Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps over Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Brandon Snyder (37) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Photo Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The sluggish starts that dogged Penn State early in the season are no more and questions about the direction of the program under third-year head coach James Franklin have seemingly been answered.
Nowadays, the No. 12 Nittany Lions come out firing and the future appears bright as one of the country’s youngest teams continues its ascent. Iowa was the latest step, and it was one the Nittany Lions conquered early finishing off a 41-14 win in convincing fashion before a raucous crowd of 106,194 fans.
Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown, and Trace McSorley completed 11 of 18 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a touchdown.
Penn State led Iowa 24-7 at halftime at Beaver Stadium.
The Nittany Lions (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten) struck quickly and efficiently in the first half, scoring touchdowns on three of six possessions. McSorley hit Saeed Blacknall on a 19-yard pass to cap Penn State’s opening possession and Barkley took off for a 57-yard touchdown run two possessions later.
McSorley went to the air on Penn State’s next series, hooking up with tight end Mike Gesicki on three-straight plays, the third a 43-yard gain that set McSorley up for a 1-yard keeper to give Penn State a 21-0 lead.
C.J. Beathard completed 18 of 26 passes for 204 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Hawkeyes (5-4, 3-3).
Iowa’s offense, which couldn’t build any momentum off two Penn State facemask penalties on the first play of each of their first two drives, finally got on the board late in the half. The Nittany Lions had to err again to give the Hawkeyes a chance, however.
Linebacker Jason Cabinda was called for roughing the passer to set Iowa up in the red zone and Beathard hit running back Akrum Wadley who made a nice cutback to beat defenders for a 12-yard score. Save for a late 39-yard touchdown pass to Jerminic Smith, the highlights would end there for the Hawkeyes.
Barkley had a few more up his sleeve.
The star back galloped for a few chunk runs before hauling in a 44-yard pass early in the fourth quarter. Barkley sprinted to the right of Iowa’s defense on a wheel route and had to turn around, running backward while he adjusted to an underthrown ball, to make the catch and score to put Penn State up 34-7.
Even backup quarterback Tommy Stevens got in on the action. A vaunted runner who lost a battle with McSorley for the starting spot, Stevens lined up in the slot on Penn State’s next possession and scored on a jet sweep left. Stevens capped the 13-yard score by shouldering his way through two defenders at the goal line.
Tyler Davis kicked two field goals for Penn State. He was good from 30 and 37 yards after his first kick was blocked.
NOTES: Beathard was sacked four times and Iowa punted on 6 of 10 possessions. … Penn State won its fifth straight conference game for the first time since 2011. … Penn State got DT Parker Cothren and WR DeAndre Thompkins back after both missed the last game with injuries. … The Nittany Lions lost RT Brendan Mahon on the first play of the game to an apparent foot injury. Mahon walked to the sideline, was carted to the locker room and did not return. Mahon was replaced by Chasz Wright. … Brandon Snyder and Josey Jewell combined for 22 tackles for Iowa. … Iowa’s color guard took the field at the same time as Penn State’s and ran through the Nittany Lions’ flag line, causing a big pile up of cheerleaders and flag-wavers during pregame ceremonies.
