Oct. 20, 2012
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Penn State at Iowa Postgame Notes
October 20, 2012
Penn State defeated Iowa tonight 38-14. The Nitany Lions snap a four-game losing skid to the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium, picking up their first victory in Iowa City since 1999. Tonight was the 25th game in the series; Penn State now leads the all-time series 13-12.
Tonight’s game was a sellout, its fifth of the season in five games. Iowa has sold out 60 of its last 62 games.
Tonight was Penn State’s last visit to Kinnick Stadium until 2016. The Nittany Lions and Hawkeye do not play the next two years and then Iowa travels to Penn State in 2015.
Jordan Cotton returned a kickoff a career-long 92 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. It marked Iowa’s first kickoff return for a touchdown since Derrell-Johnson Koulianos had an 88-yard return at Minnesota on Nov. 27, 2010. The 92-yard kickoff return ties for the 10th-longest in school history, tying Levi Mitchell (1969) and Henry Vollenweider (1939).
Louis Trinca-Pasat blocked his first career kick, a 43-yard Penn State field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. It marked the first time a Hawkeye blocked a field goal since Adrian Clayborn blocked a 38-yard attempt at Michigan on Oct. 16, 2010.
WR Keenan Davis caught his 100th career pass tonight. The senior had four receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown against Penn State. Davis’ career totals are 101 catches for 1,355 yards.
TE C.J. Diedorowicz caught a career high five passes for 35 yards.
Iowa’s defense collected two fumbles tonight. Tanner Miller recovered a fumble in the end zone in the third quarter, while Christian Kirksey recovered and returned a fumble 45 yards in the fourth period. Iowa scored seven points after the two takeaways. The Hawkeye defense has collected at least one takeaway in six-of-seven contests this season and 71 of its last 82 games, dating back to 2006. Iowa had two turnovers tonight (one fumble and one interception), both in Iowa territory. The Nittany Lions scored a touchdown after the first turnover. Iowa forced a fumble at the goal line following a James Vandenberg third-quarter theft.
PK Mike Meyer missed a 49-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter to snap a streak of 13 consecutive field goals made. He also missed a 37-yarder in the second period. He is 14-of-17 this season and 42-of-54 for his career in field goal attempts. Meyer made two PAT’s tonight, extending his school record streak to 70. Meyer increased his career scoring to 215 points to surpass Sedrick Shaw and Jeff Skillett for seventh in Iowa career scoring tonight.
RB Greg Garmon led the team in rushing tonight. The true freshman rushed eight times for 27 yards. Iowa has had a different leading rusher in five of its last nine games, dating back to last year. (Coker at Nebraska, 18-87; Canzeri vs. Insight Bowl, 22-58; Bullock vs. Northern Illinois, 30-150 and Iowa State, 22-53; Weisman vs. UNI, 24-114; Weisman vs. Central Michigan, 27-217; Weisman vs. Minnesota, 21-177; Weisman at Michigan State, 26-116; Garmon vs. Penn State, 8-27)
Iowa was 1-4 in the red zone tonight. They scored on an 18-yard touchdown pass, missed a field goal, turned the ball over on downs and threw an interception. The Hawkeyes have scored on 164 of the last 191 red-zone possessions (112 TDs and 52 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Penn State was 5-6 in the red zone, scoring four touchdowns and a field goal. Iowa forced and recovered a fumble on the goal line on the Nittany Lions’ fourth red-zone possession.
Iowa had two players post double-digit tackles tonight. LB James Morris had 12 stops and has registered double-digit tackles five times this year. Christian Kirskey also made 12 stops.
Hyde tied a career high with three pass break-ups. He also added six tackles.
Instant replay was used twice today.
1) A Penn State running play that was ruled a touchdown was upheld in the third quarter.
2) A Penn State fumble at the goal line that was recovered by Iowa in the end zone was challenged by Penn State and upheld following review.
Penn State won the toss and elected to defer. The Hawkeyes have started on offense five times (Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Minnesota, Michigan State and Penn State). The Hawkeyes have started on offense in 140-of-169 games. Iowa is 16-13 in the games it has started on defense under Ferentz.
For the second-straight game, Iowa did not score on its opening possession. The Hawkeyes have scored on their opening possession five of seven times this season. Penn State did not score on its opening drive. The Nittany Lions are the third Hawkeye opponent not to score on their first possession (Northern Illinois, Minnesota and Penn State).
True freshman Greg Garmon started his first career game at running back in place of the injured Mark Weisman. Garmon becomes the third different Hawkeye to start a game this season (Damon Bullock, Mark Weisman and Greg Garmon). Weisman saw limited action in the first half.
CB B.J. Lowrey and RG Austin Blythe saw action tonight after missing previous two games due to injury. RB Damon Bullock did not see action for the fourth consecutive contest.
LT Brandon Scherff was injured in the first quarter and did not return to the game. The sophomore started all seven games this season.
Iowa falls to 6-4 in night games in Kinnick Stadium.
Iowa hits the road next Saturday for a contest at Northwestern. Kick-off is slated for 11 a.m. at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill.