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Penn State Football: Nittany Lions hang on at home against Iowa

By Barry Leonard Jr.

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 27: Tommy Stevens #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after rushing for a 3 yard touchdown in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 27: Tommy Stevens #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after rushing for a 3 yard touchdown in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Penn State had a tough home game against Iowa, but was able to hold on for an important win. 

Penn State fans sitting inside of Beaver Stadium were certainly worried Saturday evening, as Penn State was once again nursing a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. Fortunately for the fans that braved the wet conditions, the Nittany Lions were able to hang on and secure a very important 30-24 victory.

Kicker Jake Pinegar, who has struggled with consistency all year, played a big key in the victory. He converted on all three of his field goal attempts — hitting from 45, 44, and 49 yards.

On a day where the weather was terrible — it rained for nearly the entire game — the Nittany Lions started out slow and had everyone in the stadium on edge. Two easy blunders on special teams led to two Iowa safeties and Penn State found itself down 12-0 in the first quarter.

However, a touchdown pass from Trace McSorley to tight end Pat Freiermuth, a Tommy Stevens run, and  Jake Pinegar field goal tied the game at 17 heading into the break.

McSorley left the game for a bit with an apparent right leg injury, but was able to return in the second half. The senior finished with 167 passing yards and a touchdown. He added 12 rushes for 63 yards and a score.

Backup quarterback Tommy Stevens completed two passes for 27 yards and rushed for 18 yards and a touchdown.

KJ Hamler led all receivers with 96 yards. Tight end Pat Freiermuth had the lone touchdown reception.

Running back Miles Sanders was held in check for most of the game, rushing 17 times for 62 yards.

Penn State turned it on in the second half and went up 10 points in the third quarter. Just when the game looked to be in check, the Hawkeyes clawed back and pulled to within three points with a pick-six in the fourth quarter.

Fortunately, unlike previous home games, the Nittany Lions stepped up on defense and got a stop when needed.

Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos had a monster game for the Nittany Lions, recording nine tackles and two sacks. True freshman linebacker Micah Parsons picked up seven tackles.

With the win, Penn State is now bowl eligible, moving to 6-2 on the season. Next up is a monster battle in Ann Arbor against Michigan.

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