Penn State Nittany Lions vs Iowa Hawkeyes Position Grades

Penn State vs Iowa Position Grades

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 running back Miles Sanders (24) returns the opening kick off as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Joshua Jackson (15) makes a tackle during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

Miles Sanders’ opening kickoff return to near midfield really set the tone early that it was going to be a night dominated by Penn State.

Punter Blake Gillikin only had two punts on the evening, but put both inside the 20 and averaged 40.5 yards per kick. Joey Julius kicked three of his seven attempts into the endzone for touchbacks and the kickoff coverage was pretty solid, especially against dangerous return man Desmond King.

Tyler Davis made two field goals, but had another blocked. He hasn’t had a true miss yet with his two misses being blocks. DeAndre Thompkins had a bizarre moment by taking a knee at the 5 on a kickoff return, but the game was well in hand at that point.

Grade: B+

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