2023 Penn State football film review: Iowa

For the first time since 2000, Iowa was shut out, and this time, it came at the Penn State White Out. The 31-0 victory moved No. 6 Nittany Lions up in the rankings for the first time all season.

The Hawkeyes, on paper, might have provided the toughest defensive look, but Penn State was able to navigate an offense through several waves in the running and passing game.

Mike Bolger and Amanda Vogt detail the plays that stood out from the 15th full-stadium White Out.

Amanda

Plays we liked: 2nd&10 PSU 30 – Cade McNamara completes a pass to Erick All for what should’ve been a first down before Dani Dennis-Sutton and Curtis Jacobs forced and recovered the fumble.

The defense’s four turnovers were some of the defining moments of the ranked matchup. Each one caused fans in Beaver Stadium to grow louder, and hopes of the Hawkeyes considerably diminished.

After receiving a field position already in Nittany Lion territory, Iowa attempted to enter the red zone. McNamara dished a quick pass inside to All, who worked through the blue and white to reach a first down, but when tackled by Dennis-Sutton, he failed to maintain possession.

Jacobs fell on top of the loose ball, and Penn State returned on offense to eventually score its first points of the game and go up 3-0.

Plays we didn’t like: 2nd&12 PSU 3 – Drew Allar finds Kaytron Allen on a quick pass to the left for a loss of two yards.

While Penn State’s offense built off the momentum the defense sparked, its first few possessions were shaky. On the opening drive, the Nittany Lions took the field at their own 5-yard line after a 45-yard punt by Troy Taylor, and Penn State was denied a first down.

On this play, Allar connected with Allen, who made the completion just over the goal line and was tackled for a loss of two yards; this nearly could have resulted in a safety.

Before making the throw, it appears that Allar starts to scan the field for other targets, but the Hawkeyes had each one covered; however, if you watch the right side of the field, KeAndre Lambert-Smith is running a slant and has more separation from his defender.

Because of how quickly Allar gets rid of the ball, he failed to notice Lambert-Smith coming through the middle — just taking a couple of seconds to check all options on the field could have resulted in positive yardage.

Unique play: Punt recovered by Penn State keeps drive alive

Special teams played a factor in the shutout, specifically to start the second quarter to return Allar and the offense to the field.

Penn State was initially halted at its own 24-yard line, but Riley Thompson’s 37-yard punt hit off a Hawkeye’s back, and Curtis Jacobs recovered the ball at the Iowa 39.

This pivotal special teams moment set up the blue and white’s first touchdown when Allar connected with tight end Khalil Dinkins.

Micheal

Plays we liked: 1st & 10 from the Iowa 25 – Chop Robinson strip-sack

Penn State was up 24-0 at the end of the third quarter, but fans were still waiting for that final statement play to solidify the game. That defining play came on the first snap of Iowa’s offensive drive after giving up another Tyler Warren touchdown.

The Hawkeyes came out with a three-wide receiver set to the right, one receiver to the left, five offensive linemen on the line and a running back next to the quarterback in the backfield. Penn State, in a man-to-man with a safety over the top and a linebacker shadowing the middle, rushed five defenders.

Robinson was on the near-side tackle, where he got a fantastic jump off the line. The junior then ducked past Mason Richman as Iowa’s quarterback, Cade McNamara, took a massive drop back for Robinson to leap and force the ball out.

Adisa Isaac recovered the fumble as it hit the ground, and the entire stadium erupted into the loudest cheer it had all night. Robinson’s strip-sack is the play of the game for the Penn State defense.

Plays we didn’t like: 2nd & 4 from the Penn State 45-yard line – Deontae Craig tackles Allen immediately behind the line

Tied at 0-0 in the first quarter and the Penn State offense looking stiff as ever, the Nittany Lions had their normal lineup on the line of scrimmage with Theo Johnson on the far side to block. As Iowa stacked the box with six defenders, Allar snapped the ball and handed it to Allen, who drifted up to the left.

As Olumuyiwa Fashanu pulled from his left guard spot, Johnson ran out to the second level of the defense and left Craig untouched into the backfield. Craig pushed Allen back five yards before the sophomore running back was able to fight for an extra three and make it a third and manageable.

The offense struggled at the beginning of the game, and this missed assignment was ugly. The offense did not pick up the first down and had to go for it on fourth and one, which was only attainable by getting behind the offensive line to push Allar past the first down markers.

Unique play: 3rd & Goal from the Iowa three-yard line – Drew Allar throws across the field to Tyler Warren for a touchdown

After an explosive run by Nicholas Singleton to set the offense up in the red zone, Penn State began to stall out in front of the end zone. With the score 10-0 in the third quarter, the Nittany Lions looked to pull away from Iowa to grab their second Big Ten win of the season.

Penn State came out in a unique formation with seven players on the line of scrimmage, with Warren and Johnson on opposite sides. Allar went under center with Allen and Khalil Dinkins behind him and Singleton ready in the backfield.

Off of the snap, Allar faked the handoff to Singleton and rolled out to his right. Allen ran parallel with Allar at the goalline as Johnson came from the far side of the field to the back of the end zone of the play action.

With both Allen and Johnson locked up in the end zone, the offensive line bought time for Warren to peel off of his block and head to the far side of the field away from everyone. Allar looked immediately away from his first two reads and lofted one across the field for Warren to put the Nittany Lions up by 17.

This play design left the Iowa defense scrambling to get all of its assignments right and left Warrn wide open for Penn State’s second touchdown of the day.

Micheal Bolger is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mpb6233@psu.edu.

Amanda Vogt is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email amandaevogt@gmail.com