Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/89041
POSTGAME REPORT WEEK 8 P E N N S T A T E 3 8 , I OWA 1 4 THE GAME AT A GLANCE Steve Manuel KEEPING THE MOMENTUM Belton finished with a career-high 103 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Iowa. Penn State steamrolls the Hawkeyes and makes a statement to the Big Ten RUNNING STRONG MATT HERB | M A T T@B L U E WH I T E O N L I N E . C O M IOWA CITY, Iowa – Could it be that Penn State is the best team in the Big Ten? Not so long ago, you would have gotten laughed out of any sports bar in North Amer- ica just for posing such a question. The Nit- tany Lions were coming off the worst off-season in college football history, and few were expecting mediocrity, much less excel- lence. But now? After five victories in a row, it doesn't seem so absurd anymore to suggest that Penn State might just be on par with Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin. No one at Iowa is laughing, that's for sure. The Nittany Lions romped past the Hawkeyes, 38-14, at Kinnick Stadium, turn- ing in their most complete effort of the sea- son. Bill O'Brien kept both feet mashed down on the gas pedal of his "NASCAR" offense, as Penn State ran 90 plays and totaled 504 yards. The defense, meanwhile, gave up only 209 yards and didn't surrender any points O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 2 1 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M GOOD NEWS Where to begin? Penn State outgained Iowa by nearly 300 yards. The offense was ruthlessly efficient, while the defense punished the Hawkeyes every chance it got. BAD NEWS The special teams continue to be Penn State's biggest liability after a 92-yard kickoff re- turn by Jordan Cot- ton and yet another (partially) blocked kick. THE TAKEAWAY Penn State looks to be peaking at just the right time, espe- cially with Ohio State headed to Beaver Stadium for the season's most anticipated game.