Victory Bell Rings
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Penn State vs Iowa Position Grades

By Shane Lunnen

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Mike Gesicki (88) against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Mike Gesicki (88) against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Kevin Givens (30) sacks Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Kevin Givens (30) sacks Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

An outstanding night for the whole front four rotation along the defensive line.

Thirty yards.  That’s the total amount of yards Iowa gained on the ground and in large part that was due to the front four.  There were not many holes to run through for Iowa and their longest run from scrimmage was six yards.  This is the first time since joining the conference that the Lions held consecutive conference opponents to under 50 yards rushing.

There weren’t any stand out statistic numbers along the line, just a workman’s effort among every one.  Kevin Givens led the group with four tackles, including a sack.  Evan Schwan had two tackles and a sack.  Tyrell Chavis and Ryan Buchholz combined for a sack.

Just a solid evening overall and Iowa could get little going because of the great effort.

Grade: A

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back LeShun Daniels Jr. (29) runs with the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Bell (11) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back LeShun Daniels Jr. (29) runs with the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Bell (11) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

Jason Cabinda’s leap to stop Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard on a 4th-and-short early in the first quarter really set the tone for this group.

Cabinda led all Lions with eight tackles, including a half tackle for loss.  He was all over the field, but the negative was he took a couple of 15-yard penalties.

Cabinda’s backup, Brandon Smith, also tallied four tackles, with Brandon Bell and Manny Bowen collecting three tackles each.  Koa Farmer also had three tackles and collected a sack that Beathard never saw coming from his blindside.

Combined with the defensive line, the front seven was solid all night long.

Grade: A-

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