Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/88446
KEY MATChuPS P E N N S TAT E V S . I OWA | B Y E R I C T H O M A S W H E N P E N N S T A T E H A S T H E B A L L PENN STATE RUNNING GAME VS. PENN STATE RUNNING GAME 138.3 YPG, 3.5 YPC IOWA RUN DEFENSE 117.3 YPG, 3.4 YPC RUN DEFENSE IOWA THE LOWDOWN The Nittany Lions can hit you with a little bit of everything. Bill Belton brings speed and versatility, while Zach Zwinak and Michael Zordich bring power. Expect the latter two to get their numbers called frequently on Saturday because of the type of game this figures to be. Joe Gaglione has been dominant on the defensive front for the Hawkeyes and leads the team in tackles for loss with eight. Penn State will certainly have its hands full with the senior left end, but it's had some success on the ground and will need to maintain that momentum this weekend. EDGEEven PENN STATE PASSING GAME VS. IOWA PASS DEFENSE PENN STATE PASSING GAME 251.8 YPG, 10.9 YPC IOWA PASS DEFENSE 199.8 YPG, 11.1 YPC THE LOWDOWN Matt McGloin's touchdown-interception ratio is exceptional at 12-2, and he's been spreading the ball around with relative ease. Figure on seeing some double-tight ends sets featuring Kyle Carter and Matt Lehman, and a bit of play-action to test Iowa's secondary. Allen Robinson might find it difficult to get open against the double coverage he's likely to receive. Iowa's secondary is led by Tom Donatell and Greg Castillo, who have two interceptions apiece. Gaglione has four sacks and leads the pass rush. EDGE Penn State W H E N I O WA H A S T H E B A L L RUNNING GAME VS. IOWA PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE PASSING GAME VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE IOWA IOWA RUNNING GAME 154.7 YPG, 4.5 YPC PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE 126.8 YPG, 3.7 YPC THE LOWDOWN Mark Weisman has only lost 9 rushing yards all season, meaning he keeps the offense moving forward every time he touches the ball. The sophomore is averaging a robust 6.4 yards per carry, but whether he'll be available after suffering a sprained ankle last week against Michigan State remains to be seen. Iowa's second-leading rusher, Damon Bullock, has missed the past three games with a concussion and is likely out. The backfield attrition is a serious problem for Iowa. But if it's going to win, it will need to shorten the game using the running attack. EDGE Penn State IOWA PASSING GAME 189.0 YPG, 10.1 YPC PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE 212.3 YPG, 9.8 YPC THE LOWDOWN In 195 passing attempts this season, James Vandenberg has thrown only two touchdown passes. His top target is Keenan Davis, who is averaging 11.7 yards per reception. You would expect that Vandenberg would want to test a Penn State secondary that has often been cited as the defense's weakest link. But while the Nittany Lions certainly lack depth, they have been reasonably effective against the pass during their four-game win streak. Will Vandenberg look to test the defensive backs? Stranger things have happened in these meetings. EDGEEven O T H E R M A T C H U P S SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWN Iowa's Mike Meyer was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week last week after hitting four field goals in the Hawkeyes' overtime victory over Michigan State. Meyer will proba- bly be called upon in this one, too. On the flip side, Penn State's Alex Butterworth is getting better, but the Lions seem reluctant to test Sam Ficken, who has missed 6 of 9 attempts. EDGE Iowa THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN It will be interesting to see how Penn State returns after a bye week. It will be equally in- teresting to see how Iowa responds after its emotional comeback victory against Michigan State. You might expect momentum to be on the Hawkeyes' side in their matchup against the Lions, but it was on Northwestern's side in its visit to Beaver Stadium and look how that turned out. EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF THE LOWDOWN Kirk Ferentz certainly had Joe Paterno's number. Will he turn out to have Bill O'Brien's number, too? That's an open question. The Nittany Lions' new staff doesn't look as though it's going to get outcoached very often, but Ferentz has pushed all the right buttons in the past against Penn State. Something has to give. EDGEEven O C T O B E R 1 7 , 2 0 1 2 3 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M