Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions vs. Iowa

Penn State Football: Grading the Nittany Lions vs. Iowa

By Dylan Burd | Oct 15, 2019

IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 12: Quarterback Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scrambles on a keeper in the second half in front of linebacker Nick Niemann #49 and defensive end A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 12, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

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IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 12: Wide receiver K.J. Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs up the field in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 12, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

A. . . . SPECIAL TEAMS

The MVP of the Iowa game other than Noah Cain and Robert Windsor was certainly Blake Gillikin, who repeatedly pinned the Hawkeyes inside their own 20-yard line all night. Three of Gilikin’s punts were inside the 10-yard line, including two within the five.

Forcing an offense that has struggled all year to go over 80 yards on a drive in order to score a touchdown was a huge aspect of this game. The only time Iowa did it was with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter.

In addition, Jake Pinegar hit both extra points and his only field goal attempt of the night. Most importantly, the Nittany Lions didn’t allow a bizarre special teams play to impact them negatively, which always seems to happen when they play Iowa.

Penn State also only had one penalty on punt returns, something they struggled with the last two games. Overall, it was a great night for the Penn State special teams.

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