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Penn State Football: Keys to the Game vs Iowa

By Corey Hunter

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Football players run onto the field prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Football players run onto the field prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
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Game Keys

#1 – Penn State WR Chris Godwin vs Iowa CB Desmond King

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) reacts following his touchdown catch against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) reacts following his touchdown catch against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Godwin is arguably Penn State’s top wide out.  Cornerback Desmond King is Iowa’s unquestioned top defensive back.  This is an intriguing matchup to keep your eye on.  If Godwin can gain separation, he can catch nearly any pass McSorley can throw his way.  If King is able to blanket him then the passing game rotation will be of utmost importance.

Watch Godwin last week against Purdue.  He is at the top of your screen.  Keep your eye on the Boilermaker defensive back not jamming him at the line of scrimmage or even disrupting his path. In the zone coverage, McSorley is able to hit him in stride as he crosses in an underneath route that goes for a 38 yard touchdown.

King, on the other hand, is one of the more physical defensive backs in the league.  It is a challenge that Godwin embraced in the media this week,  According to Godwin,

"“Obviously he’s (King) a great cornerback. He’s a physical guy. He has a lot of good speed and they play in a good scheme. They’ve been doing a really good job defensively putting him in positions to be successful and he takes advantage of them,” Godwin said. “There’s not really things on film that you can really go at against him, but the things that there are, you’ve got to attack those.”"

Besides the top flight Godwin versus King match up, keep your eye on how these two affect the other Penn State wideouts.  If King is constantly tied up with Godwin, that should open the door for either Saeed Blacknall or DeAndre Thompkins (questionable) for deep passes.  Or, my gut says, look out for slot receiver DaeSean Hamilton to get more looks than he has in the past few games.  Mie Gesicki has overshadowed him of late.

Penn State has the wide receiver depth to give the Hawkeyes fits out on the edge.  Penn State has a prime opportunity to exploit this match up, and I fully expect offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead to take advantage of Iowa’s porous pass defense despite Desmond King Jim Thorpe Award resume.

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