year, has been solid all season.
