Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/747654
PLAYER OF THE GAMESaquon Barkley continues to amaze. The sophomore Nittany Lion running back dazzled throughout the evening against Iowa, eclipsing 1,000 yards for the season be- fore the end of the first half and finish- ing the game with 211 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns. PLAY OF THE GAMEThe Nittany Lions already owned a 27-7 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter, but in the immediate aftermath of Troy Apke's in- terception, Penn State offensive coordi- nator Joe Moorhead went for the dagger. Setting up the Hawkeyes on the play action, Trace McSorley found Barkley all alone on the sideline, and he dashed into the end zone for a 44-yard touchdown. BEST PASSMcSorley didn't need stel- lar, pinpoint throws to torch Iowa on Saturday night. Many of his targets were that open in what would turn out to be an 11-for-18, 240-yard, two- touchdown passing performance, bol- stered by another touchdown and 40 yards on the ground. BEST RUNIn the second quarter, Barkley broke off a 57-yard touchdown carry, first outracing the Hawkeye de- fense, then weaving through traffic to take a big gain and turn it into a mo- mentum-changing play. BEST CATCHSaeed Blacknall started off the game's scoring, reeling in a 19- yard TD reception early in the first quarter while expertly keeping his feet in bounds at the back of the end zone. BEST SACKPenn State hadn't found its way to Iowa quarterback C.J. Beat- hard at any point in the first half but came through in a big way to open the second. With Beathard dropping back on third-and-long, Nittany Lion defen- sive end Evan Schwan simply bull- rushed his way into the backfield to drop the visiting signal-caller. An un- blocked Matt Nelson threw a wicked shot on McSorley on the ensuing Penn State possession. BEST HITWhether it was a result of Iowa safety Brandon Snyder or Barkley going airborne, the Nittany Lion run- ning back flipped head over heels on a 9-yard carry on the game's opening drive, drawing an audible gasp from the Beaver Stadium crowd. BEST EFFORTStaring down a fourth down attempt by Iowa in the game's crucial early moments, Penn State's de- fense delivered. Linebacker Jason Cabinda met C.J. Beathard over the top, forcing the Iowa signal-caller back- wards for a turnover on downs. BEST RETURNMiles Sanders didn't waste time in getting the Lions out to a hot start. Finding his hole quickly, Sanders burst 48 yards upfield to give the offense outstanding field position. JUDGMENT CALLS N O V E M B E R 6 , 2 0 1 6 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 4 N A T E B A U E R | N B A U E R @ B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M