Penn State played hard and at times played well, but it wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding.
Iowa pulled it out, 25-24 at home.
Penn State drew first blood on a 10-play, 35-yard scoring drive that ended with a 1-yard run by Kaytron Allen on 4th and goal. The drive was set up by an interception by Zakee Wheatley, which was tipped by Zion Tracy.
Iowa made it 7-3 with a field goal on its next possession, and then missed a field goal to keep it there.
The last two minutes ended up being quite eventful.
First, Iowa DB Xavier Nwankpa intercepted Grunkemeyer and returned it to near the goal line. Iowa QB Mark Gronowski snuck it in three plays later to give Iowa its first lead.
66-yard field goals are hard to make, and this is especially true for college kickers.
But Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz decided to give Drew Stevens a shot.
Not only did it not work, it ended up with Penn State scoring a touchdown on a block by Xavier Gilliam that Elliot Washington took all the wayc giving Penn State the lead at the halftime buzzer.
Penn State got the ball to start the second half, and took advantage, driving 75 yards in 10 plays, ending with an eight yard touchdown run by Kaytron Allen.
Iowa responded with a touchdown drive that ended with Gronowski’s second rushing touchdown.
After stuffing Penn State on a 4th and 1 inside its own territory, Iowa got another field goal to make it 21-19.
Penn State responded with a field goal to push the lead to five.
On the next drive, Iowa scored on two plays. The first being a 67-yard run by Gronowski and the second being an eight yard run by Wetjen that proved to be the winning score.
It only gets tougher from here. Penn State has its second bye week, then takes on No. 1 Ohio State on the road.
