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

Keyvone Lee (RB)

So far this season, Keyvone Lee looks to be Penn State Football’s best running back.

Lee is averaging the most yards per carry on the team with 6.2. Plus, he also averages the most yards per catch out of all of the running backs with 11.

Against Indiana, he showed some ability to be elusive in the open field, despite his 240 pound frame. He also looks to be the best back at finding the hole and getting upfield, which is something that this running back group struggles with at times.

This team cannot afford to be one-dimensional on offense against a defense as talented as the on Iowa will roll out on Saturday, so they need to find a rhythm running the football. Lee will likely get his share of opportunities against the Hawkeyes, and he needs to take full advantage of it.

One area where the Nittany Lions have really struggled to run the ball is in short yardage situations. Lee is their most powerful back, so he needs to use his strength to pick up those tough yards, especially late in the game.

He also needs to make sure that he can be a reliable check-down option for Sean Clifford, because Iowa will certainly bring some pressure and force Clifford to get the ball out quick.

Finally, the sophomore running back did have a fumble in the Auburn game, which he was lucky to get back. So he needs to makes sure that when he gets his touches against the Hawkeyes, that he is holding onto the ball, because Iowa will take full advantage of a fumble.

If Lee (or really any of the running backs) can get into a rhythm running the ball against Iowa, this team has a great chance to get big time win on the road against a highly ranked opponent.