Penn State football: 5 Nittany Lions that are key to victory over Iowa

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Micah Parsons #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after recording a sack against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

4 of 6

ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Garrett Taylor #17 and Micah Parsons #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions tackle Terry Wilson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the first quarter of the VRBO Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. Micah Parsons, LB

Penn State needs the defense to come out and be the elite unit that they know they can be once again. The last time the Lions were on the road, they pitched a shutout in the 59-0 win over Maryland. Unfortunately, their star linebacker Micah Parsons didn’t contribute much.

The lack of production from Parsons didn’t have anything to do with his actual play, though. The young linebacker laid what was considered to be a ‘dirty hit’ on Maryland’s quarterback, which forced Parsons out of the game with an ejection.

Penn State didn’t need him to keep going, but this week they can’t have that same mishap come about. Parsons currently leads the thriving defensive unit in tackles, and he’s breaking out this season as he’s been expected to. With Parsons on the field, Penn State is a dangerous defensive team, and they can plainly put a stop to Iowa’s passing and rushing attack with a complete effort from Parsons.

Home/Penn State Football