No. 3 Iowa rallies past No. 4 Penn State to remain undefeated (2024)

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Perhaps the biggest game of the season did not disappoint, as No. 3 Iowa defeated No. 4 Penn State 23-20 in a top-5 matchup.

Penn State jumped in front early, taking a 17-3 lead behind two rushing touchdowns from RB Noah Cain and QB Sean Clifford. However, the game changed when Clifford exited the game with an injury in the second quarter. QB Ta'Quan Roberson replaced Clifford and struggled in a relief effort, completing just 35 percent of his passes for 34 yards and two interceptions.

Iowa's interceptions of Roberson were two of four on the day. The four interceptions give the Hawkeyes 10 total in the last two games, the most in the Big Ten in the last 25 years. While Iowa's offense struggled to capitalize off turnovers (3 points), QB Spence Petras made timely plays as he tossed two touchdowns. An underrated weapon for Iowa was punter Tory Taylor; his nine punts for 398 yards controlled the field-position battle.

The 23-20 victory marks the 12th straight win for the Hawkeyes, marking the longest win streak since the 2015 Big Ten West champion team. The win is also Iowa's first top-5 win since defeating No. 3 Ohio State in 2017.

Looking ahead, Iowa does not play another ranked team in its remaining regular-season schedule. The Hawkeyes control their destiny in the Big Ten.

In an AP top-5 matchup and Big Ten battle, Iowa has defeated Penn State 23-20.

See final stats below.

Iowa CB Matt Hankins interecepted Penn State QB Ta'Quan Roberson on 4th-and-10. It's the fourth Hawkeyes interception of the game. After Iowa received celebration penalties, it will get the ball at the Penn State 40-yard line.

Penn State has one timeout left. If Iowa gets a first down, they win the game.

BALL-HAWKEYES!@HawkeyeFootball comes up with its FOURTH INT of the day! pic.twitter.com/QBn36V8mmv

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021

On 4th-and-3, Iowa CB Matt Hankins flied up to make a huge tackle on a swing pass to Penn State RB Keyvone Lee. Iowa will take over on downs.

3:39 remains in the fourth quarter.

NOT TODAY 😤@HawkeyeFootball comes up with a huge 4th down stop! pic.twitter.com/qySebjsvtL

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021

Iowa has taken the lead for the first time since the score was 3-0 after a 44-yard, one-play touchdown drive. QB Spencer Petras found WR Nico Ragaini on a cross-field pass, giving Iowa its longest play of the day. For Petras, its his second touchdown pass of the day.

TOUCHDOWN HAWKEYES 🔥

Nico Ragaini comes up HUGE for @HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/COYqsyeR9T

See Also

Penn State vs. Iowa final score, results: No. 3 Hawkeyes get strong defensive and special teams showings to knock off No. 4 Penn State | Sporting News

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021

Iowa adds a 36-yard field goal to pull within four points. It's K Caleb Shudak's third field goal of the day. Iowa began this drive at the 50-yard line, making it to the Penn State 8-yard line after a great catch and run by WR Keagan Johnson.

Johnson would not be brought down 😤😤

What a play for @HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/dC9Zzz954u

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021

We are now in the final quarter of regulation with Penn State leading Iowa 20-13. Just a touchdown separates the third and fourth ranked teams in the country entering the final frame.

Check out the stats through three quarters below.

Iowa made a 48-yard field goal to make this top-5 matchup a one score game. The Hawkeyes trail 20-13 after a 10-play, 45-yard drive. The drive began with a heavy dose of RB Tyler Goodson; he carried the ball on the first four plays, gaining 29 yards.

Penn State opens the second half with a 44-yard field goal. QB Ta'Quan Roberson played well coming out of halftime, completing two passes for 17 yards while rushing for 26 yards on the drive. Iowa LB Deontae Craig stopped the Penn State drive with a sack on an Iowa blitz.

🦁 @PennStateFball adds a FG to extend their lead to 10 points pic.twitter.com/aCmYnkcBuD

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021

Penn State leads Iowa 17-10 after the first half. The story of this first half was injuries and interceptions.

During the first half, the following Penn State players were injured: DL Davon Ellis, DL PJ Mustipher, S Jaquan Brisker, QB Sean Clifford, S Jonathan Sutherland. While some players have returned, the biggest injury question mark for the Nittany Lions entering the second half is whether or not Sean Clifford will make his return. For Iowa, top cornerback Riley Moss suffered an injury during the first half.

The first half of this game saw four total interceptions; Penn State's defense grabbed one interception while Iowa's defense snatched three passes out of the air. The Hawkeyes now have forced 19 turnovers this season; they lead the nation in the category entering the game. CB Riley Moss snagged his FBS leading 4th-interception in the second quarter.

Despite the turnovers, Penn State leads by a touchdown entering the second half thanks to two touchdown drives of 75 and 35 yards, respectively. To score in the second half, the Nittany Lions may have to turn to backup quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson, who replaced the injured Clifford in the second quarter.

Penn State will receive the second-half kickoff.

Two quarters are in the books! Penn State leads Iowa 17-10 after the first half. See first half stats below

CB Riley Moss snagged his fourth interception of the season, this time intercepting backup-quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson. In total, the Hawkeyes have three interceptions today. Unfortunately for Iowa, Moss suffered an injury celebrating his interception.

ANOTHER @HawkeyeFootball INTERCEPTION! pic.twitter.com/ZhesMIkCGD

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021

After taking a hit, Penn State QB Sean Clifford exited the game, heading into the locker room. His replacement at QB isTa'Quan Roberson.

Sean Clifford is headed to the locker room after taking a hit by Jack Campbell

(via @MattRandazzo) pic.twitter.com/8wNgJCGIt6

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 9, 2021