Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State vs Iowa Position Grades

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Kevin Givens (30) reacts with teammates linebacker Brandon Bell (11) and defensive tackle Robert Windsor (54) following his sack of Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (not pictured) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The Nittany Lions dismantled Iowa Saturday night at Beaver Stadium, 41-14.

Another week, another dominating win for the Penn State Nittany Lions. For a team that has played its best football in the second half of games much of the season, this was a complete game performance.

From the opening kick that Miles Sanders took back to near midfield, you could just feel that it was going to be a good night. Penn State scored quickly on the opening drive and would lead the rest of the way.

The offense had another great night, racking up nearly 600 yards and even improved upon its third-down efficiency, converting 50 percent on the night. The defense was smothering, holding the Hawkeyes to 30 yards on the ground, well below their season average of 168 yards per game.

My prediction before the season was 8-4 and I stuck with that at midseason. But now, I don’t see any team beating Penn State the rest of the way except for Penn State themselves. 10 wins is a high probability now with a good chance at a New Years Six bowl game.

Let’s take a look at how the positions played Saturday night. To say the least, there weren’t many complaints. On to the grades!

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) drops back to pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks

Trace McSorley was solid again Saturday night against a team that plays pretty good defense.

McSorley went 11-for-18 for 240 yards and tossed a pair of touchdowns. He also added another one on the ground and carried the ball a total of 14 times for 40 yards. It seems like Joe Moorhead will continue to allow McSorley to run as it fits against the opponent.

In the fourth quarter with the game in hand, McSorley handed off to backup Tommy Stevens on a jet sweep and Stevens bullied his way into the endzone. Stevens later took snaps and finished with five carries for 70 yards and that touchdown.

This offense is so fun to watch right now. Most will talk about running back Saquon Barkley, but McSorley is a big reason why this offense is clicking. It took awhile for the team to learn the system, but now it’s paying off big time.

Grade: A

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Ben Niemann (44) defends during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs

This is Saquon Barkley’s world and we are all just living in it. I’ve said it many times before, but what can the kid not do?

Barkley ended his night with 20 carries and 169 yards, highlighted by a 57-yard scamper to the end zone. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry and added a 44-yard touchdown reception. He also crossed the 1000 yard mark for the season.

There is starting to be some Heisman talk in the Penn State fan base. While it would be nice if he ended up in New York City for the ceremony, I don’t think he can win it this year.

Miles Sanders, Mark Allen and Andre Robinson all got carries too and the Penn State rushing attack finished with 359 total yards on the ground. It was a pretty impressive night and the plus in the grade is for Barkley being Barkley.

Grade: A+

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Mike Gesicki (88) dives for the end zone as Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Bo Bower (41) defends during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends

It was a solid performance for the receivers against Iowa.

Chris Godwin led the group with four catches for 87 yards. Saeed Blacknall only had one catch, but it was a nice 19-yard grab in the back of the end zone to open up the scoring. He even did that against Iowa’s All American Desmond King.

Mike Gesicki had four catches for 65 yards and had a touchdown called back with his knee touching inside the one. The Lions would score a play later on McSorley’s run. In fact, outside of the McSorley run, that drive was the Gesicki show, with three consecutive catches from the tight end. He seemed to have shaken off the injury that hampered him against Purdue.

Grade: B+

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans react from the stands against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

It seems the talk of the offensive line being a liability on this team has now disappeared.

The Lions had to face some adversity along the line as right tackle Brendan Mahon went down early in the game and Chasz Wright had to step up. The line didn’t seem to miss a beat and only gave up one sack on the night. For the vast majority of the night, McSorley had plenty of time to throw, and the line opened up some great holes for the running backs. There was rarely a negative yardage play.

Another commendable performance by this line and a thumbs up for Matt Limegrover for getting his unit ready to play.

The minus is only for the sack, but that’s almost nitpicking.

Grade: A-

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Kevin Givens (30) sacks Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

An outstanding night for the whole front four rotation along the defensive line.

Thirty yards. That’s the total amount of yards Iowa gained on the ground and in large part that was due to the front four. There were not many holes to run through for Iowa and their longest run from scrimmage was six yards. This is the first time since joining the conference that the Lions held consecutive conference opponents to under 50 yards rushing.

There weren’t any stand out statistic numbers along the line, just a workman’s effort among every one. Kevin Givens led the group with four tackles, including a sack. Evan Schwan had two tackles and a sack. Tyrell Chavis and Ryan Buchholz combined for a sack.

Just a solid evening overall and Iowa could get little going because of the great effort.

Grade: A

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back LeShun Daniels Jr. (29) runs with the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Bell (11) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers

Jason Cabinda’s leap to stop Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard on a 4th-and-short early in the first quarter really set the tone for this group.

Cabinda led all Lions with eight tackles, including a half tackle for loss. He was all over the field, but the negative was he took a couple of 15-yard penalties.

Cabinda’s backup, Brandon Smith, also tallied four tackles, with Brandon Bell and Manny Bowen collecting three tackles each. Koa Farmer also had three tackles and collected a sack that Beathard never saw coming from his blindside.

Combined with the defensive line, the front seven was solid all night long.

Grade: A-

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) gestures to the crowd during the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Secondary

If you want to have a weak spot on the night, it goes to the secondary. But they weren’t really that bad at all.

The secondary allowed Iowa 204 yards through the air. I guess their yards had to come from somewhere while being stuffed on the ground. Iowa’s two touchdowns did come from the passing game, but one came when the game was well in hand.

The Lions’ secondary kept the big plays to a minimum and also picked up a turnover when cornerback Troy Apke stepped up with a big interception with Iowa driving. That set up a score, as the next play McSorley threw a touchdown pass to Barkley.

Grade: B+

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Miles Sanders (24) returns the opening kick off as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Joshua Jackson (15) makes a tackle during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams

Miles Sanders’ opening kickoff return to near midfield really set the tone early that it was going to be a night dominated by Penn State.

Punter Blake Gillikin only had two punts on the evening, but put both inside the 20 and averaged 40.5 yards per kick. Joey Julius kicked three of his seven attempts into the endzone for touchbacks and the kickoff coverage was pretty solid, especially against dangerous return man Desmond King.

Tyler Davis made two field goals, but had another blocked. He hasn’t had a true miss yet with his two misses being blocks. DeAndre Thompkins had a bizarre moment by taking a knee at the 5 on a kickoff return, but the game was well in hand at that point.

Grade: B+

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks around Beaver Stadium prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Coaching

Another solid week for this coaching staff. James Franklin and company have really turned this team around after the Michigan loss.

I don’t have any gripes with the playcalling. Joe Moorhead is masterful and light years ahead of former offensive coordinator John Donovan from the last two seasons. Brent Pry showed again he knows how to call a defense.

The team was prepared in all three phases.

I want to point out the text that Franklin sent his team after it came out this past Tuesday the Lions were ranked 12th in the playoff rankings. It just said “Iowa Iowa Iowa Iowa”. He kept his team focused, and it sure showed Saturday night.

Grade: A