Recent News | Popular News | Subscribe

GAME NOTES: The fifth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions are looking for payback, as they are out to avenge last year's loss to Iowa in both teams Big Ten opener at Beaver Stadium this weekend.

The Lions had a perfect season going in 2008 and a national title game appearance was within reach until the team was upended, 24-23, on a last- second field goal by Iowa in early November. PSU was ranked second at the time of the loss and that kind of defeat will certainly stick with a club for a long time.

"They deserved to beat us last year," said head coach Joe Paterno. "Hopefully, we can play a little better than we did last year. Part of that was the fact that they played so well. They played a heck of a game against us."

The loss was obviously not forgotten by Paterno, whose troops come roaring into this on the heels of a 3-0 start to the season. PSU has outscored its first three opponents by a combined score of 90-20 and all three victories came at home, where the team has won 30 of its last 32 games. Last weekend, the Lions cruised past instate rival Temple, 31-6, as they improved to 43-11 since the start of the 2005 season.

As for the Hawkeyes, their victory over PSU last season started a winning streak that has now reached seven games following a 3-0 start to the campaign. The streak is tied for the fourth best in the nation and includes a hard fought 27-17 win over Arizona last weekend.

"Certainly we're thrilled with the victory," stated head coach Kirk Ferentz. "I thought a great, great team effort on all counts, and, from the start of the game, our fans were just outstanding."

Iowa has settled in after a near upset to Northern Iowa in the season opener and the Hawkeyes will now try to continue their recent success against PSU. The Lions lead the all-time series with the Hawkeyes, 11-10, but Iowa has come out on top in six of the last seven meetings, including four of the past five at University Park.

The Hawkeyes did a terrific job of wearing down Arizona last weekend, as they possessed the ball for nearly 38 minutes behind 42 rushing attempts and a 10-of-19 effort on third down conversions. The team gained 133 of its 338 total yards on the ground in the 27-17 victory and is now averaging 137.0 rushing ypg on the season.

Redshirt freshman Adam Robinson led the way with his first career 100-yard effort, toting 18 times for 101 yards and a pair of scores. The performance came one week after true freshman Brandon Wegher broke the 100-yard plateau and the duo should provide stability in the backfield for years to come. Wegher also got involved last weekend, notching 46 yards and a score on 17 carries.

Quarterback Ricky Stanzi did his part as well against Arizona and he threw for 205 yards on 20-of-32 pass attempts. The leader of this team, Stanzi has now completed 60 percent of his pass attempts this season and he is averaging 214.7 ypg through the air. It is a solid start and an even better one when considering he hasn't had all his weapons to work with. Both wideout Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and tight end Tony Moeaki missed last game due to injury and they are key parts of the offense.

"When guys go down, we lose guys, it's going to be part of the season," stated Ferentz. "And it's just really pleasing, gratifying to see younger guys step up and take advantage of that, and that was a big part of the game."

Johnson-Koulianos (hamstring) and Moeaki (ankle), who is tied for the team- lead with 11 catches, are listed as questionable for this weekend.

Iowa's defense was certainly on top of its game last weekend, as the unit made several big plays while limiting Arizona to a mere 253 total yards. The Hawkeyes permitted just eight first downs and held Arizona to only a 2-of-12 performance on third down opportunities.

"Our defense did a great job," Ferentz said

The Hawkeyes picked off their sixth pass of the season in the win and also added two sacks to double their total in that department. Iowa, which is allowing only 303.3 total ypg on the year, was led by Adrian Clayborn last weekend. The defensive end recorded six tackles, a forced fumble and sacks in an all-around performance. Tyler Sash also got into the mix with his team-best fourth interception of the season and he currently leads Iowa with 25 stops for the year.

The Lions finally got their ground attack going this past weekend, as they used 186 rushing yards to breeze past Temple. Evan Royster ignited the attack with 134 yards and a score on 19 carries, giving him the seventh 100-yard game of his career. It was the best performance of the season for Royster, who had just 102 rushing yards in the first two games combined.

"It was only a matter of time," Royster said about his 100-yard effort. "Our offensive line blocked real well today and we had some big plays."

PSU also got solid play from quarterback Daryll Clark, as he threw for 167 yards on 16-of-26 tosses. He even threw for a pair of scores, giving him 14 touchdown passes in his past five games. Clark is working with some new receivers, but that hasn't stopped him from throwing for 760 yards and eight scores through the first three games.

Derek Moye has become one of Clark's most dependable receivers and the 6-5 sophomore leads PSU with 13 receptions and 204 receiving yards on the season. Last weekend, he hauled in four balls that went for 31 yards and a score.

PSU has held its first three opponents to seven points or less, a feat it last accomplished all the way back in 1996. The unit had no trouble pushing Temple around last weekend, allowing just 251 total yards. Only 46 of those yards came on the ground and the Lions have been stout versus the run, giving up just 46.3 ypg.

The defense has also done a good job in bringing down opposing quarterbacks for 10 sacks this season, but the unit has forced just four turnovers and Paterno would certainly like to see more big plays from the group.

"I'm disappointed we're not making more plays. I would like to see us get around the ball a little bit better."

Josh Hull paced the defense with 13 stops last weekend, while Sean Lee had 12 tackles and a sack. Lee, the team's top tackler (32) on the season though, left the last game with a sprained left knee and is listed as questionable for this weekend.

PSU has waited a long time for this game, so look for the team to come out fired up and with something to prove. With that said, don't expect Iowa to back down, as the Hawkeyes are a solid group in their own right and have had success versus the Lions. However, behind the support of their home crowd and a stout performance by the defense, the Lions should emerge with the victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Penn State 24, Iowa 13