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: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with fans following the match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 12, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

A. . . . COACHING

It was another great week for the Penn State coaching staff. Despite giving each running back a drive of their own to start the game, they adjusted accordingly and ended up giving Noah Cain 18 more carries than the other three by the game’s end.

In addition, the offensive staff did a good job of getting Sean Clifford going when he had zero yards in the first quarter. The short passes and screen pass worked well.

Penn State also managed the game well at the end of the game, as they were able to correctly run out the clock and not allow Iowa to regain possession.

This was James Franklin’s first road win against a ranked opponent in his coaching career. He was previously 0-11.

As Franklin said in HBO’s 24/7 video, the foot can’t come off the gas for any of the players or anyone else on the coaching staff. There’s still a lot of the season left, and this team has a good chance to do something special.

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