Iowa (+14) at Penn State on Saturday night on CBS

[Cidsports]

Who is Iowa (3-0) heading into Beaver Stadium on Saturday for their B1G conference opener at Penn State (1-0 B1G East, 3-0)❓️

With TE #85 Luke Lachey injured, Iowa's strong TE room will lean on a former Michigan combination in Black & Gold.



Former Michigan TE #83 Erick All, Jr. is one of three TEs you will see the Hawkeyes use. Iowa had used 14 personnel on RB #2 Kaleb Johnson's TD run in Game 1.

● QB #12 Cade McNamara completed 19-of-29 pass attempts for 217 yards with three touchdowns at Penn State (Nov. 13, 2021, for Michigan). He is 15-3 as a starter, 1-1 against PSU.

● TE #83 Erick All, Jr. needs to breakout for Hawkeyes due to an injury at TE. Last time in Beaver Stadium, he returned from injury to start at Penn State (Nov. 13, 2021 for Michigan); he scored the game-winning touchdown on a 47-yard score as part of a four-catch, 64-yard day, with QB McNamara making the toss.



Iowa has played three games and a different RB has lead the Hawkeyes in rushing yardage in each of those games. RB #4 Lashon Williams went 12 carries for 145 against WMU, and he had a 25 yard TD reception.



The key to the game is a fast start for Iowa, which hasn't been too successful in this series, though the Hawkeyes are seeking their third straight win in this series.

A stat shown in Iowa's first road win '23. Iowa has won six straight at Iowa State and six straight on grass as a program.



Iowa returns five key playmakers from the 2021 win over Penn State at Kinnick.

● WR #89 Nico Ragaini posted four receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State, including game-winning 44-yard touchdown reception with 6:26 remaining in the game.

● captain DE #13 Joe Evans tallied four tackles in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State (two solo, two assists) and one QB pressure.

● DE #45 Deontae Craig had two tackles in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State, including one solo tackle for the lone QB sack for Iowa in that game, and one assist.

●DT #85 Logan Lee posted a season-high seven tackles in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State in 2021, including (three solo, four assists) with a shared tackle for loss.



Punting is winning for Kirk Ferentz over last two seasons. We all likely remember the 6-4 game in 2004 at Stadium, when Iowa elected to take the safety to hold on to victory.

● Let's not forget his game in 2021. P #9 Tory Taylor averaged 44.2 yards on nine punts in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State, with a long of 53 yards. Six punts were downed inside the 20, including five punts inside the 10, with just one touchback.



Iowa's new MLB and one of our new defensive captain's is #34 Jay Higgins who replaced Jack Campbell, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in first round.

His running mate at WLB is a Virginia grad transfer, #10 Nick Jackson who had 100+ tackles there before choosing to join DC Phil Parker's defense at Iowa.



Iowa's strengths are special teams (LaVar Woods is STC & head coach candidate), defense (DC Phil Parker is one of the nation's finest, great first half at Ohio State last year) and Kirk Ferentz in his 25th season.

Offense has been poor for two seasons, mostly due to poor offensive line play. The OL is showing shines of improvement, but McNamara hasn't been in sync, coming off an injury.



Penn State is favored by 14. Iowa has certainly found success dating back to Kirk Ferentz’s first B1G road win in 2000 in Beaver Stadium. Iowa won in 2020 during the pandemic.



The 2017 game was a Penn State's walk off win over Iowa. Iowa OC Brian Ferentz's first season as OC for his dad. Then, Iowa won last game at Beaver Stadium, as well, as last game played at Kinnick.



Have a good week

 

[CyphaPSU]

Here's a key to the game: Penn State needs to keep its starting quarterback healthy throughout.

 

[Midnighter]

Who is Iowa (3-0) heading into Beaver Stadium on Saturday for their B1G conference opener at Penn State (1-0 B1G East, 3-0)❓️

With TE #85 Luke Lachey injured, Iowa's strong TE room will lean on a former Michigan combination in Black & Gold.



Former Michigan TE #83 Erick All, Jr. is one of three TEs you will see the Hawkeyes use. Iowa had used 14 personnel on RB #2 Kaleb Johnson's TD run in Game 1.

● QB #12 Cade McNamara completed 19-of-29 pass attempts for 217 yards with three touchdowns at Penn State (Nov. 13, 2021, for Michigan). He is 15-3 as a starter, 1-1 against PSU.

● TE #83 Erick All, Jr. needs to breakout for Hawkeyes due to an injury at TE. Last time in Beaver Stadium, he returned from injury to start at Penn State (Nov. 13, 2021 for Michigan); he scored the game-winning touchdown on a 47-yard score as part of a four-catch, 64-yard day, with QB McNamara making the toss.



Iowa has played three games and a different RB has lead the Hawkeyes in rushing yardage in each of those games. RB #4 Lashon Williams went 12 carries for 145 against WMU, and he had a 25 yard TD reception.



The key to the game is a fast start for Iowa, which hasn't been too successful in this series, though the Hawkeyes are seeking their third straight win in this series.

A stat shown in Iowa's first road win '23. Iowa has won six straight at Iowa State and six straight on grass as a program.



Iowa returns five key playmakers from the 2021 win over Penn State at Kinnick.

● WR #89 Nico Ragaini posted four receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State, including game-winning 44-yard touchdown reception with 6:26 remaining in the game.

● captain DE #13 Joe Evans tallied four tackles in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State (two solo, two assists) and one QB pressure.

● DE #45 Deontae Craig had two tackles in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State, including one solo tackle for the lone QB sack for Iowa in that game, and one assist.

●DT #85 Logan Lee posted a season-high seven tackles in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State in 2021, including (three solo, four assists) with a shared tackle for loss.



Punting is winning for Kirk Ferentz over last two seasons. We all likely remember the 6-4 game in 2004 at Stadium, when Iowa elected to take the safety to hold on to victory.

● Let's not forget his game in 2021. P #9 Tory Taylor averaged 44.2 yards on nine punts in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State, with a long of 53 yards. Six punts were downed inside the 20, including five punts inside the 10, with just one touchback.



Iowa's new MLB and one of our new defensive captain's is #34 Jay Higgins who replaced Jack Campbell, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in first round.

His running mate at WLB is a Virginia grad transfer, #10 Nick Jackson who had 100+ tackles there before choosing to join DC Phil Parker's defense at Iowa.



Iowa's strengths are special teams (LaVar Woods is STC & head coach candidate), defense (DC Phil Parker is one of the nation's finest, great first half at Ohio State last year) and Kirk Ferentz in his 25th season.

Offense has been poor for two seasons, mostly due to poor offensive line play. The OL is showing shines of improvement, but McNamara hasn't been in sync, coming off an injury.



Penn State is favored by 14. Iowa has certainly found success dating back to Kirk Ferentz’s first B1G road win in 2000 in Beaver Stadium. Iowa won in 2020 during the pandemic.



The 2017 game was a Penn State's walk off win over Iowa. Iowa OC Brian Ferentz's first season as OC for his dad. Then, Iowa won last game at Beaver Stadium, as well, as last game played at Kinnick.



Have a good week

 

[PrtLng Lion]

TLDR

Penn State covers. 4-0

 

[LaJollaCreek]

As long as Brian Ferentz is still there....I'm feeling pretty good, pretty, pretty good about this White Out.

 

[Cidsports]

As long as Brian Ferentz is still there....I'm feeling pretty good, pretty, pretty good about this White Out.

He has one 41-20 win in Happy Valley, a 23-20 win and three losses in 2017-2019 that were all one possession games.



He is 2-3 as an offensive coordinator with 24-22 average score

His first year as OC, it took a walk off TD pass to garner his first loss in the series.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

He has one 41-20 win in Happy Valley, a 23-20 win and three losses in 2017-2019 that were all one possession games.



He is 2-3 as an offensive coordinator with 24-22 average score

His first year as OC, it took a walk off TD pass to garner his first loss in the series.

LOL...Iowa guy defending Ferentz as the OC.

 

[PSUSignore]

Update on the Brian Ferentz weekly drive for 25...

 

[marshall23]

Iowa wearing black pants so the $$$$ stains won't show.

 

[Grant Green]

Update on the Brian Ferentz weekly drive for 25...

Is the defense scoring half the points as usual?

 

[Nits74]

If ever there's a game, given the opportunity, Penn State will run it up.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

 

[Bvillebaron]

He has one 41-20 win in Happy Valley, a 23-20 win and three losses in 2017-2019 that were all one possession games.



He is 2-3 as an offensive coordinator with 24-22 average score

His first year as OC, it took a walk off TD pass to garner his first loss in the series.

Yeah and Iowa was getting boat raced 2 years ago before Clifford got hurt.

 

[Nits74]

Yeah and Iowa was getting boat raced 2 years ago before Clifford got hurt.

Wait a minute. Wasn't Clifford faking that injury?

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Wait a minute. Wasn't Clifford faking that injury?

No our coaching staff was showing how unprepared they were for a Clifford injury.

A coaching disaster of epic proportions.

 

[Calabrin]

No our coaching staff was showing how unprepared they were for a Clifford injury.

A coaching disaster of epic proportions.

The worst thing to come out of that debacle wasn’t the L to Iowa. It was the fact that the coaching staff learned nothing from it.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

No our coaching staff was showing how unprepared they were for a Clifford injury.

A coaching disaster of epic proportions.

Yeah as every D1 team always has a capabale backup....notice Roberson lost his job again this summer, but just got it back due to injury at UConn. He was green and froze...which can happen. If you remember prior to that Clifford and the team were slicing through Iowa so they looked pretty GD prepared, but lost due to a green backup early on who was only on the field due to a transfer. Oh well...it happens, but hang on to that I guess.

Yet last year when Clifford went down a true frosh came in on the road at night and handled it much better in game 1.....must have just been incredible coaching of epic proportions using your same logic. I think it's a bit more gray than an epic failure or epic success.....sometimes the guys taking the snaps actually matter too. I could be wrong, but Levis would have been the capable backup, but the portal/transfer bit us in the rear and it will again in time. It does to every team eventually in today's game and will again. Next up for discussion should DC have played against Iowa since we are bringing up this stuff....yikes.

 

[Classof09]

The worst thing to come out of that debacle wasn’t the L to Iowa. It was the fact that the coaching staff learned nothing from it.

Then why did Allar play a lot of snaps last year?

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Then why did Allar play a lot of snaps last year?

He had more snaps than any other backup QB that didn't lose a starter to injury or coaching change than any other backup QB in all of the P5 conferences. I swear PSU has a group of fans that think every other school in the nation is playing their backup QB's at crazy high rates.....it's just not the fact. It's a myth and an easy one to debunk, but people run with it.

 

[Classof09]

He had more snaps than any other backup QB that didn't lose a starter to injury or coaching change than any other backup QB in all of the P5 conferences. I swear PSU has a group of fans that think every other school in the nation is playing their backup QB's at crazy high rates.....it's just not the fact. It's a myth and an easy one to debunk, but people run with it.

We also have ‘fans’ that will ridicule the team and CJF for no reason and would seem to be happier if we lost than won

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Yeah as every D1 team always has a capabale backup....notice Roberson lost his job again this summer, but just got it back due to injury at UConn. He was green and froze...which can happen. If you remember prior to that Clifford and the team were slicing through Iowa so they looked pretty GD prepared, but lost due to a green backup early on who was only on the field due to a transfer. Oh well...it happens, but hang on to that I guess.

Yet last year when Clifford went down a true frosh came in on the road at night and handled it much better in game 1.....must have just been incredible coaching of epic proportions using your same logic. I think it's a bit more gray than an epic failure or epic success.....sometimes the guys taking the snaps actually matter too. I could be wrong, but Levis would have been the capable backup, but the portal/transfer bit us in the rear and it will again in time. It does to every team eventually in today's game and will again. Next up for discussion should DC have played against Iowa since we are bringing up this stuff....yikes.

I’m saying that the coaching staff could have helped him a lot more in the game. IIRC, we had 3-4 illegal procedure calls because of the shotgun and the crowd noise. Put him under center and get up to the LOS and snap the ball. Forget any audibles and changing the play call with 10 seconds left on the play clock. Throw your first pass or two to a back out of the backfield.

 

[AxisBoldAsKIrk]

Yeah and Iowa was getting boat raced 2 years ago before Clifford got hurt.

I think PSU was up by a whole touchdown when Clifford went down.

 

[Connorpozlee]

Man, Iowa is just a collection of people who are equal parts depressed and delusional. Worst state in the union.

 

[Calabrin]

Then why did Allar play a lot of snaps last year?

How many meaningful snaps did he play?

 

[PSUJam]

He had more snaps than any other backup QB that didn't lose a starter to injury or coaching change than any other backup QB in all of the P5 conferences. I swear PSU has a group of fans that think every other school in the nation is playing their backup QB's at crazy high rates.....it's just not the fact. It's a myth and an easy one to debunk, but people run with it.

It's not only that. These folks think that in putting in the back up to get him experience he's going to suddenly become better for the future. If the kid isn't putting in the work in the film room and off the field, there's a chance he's going to get in the game and stink up the joint. Great confidence builder! Then of course they can say it's the coaches fault he wasn't ready.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

It's not only that. These folks think that in putting in the back up to get him experience he's going to suddenly become better for the future. If the kid isn't putting in the work in the film room and off the field, there's a chance he's going to get in the game and stink up the joint. Great confidence builder! Then of course they can say it's the coaches fault he wasn't ready.

It’s easy to never be wrong after the fact. Roberson had snaps prior but that was game number 5 and 2 of them were tight so he didn’t get snaps in those games. Very typical though for anny program. Anyone can be a genius after the fact.

 

[Ram20]

I think PSU was up by a whole touchdown when Clifford went down.

This isn't accurate. Penn State was up 14-3 on Iowa's 14 yard line when clifford was hurt....after the subsequent fieldgoal it was 17-3.

 

[Midnighter]

It’s easy to never be wrong after the fact. Roberson had snaps prior but that was game number 5 and 2 of them were tight so he didn’t get snaps in those games. Very typical though for anny program. Anyone can be a genius after the fact.

In hindsight would the move have been to make Levis the starter (or try to keep him happy) and sort of dare Clifford to transfer (knowing he probably wouldn’t with his time in service and brother on the way)? Then have Clifford and Levis battle it out on the field and then picking the winner by year’s end knowing some QB help was on the way….?

 

[PSUJam]

In hindsight would the move have been to make Levis the starter (or try to keep him happy) and sort of dare Clifford to transfer (knowing he probably wouldn’t with his time in service and brother on the way)? Then have Clifford and Levis battle it out on the field and then picking the winner by year’s end knowing some QB help was on the way….?

Was it the Covid year when they benched Clifford and put in Levis and it was a colossal **** show?

 

[Grant Green]

This isn't accurate. Penn State was up 14-3 on Iowa's 14 yard line when clifford was hurt....after the subsequent fieldgoal it was 17-3.

And Yurcich was calling his best game of the season and Clifford was dialed in. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a huge swing in a football game.

 

[PSUriseANDfire]

38 false starts in a row

 

[PSUJam]

Found it.

WATCH: Sean Clifford enters off bench, throws second TD pass

...

247sports.com

 

[Midnighter]

Was it the Covid year when they benched Clifford and put in Levis and it was a colossal **** show?

Could be. Clifford was the right move - I’m just thinking of what strategy may have worked to keep both knowing you have the Human False Start as your backup.

 

[Woodpecker]

This isn't accurate. Penn State was up 14-3 on Iowa's 14 yard line when clifford was hurt....after the subsequent fieldgoal it was 17-3.

It was accurate - the Iowa poster said that he thinks it and, sadly, he actually does.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Ironically (sadly) the game is being shown on the Big 2 network right now.

 

[Thorndike2021]

Weather will be a factor in this one. Might be smart to take those 14 points.

 

[marshall23]

It’s easy to never be wrong after the fact. Roberson had snaps prior but that was game number 5 and 2 of them were tight so he didn’t get snaps in those games. Very typical though for anny program. Anyone can be a genius after the fact.

The best are right here.

 

[Midnighter]

The best are right here.

 

[Classof09]

How many meaningful snaps did he play?

See previous post - ‘He had more snaps than any other backup QB that didn't lose a starter to injury or coaching change than any other backup QB in all of the P5 conferences.’

 

[Ludd]

The worst thing to come out of that debacle wasn’t the L to Iowa. It was the fact that the coaching staff learned nothing from it.

This is a ridiculous take….Franklin played Allar a ton last year and Beau has gotten into every game so far this year, including the Illinois game which was not a blow out. What more should he do in your expert opinion?