Who Needs to Step Up for Penn State Football’s Showdown vs Iowa?

No. 4 Penn State Football travels to Iowa City this weekend to take on the No. 3 ranked Hawkeyes. What players need to make an impact for the Nittany Lions to knock off one of the top teams in the country?

Outside of all of the players mentioned below, anyone who plays special teams for Penn State Football will play a huge role in this game.

Feld position will be crucial, against Iowa. Jordan Stout will play a huge role with kickoffs and punts, as well as anyone on kick/punt coverage to not allow a big return to give the Hawkeyes good field position.

Along with obviously being important for the offense, Jahan Dotson will also play a huge role as a punt returner. Whoever returns kickoffs, whether it be John Lovett or Devyn Ford, will also be huge. If any of these guys can break off a big return to give the Penn State Football offense good starting field position, it would really help to win this game.

So obviously special teams is very important in this matchup.

But, here are some guys on offense and defense that will need to have big games if the underdog Nittany Lions hope to knock off the Hawkeyes this weekend. 

Sean Clifford (QB)

Iowa leads the Big Ten in interceptions with 12, which is almost double the amount of the next best team. They are great at forcing mistakes, and even better at taking advantage of those mistakes.

Through five games this season, Sean Clifford has thrown three interceptions. Only one has been a bad throw (decision to throw), and one was not his fault at all.

This will be the best, and most opportunistic, defense that this team has faced so far this year. If Sean Clifford makes mistakes, the Hawkeyes will capitalize. If Iowa gets a turnover and a short field, their offense can do some damage. If they don’t get a turnover, their offense will struggle.

Take a look at these numbers to support that;

Penn State might struggle against Iowa’s pressure, especially when they run stunts. When he is pressured, Clifford needs to remain calm and not force throws. He is great at using his feet to extend plays, and he will need to to that against the Hawkeyes.

Plus, if/when he does get sacked, or when he is picking up yards on the ground, he will need to be sure not to fumble the ball. He has done a great job of that so far this year, and it will need to remain that way.

If Clifford plays mistake-free football, Penn State Football will win this game.