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PSU-Iowa highlights, lowlights

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 21-19 victory over Iowa on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium:

Play of the game: On fourth-and-goal from the Iowa 7, Trace McSorley threaded a touchdown pass through traffic to Juwan Johnson as time expired.

Offensive player of the game: Saquon Barkley accounted for 358 all-purpose yards — 211 rushing on 28 carries, 94 on 12 receptions and 53 more on three kickoff returns. He also scored a touchdown.

Defensive player of the game: Iowa middle linebacker Josey Jewell was terrific with a game-high 16 tackles, including three for loss. He intercepted a pass and broke up two others.

Most telling statistic: Iowa only ran 45 plays but averaged 6.1 yards on each one.

Most deceiving statistic: Penn State outgained the Hawkeyes 579-273.

Hidden statistic: The Lions converted 3-of-4 fourth downs, including the last one.

Best run: Barkley ran through Iowa linebacker Bo Bower and rumbled 25 yards to the Iowa 18, setting up a go-ahead field goal (8-7) in the third quarter.

Best pass: See play of the game. McSorley threw a bullet, showing incredible poise and delivery.

Worst pass: McSorley had Saeed Blacknell open on an early post for a touchdown but overthrew him.

Best catch: Iowa’s Nick Easley beat Lion safety Troy Apke and adjusted nicely for a 21-yard touchdown pass that gave the Hawkeyes a 7-5 lead with 37 seconds left in the first half.

Catch it, will ya: Brandon Polk dropped a completion that would have sustained a Penn State possession in the second quarter.

Hold it, won’t ya: McSorley fumbled twice, the second alertly snagged out of the air by tackle Ryan Bates.

Best tackle: Shareef Miller broke through and tackled Akrum Wadley for a safety, pushing the Lions’ lead to 5-0 with 7:40 remaining in the first half.

Best block: Apke broke through to block Miguel Recinos’ 36-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, preserving Penn State’s 15-7 lead.

Best hit: Late in the first half, McSorley was hit by Iowa defensive end Sam Brincks, leading to an interception that Jewell returned 33 yards to the PSU 21. One play later, the Hawkeyes scored their only touchdown of the half in taking a 7-5 lead.

Best kick: Penn State’s Blake Gillikin pooched a punt to the Iowa 1 that Irvin Charles alertly downed, keeping the Hawkeyes in an early field-position hole.

Worst kick: Tyler Davis pulled a 41-yard field goal left in the second quarter.

Best call: Iowa caught Penn State in a blitz, and Nate Stanley found Akrum Wadley for a 70-yard touchdown to pull the Hawkeyes within 15-13 with 10:02 left in the game.

Worst call(s): Penn State has the best back in the country and yet was second-and-goal from the 2 in the third quarter and didn’t give Barkley the ball, choosing instead to try McSorley (loss of 2 yards) and a fade to Johnson (underthrown).

Worst penalty: Iowa interfered with Lion punt returner DeAndre Thompkins in the second quarter, costing the Hawkeyes 15 yards and giving PSU possession at the Hawkeyes’ 38. The play followed an illegal formation penalty on Iowa that wiped out a punt to the Nits’ 25, costing the Hawkeyes 37 yards.

Best effort: Iowa safety Amani Hooker stopped Barkley in the open field after a 12-yard gain at the Hawkeyes’ 10, saving a touchdown and leading to a first-quarter field goal.

Unsung hero: With Iowa trailing 8-7 but driving in the third quarter, Marcus Allen stripped Wadley, and Grant Haley recovered at the Penn State 25.

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