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Penn State Football: Lions Position Grades versus Iowa

By Collin Wieder

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterbacks Tommy Stevens #2 and Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterbacks Tommy Stevens #2 and Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Penn State Nittany Lions cheerleaders celebrate after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Penn State Nittany Lions cheerleaders celebrate after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

Linebackers

Lightning fast – This group attacked the ball and just like the D-Line did a great job of chasing plays down. Jason Cabinda led all Penn State players in tackles with six, while Manny Bowen, Brandon Smith and Koa Farmer added two more each.

The production outside of just Cabinda didn’t look eye-popping, but it’s the total shutdown of the Hawkeyes offense that matters most. Iowa’s offense rushed for just 82 yards on 23 carries holding the average yards per carry to just 3.5.

This linebacking corp struggled against a talented, thumping ground game in Pitt. So, this was their chance at redemption and they took it. Yes, Akrum Wadley got his big plays in on this defense, but it wasn’t enough in the end. The linebackers kept everything in front of them and played quality contain defense.

Grade: A-

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