Rudel’s PSU-Iowa Highs & Lows
Trending
IOWA CITY -- Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 25-24 loss to Iowa on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium:
Play of the game: Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski broke a 67-yard run to the PSU 8, setting up a touchdown that gave the Hawkeyes a 25-24 lead with 3:54 remaining.
Offensive player of the game: Gronowski rushed nine times for 130 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed 10 of 16 passes for 68 yards.
Defensive player of the game: Iowa defensive back Xavier Nwankpa made nine tackles and forced a fumble. He also intercepted a pass that he returned 28 yards.
Most telling statistic: The Hawkeyes rushed for 245 yards -- 177 in the second half.
Most deceiving statistic: PSU won time of possession, 36:12-23:48.
Hidden statistic: Iowa won despite running 25 fewer plays (74-49).
Best run: Aside from the play of the game, Kaytron Allen busted a 30-yard run in the third quarter.
Best pass: Ethan Grunkemeyer didn't have big numbers, but he threaded an 11-yard completion on a crossing pattern to Devonte Ross that sustained a third-quarter touchdown drive that put the Nits up 21-10.
Worst pass: On third-and-6 from the Nits' 24 late in the first half, Grunkemeyer tried to force the ball into Luke Reynolds, but was intercepted by Nwankpa, who returned it 28 yards to the PSU 1, setting up an Iowa touchdown and a 10-7 lead.
Best catch: Zakee Wheatley made a one-handed interception off Zion Tracy's deflection to end Iowa's first possession.
Catch it, will ya: With State up, 21-19, Trebor Pena had a chance for a touchdown, but the ball bounced off his chest, forcing the Nits to settle for a field goal and a 24-19 lead with 4:56 left.
Hold it, won't ya: Both PSU quarterbacks fumbled, but the Lions retained possession.
Best block: Anthony Donkoh and TJ Shanahan opened the hole for Allen's 30-yard run.
Best tackle: Iowa's Kenneth Merrieweather stuffed Reynolds on fourth-and-1 at the Lions' 40 to close the third quarter.
Best hit: Nwankpa lit up Jaxon Smolik, who fumbled after a first-down run. Kyron Hudson alertly recovered.
Best kick: Iowa's Rys Dakin unloaded a 54-yard punt in the second quarter.
Worst kick: The Hawks' Drew Stevens missed a 46-yard field goal in the first quarter, keeping the PSU lead at 7-3.
Best call: With PSU facing third-and-10 at the Iowa 10, leading 21-19, Iowa sent Koen Entringer on a blitz to sack Grunkemeyer, forcing State into a field goal.
Worst call: Kirk Ferentz's decision to try the 66-yard field goal backfired, but we'll stay local. The fourth-and-1 run call to Reynolds, with the Nits up 21-16, was blown up.
Best effort: Allen rushed 28 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Unsung hero: With six seconds remaining in the first half, and Iowa up 10-7, the Hawkeyes lined up to try a 66-yard field goal, but Xavier Gilliam blocked it, and Elliot Washington returned it 35 yards for a
touchdown as time expired, putting the Lions up 14-10.