These 3 Nittany Lions deserve praise after a disheartening loss against Iowa

On Saturday, Penn State football looked to finally get back in the win column after dropping its last three games to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern. However, this team was going to look a little bit different as former head coach James Franklin was fired following their latest loss, and quarterback Drew Allar sustained a season-ending injury. The Nittany Lions (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten) ultimately fell to Iowa (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten), 25-24.

There were hopeful moments for the blue and white, and these three Nittany Lions deserve recognition for their gritty performances in the face of adversity.

Penn State's running back continued his stellar play, picking up another two touchdowns and 145 total rushing yards on 28 carries. Allen led the ground game for the Nittany Lions, and it wasn't much of a competition. The closest to him came from running back Nicholas Singleton, who ran for 15 yards on six carries. Penn State clearly chose its top back for the remainder of the season, prioritizing production.

Allen's first touchdown of the night came in the first quarter. The Nittany Lions decided they were going to lean on Allen early on as quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer adjusted to his newfound starting role under center. Handing the ball off to the senior rusher, Allen drove into the end zone and sparked momentum for the Nittany Lions that got them off to a hot start. Penn State grabbed an early, 7-0 lead.

Allen was the most consistent player on offense on Saturday. Though offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki attempted to spread the touches out and diversify the offense, Allen was the tried-and-true playmaker. He was the offensive highlight for Penn State.

Safety Zakee Wheatley started Saturday night off strong for the Nittany Lions. On the first drive of the game, quarterback Mark Gronowski sought to convert on third-and-seven. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said before the game, according to Peacock, that he emphasized third- and fourth-down defense to his unit. Wheatley understood perfectly.

Cornerback Zion Tracy assisted in Wheatley's big-time play, deflecting Gronowski's pass to Hawkeyes wide receiver Jacob Gill. With the ball brushing off Tracy's fingertips, Wheatley stepped up and caught the ball mid-air to put Penn State in control. This interception ultimately led to Allen's opening score of the game.

Wheatley posted 10 tackles on Saturday, one interception, and one quarterback hurry.

When Iowa attempted to respond to the Nittany Lions' touchdown, Wheatley closed down opportunities to find the end zone. On first-and-10, Gronowski intended to pass to his right, but he had no time to survey options as Wheatley came up on his quickly. The next play, Wheatley and Tracy came together to tackle running back Xavier Williams after a gain of four. Iowa was forced to kick a field goal, keeping Penn State in the lead.

At the end of the second quarter with under one minute to go until halftime, Wheatley logged another major play. Gronowski connected with running back Kamari Moulton on a short pass and Moulton rushed forward with a lot of open grass to use. Wheatley saved Penn State from allowing the Hawkeyes to convert on first-and-10. The drive ended in a blocked field goal attempt that fell in favor of the Nittany Lions.

The Penn State special teams unit had a rather quiet day on Saturday, but was loud when the team needed it to be.

Right before halftime, Iowa called a questionable field goal attempt from 66 yards out on third-and-two. Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam started off the thrilling play, blocking the kick and sending the ball back in the open for a teammate to recover it. Cornerback Elliot Washington II jumped on it immediately, scooping the ball up and running it 35 yards into the end zone without looking back.

It was the perfect time for the Nittany Lion to show up big on special teams. Even though the energy wasn't fading from the team, Penn State was still down 10-7. The blocked field goal into a touchdown return invigorated the Nittany Lions, especially interim head coach Terry Smith. Rather than being down three, they went into the locker room up by four.