Penn State injury outlook: Two Lions leave Iowa hurt, a Vega Ioane note, and morePenn State loses interim coach Terry Smith’s debut, 0-4 in Big Ten
Despite the change at the helm, the result remained the same for Penn State, which suffered its fourth consecutive loss on Saturday.
The Nittany Lions, playing their first game under interim coach Terry Smith after firing James Franklin earlier this week, squandered a fourth-quarter lead against Iowa and lost 25-24. Their record drops to 3-4 this season – and 0-4 in the Big Ten.
And their next game will be against No. 1 Ohio State after a bye week.
Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski rushed for a career-best 130 yards and two touchdowns, and Caden Wetjen scored the go-ahead touchdown on an 8-yard run with 3:54 minutes remaining in the game for the Hawkeyes (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten).
The Nittany Lions’ four-game losing streak ties the longest in AP Poll history for a team ranked in the top two in the season opener. The last team to do so was Iowa in 1961, which was ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason and started 4-0 before losing four consecutive games.
“I think we gave it our all. There wasn’t anyone who didn’t play great. We just have to execute well,” Smith said.
On Saturday, Iowa trailed 24-19 with 4:56 remaining after Penn State’s Ryan Barker made a 32-yard field goal, but Gronowski ran 67 yards on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, paving the way for Wetjen’s run a play later. Gronowski missed the 2-point conversion pass, giving the Nittany Lions a chance to take the lead.
Iowa’s defense stopped Penn State near midfield, sacking quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer on fourth down at the Penn State 49 and forcing an incomplete pass attempt.
Gronowski then sealed the victory by running 14 yards on third down, giving the Hawkeyes time to run out the clock.
Gronowski scored on a 1-yard touchdown run at the end of the first half, then added a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give the Hawkeyes a 21-16 lead.
Ketron Allen rushed for 145 yards and scored two touchdowns for Penn State.
Iowa kicker Drew Stevens’ 66-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Xavier Gilliam with six seconds remaining, giving the Nittany Lions a 14-10 lead at halftime. Elliot Washington II picked up the loose ball and ran 35 yards for a touchdown.
Grunkemeyer struggled at times, throwing two interceptions, one to Xavier Nwankpa, which he returned to Penn State’s 1-yard line, setting up Gronowski’s first touchdown.
“I’m really proud of those guys and the way they played,” Smith said. “We just have to improve our game so we can finish the game.”
Penn State last lost four consecutive games in the 2020 season, starting 0-5. This is the Nittany Lions’ fourth 0-4 start in the Big Ten since joining the conference in 1993.
penn state vs iowa
iowa vs penn state
penn state score
iowa football
iowa football schedule
iowa hawkeye football
penn state iowa
iowa hawkeyes football
iowa penn state game
penn state game today
where to watch penn state nittany lions football vs iowa hawkeyes football
penn state football score
where to watch iowa hawkeyes football vs penn state nittany lions football
iowa
hawkeye football
iowa game
psu vs iowa
iowa penn state
iowa hawkeyes
mark gronowski
psu football
iowa score
what channel is penn state on today
psu score
penn state football schedule
kaytron allen
penn state nittany lions football vs iowa hawkeyes football match player stats
penn state nittany lions football
kirk ferentz
penn state football tv
psu game
how to watch penn state game today
iowa vs penn state football
penn state vs iowa prediction
penn state score today
iowa football score
penn state iowa score
penn state football game
where to watch penn state game today
what channel is the iowa game on today
iowa game today
penn state interim head coach
penn state iowa game
psu iowa
iowa football game
what channel is the penn state game on today