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Penn State Football vs. Iowa: 3 PSU keys to victory

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Nov 14, 2020; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Shaka Toney (18) grabs the facemask of Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Shaka Toney (18) grabs the facemask of Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 7: Will Levis #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions warms up before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium on November 7, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 7: Will Levis #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions warms up before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium on November 7, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Quarterbacks vs the Iowa Secondary

Franklin was non-committal in naming a starting quarterback for Saturday at his weekly press conference, but did say he had conversations with both Sean Clifford and Will Levis and mentioned turnovers as something they need to clean up.

Clifford’s early miscues have put Penn State into first half holes that have proved too insurmountable to overcome, especially early in games vs Indiana and Nebraska.

Penn State has given up 33 points off turnovers this season, which does not bode well against a Iowa defense which is second in the Big Ten in interceptions with eight.

Iowa’s defense is arguably the best the Nittany Lions will have faced to this point. The Hawkeyes are second in the conference in passing yards allowed, second in sacks, and fourth against the run. A player to watch for in Iowa’s secondary is junior safety Jack Koerner, who leads the team with three interceptions.

Whoever gets the nod at quarterback this week,  it will come with a big challenge.

If it is redshirt sophomore Will Levis, expect a much more run heavy offense, and more quarterback runs. Levis did throw for 219 yards against Nebraska, while also running for 61 yards. Levis and freshman Parker Washington seemed to have a good rapport going, as Washington caught five passes for 70 yards, a connection that should excite Penn State fans.

If Levis can play turnover free football and keep Penn State from falling behind, it will allow offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca to stick to the game plan and not have to abandon the run and play with such urgency and angst early in the game.

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