It took 11 years, but Kirk Ferentz finally has another home win against Penn State.
NicoRagaini's 44-yard touchdown with 6:26 left capped a 14-point rally and lifted Iowa to a 23-20 victory in a battle of Big Ten unbeatens.
Ferentz's Iowa squad entered the game against the Nittany Lions ranked No. 3 in the country and boasting one of the nation's top defensive units. It was the first top-5 Big Ten matchup not to feature Michigan or Ohio State since 1962.
Thatdefense, coupled with the environment in Kinnick Stadium, proved too much for No. 4 Penn State to overcome once quarterback Sean Clifford got knocked out of the game. Before his exit, he was 15-of-25 for 146 yards with two interceptions and a rushing touchdown.
MORE: Iowa children's hospital wave, explained
The Hawkeyes snagged three interceptions in the first half, but still trailed 17-3.
They were able to capitalize once the second half hit and Clifford was replaced by sophom*ore backup Ta'Quan Roberson. Roberson was rattled from the start and never really settled in or found a rhythm to counteract the Kinnick faithful.
Iowa finished with four interceptions, giving it a nation's best 16 on the season.
With Roberson leading the offense, Penn State got called for eight false start penalties and recorded just two first downs in the passing game.
Iowa's Spencer Petras completed 55 percent of his passes but did have two big-time touchdown throws, including the game-winning 44-yarder to Ragaini.
Penn State's defense had more sacks and tackles for loss, but it was Iowa's interceptions coupled with special teams play that propeled them to victory. The Hawkeyes got three big field goals and forced Penn State to start its drives at its own 21 on average, putting Penn State in poor field position for much of the game.
MORE: Penn State vs. Iowa betting odds, predictions
Sporting News is trackedlive scoring updates and highlights from Penn State vs. Iowa on Saturday. Check out complete results from the Week 6 college football game.
MORE: Watch Penn State vs.Iowa live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Penn State vs.Iowa score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | F | |
| Penn State | 14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
| Iowa | 3 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 23 |
Penn State vs. Iowa live updates, highlights
Final: Iowa 23, Penn State 20
7:43 p.m.: Penn State turns It over on downs with 2 seconds left and Iowa's won this game.
7:37 p.m.: INTERCEPTION IOWA. The Hawkeyes register their fourth pick of the game, and this one seems to be the nail in the coffin. Hawkeyes have first-and-10 from the Penn State 25 with 2:10 left in the game.
7:35 p.m.: Roberson finally tests his arm but overthrows three straight receivers and the Nittany Lions go for it on fourth-and-10 from their own 8.
7:32 p.m.: The Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions trade three-and-outs and Iowa punts it away from its own 48. Penn State takes over at its own 6 yard line.
7:27 p.m.: On fourth-and-3 from the Iowa 47, Roberson flips it to Keyvone Lee who only gets 2 yards. Iowa takes over from its own 47 with 3:39 left to play.
7:22 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN IOWA. The Hawkeyes strike quickly following the punt and Petras hits for 44 yards and a touchdown. Iowa 23, Penn State 20 with 6:26 to play.
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021TOUCHDOWN HAWKEYES 🔥
Nico Ragaini comes up HUGE for @HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/COYqsyeR9T
7:19 p.m.: Iowa takes over in Penn State territory following Stout's punt from his own end zone. First-and-10 for the Hawkeyes from the Penn State 44.
7:17 p.m.: Penn State gets driven back even more on an illegal chop block penalty followed by a false start. It's now third-and-29 from the Penn State 6 and the offense under Roberson just can't get anything going.
7:15p.m.: Another false start penalty for Penn State and it drives them back 5. It's first-and-15 from the 20.
7:11 p.m. FIELD GOAL IOWA. It's a four-point game after the 36-yard kick is good. Penn State 20, Iowa 16 with 8:08 left in the game.
7:11 p.m.: Petras is sacked on third-and-goal from the 10 for a loss of 8. Iowa's field goal unit is out.
7:09 p.m.: Spencer Petras hits Keagan Johnson for 41 yards and Iowa is well within striking distance now. First-and-goal from the Penn State 8.
7:04 p.m.: The Nittany Lions quickly punt it away out of the endzone. Stout boots it and Iowa starts at its own 50.
7:02 p.m.: Penn State jumps back a few feet inside the 1 on a false start.
6:58 p.m.: It's a three-and-out for Iowa as the Hawkeyes punt it away from their 46. Penn State takes over at its own 1 yard line.
6:56 p.m.: The fourth quarter isoff to a hot start for the Hawkeyes thanks to a 12 yard carry for Goodson. Well across midfield and marching.
End third quarter: Penn State 20, Iowa 13
6:50 p.m.: The final play of the third quarter is a 7 yard run by Charlie Jones. Fourth quarter starts with Iowa looking at second-and-3 from their own 22.
6:49 p.m.: The Nittany Lions' drive goes nowhere quickly and Iowa takes over at its 15 after the punt.
6:47 p.m.: Penn State takes over at its own 25 as the Nittany Lions look to respond with a score of their own.
6:44 p.m.: FIELD GOAL IOWA. It's back to a one-score game as the 48-yard kick is good. Penn State 20, Iowa 13 with 1:36 left in the third quarter.
6:43 p.m.: It's fourth-and-5 on the Penn State 30 and Kirk Ferentz brings out the field goal unit.
6:41 p.m.: On third-and-7, Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta hauls it in for 8 yards despite having a defender draped all over him.
6:38 p.m.: This time it's Goodson again and It's a big play for 18 yards. Hawkeyes cross midfield and are at the Penn State 46.
6:37 p.m.: Goodson with rushes of 8 and 3 yards to open the drive for Iowa following the field goal.
6:29 p.m.: FIELD GOAL PENN STATE. Jordan Stout nails the 44-yarder for Penn State and it's back up to a two score game. Penn State 20, Iowa 10 with 6:40 left in the third. That last Penn State drive was 11 plays and 42 yards but only took about three minutes off the clock.
6:29 p.m.: Roberson is sacked on third-and-6 from the Iowa 12. Sets up fourth-and-17 from the Iowa 26 and a 44 yard field goal for Penn State.
6:27 p.m.: Penn State really pushing the tempo and the pace and the Nittany Lions are already at the Iowa 15.
6:25 p.m.: Roberson takes it9 yards followed by Keyvone Lee for 4 and Penn State nears midfield.
6:21 p.m.: Penn State's defense comes up with a stop and Iowa punts it away to the Penn State 32. First down coming up for the Nittany Lions.
6:18 p.m.: Iowa up to its own 18 following a nice sequence but gets hit for a penalty. First-and-15 from the Hawkeye 13.
6:14 p.m.: Penn State goes three-and-out andpunts it away. Iowa takes over on its own 7 following a penalty.
6:12 pm.: The Nittany Lions take over from their own 25 following the touchback to begin the third.
6:11 p.m.: Penn State is slated to receive the kickoff here to start the third quarter. Looks as though Sean Clifford's day is over as he's in street clothes.
Halftime: Penn State 17, Iowa 10
5:57 p.m.: Halftime stats:
- Total yards: Penn State 192; Iowa 139
- First downs : Penn State 12; Iowa 10
- Third downs: Penn State 5 of 8; Iowa 4 of 10
- Passing: Penn State 16 of 28 passing, 151yards, 0 TDs, 3 INTs; Iowa 9 of 20 passing, 83 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: Penn State 13rushes, 41 yards, 2 TDs; Iowa 21 rushes, 56 yards
- Penalties: Penn State 5 penalties for 34yards; Iowa 1 penalty for 15 yards
- Turnovers: Penn State 3; Iowa 1
- Time of possession: Penn State 11:30; Iowa 18:30
5:50 p.m.: Penn State calls a timeout facing third-and-18 from its own 4 and the Nittany Lions knee it out to end the half.
5:46 p.m.: Iowa's interception can't be capitalized on and the Hawkeyes punt it away to the 11 yard line where Penn State takes over.
5:43 p.m.: IOWA INTERCEPTION. Iowa's third pick of the day is a big one on an overthrow by Roberson. Iowa takes over at its own 45 with 1:31 left in the first half.
5:41 p.m.: With the two-minute warning approaching, Iowa punts it away to the Penn State 3. Nittany Lions take over with 2:11 left backed up to their own endzone.
5:39 p.m.: Iowa is quickly across midfield as Petras hits tight end Luke Lachey for 11 yards to the Penn State 46.
5:38 p.m.: The injuries continue for Penn State's defensive unit, this time it's defensive back Jonathan Sutherland.
5:35 p.m.: Penn State punts it away on fourth-and-26 from their own 9. Iowa takes over at its own 36.
5:34 p.m.: Sean Clifford out of the game at the moment for Penn State. Backup Ta'Quan Roberson is in and this drive has been about as bad as any Penn State's had. Third-and-24 for Penn State from its own 11 and the Nittany Lions get hit for another false start.
5:26 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN IOWA. The Hawkeyes make it a one-score game as Petras finds Charlie Jones for 9 yards and the score.It's 17-10 Penn State with 7:08 left in the first half.
TOUCHDOWN, @HawkeyeFootball ! @spencerpetras finds Charlie Jones to get Iowa's first TD of the game pic.twitter.com/aYO2SFXrrc
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021
5:21 p.m.: Goodson takes it 4 yards to the Penn State 12 to set up second-and-6.
5:19 p.m.: Petras makes a great throw after being leveled. Chucks it 21 yards to Nico Ragaini and the Hawkeyes are back in the red zone at the Penn State 16.
5:13 p.m.: On third-and-3, Penn State gets flagged for defensive pass interference and it gives Iowa 15 yards and puts them close to midfield.
5:08 p.m.: FIELD GOAL PENN STATE. The Nittany Lions' trip to the red zone results in three points and they extend their lead with 12:31 left in the first half. Penn State 17, Iowa 3.
5:05 p.m.: Clifford continues his strong game on the ground and takes it 22 yards on third down to the Iowa 17.
5:03 p.m: Penn State opens the second quarter marching so far.
End first quarter: Penn State 14, Iowa 3
4:57 p.m.: Clifford hits the running back Noah Cain out of the backfield for 9 yards to the Penn State 48 to end the first.
4:55 p.m.: Iowa goes three-and-out and punts it away from its own 41-yard line. Dotson lets it bounce into the end zone for a touchback and Penn State takes over at its 25.
4:50 p.m.: Jaquan Brisker down on the field for Penn State after tackling Iowa's Tyler Goodson, who managed a 20-yard run.
4:47 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE. Sean Clifford takes it 7 yards on the QB draw and finds the end zone following the INT by Brisker. Penn State 14, Iowa 3 with 3:21 left in the first quarter.
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 9, 2021
4:44 p.m.: Clifford hits KeAndre Lambert-Smith in stride for 30 yards. Lambert-Smith banged up and down on the play as the game heads to a TV timeout.
4:42 p.m.: PENN STATE INTERCEPTION. The two teams trade interceptions on consecutive plays as Penn State's Jaquan Brisker picks off Petras. Penn State ball on the Iowa 40.
4:41 p.m.: IOWA INTERCEPTION. Clifford is picked off for the second time this quarter, this time on a deep ball to Jahan Dotson. Iowa takes over at its own 20.
4:38 p.m.: Clifford uses his legs for the first time and takes it 10 yards on third-and-7 for the first down. Penn State has it on its 42.
4:35 p.m.: The Nittany Lions will take over at their 29 following the Iowa punt.
4:33 p.m.: Penn State gets its second sack of the game as Curtis Jacobs drops Iowa's Spencer Petras for a loss of 2. Brings up third-and-13 for Iowa from its own 22 asthe Hawkeyes go three-and-out.
4:32 p.m.: Iowa's second series of the game starts with a run by Tyler Goodson for a 1-yard loss.
4:27 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE. The Nittany Lions go 75 yards on nine plays and Noah Cain caps it off with a 2-yard TD run to get Penn State on the board. Penn State 7, Iowa 3 with 8:37 left in the first.
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 9, 2021No problem for Noah Cain 💪
He gives @PennStateFball the first TD of the game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jFW6XWIml5
4:26 p.m.: Iowa gets flaged for a defensive pass interference and it brings up first-and-goal for Penn State from the Iowa 2.
4:24 p.m.: Clifford finds Parker Washington for 16 yards and Penn State is officially past midfield at the Iowa 32-yard line.
4:23 p.m.: Penn State's second offensive drive is going much better than its first as the Nittany Lions near midfield on some nice throws by Clifford.
4:18 p.m.: FIELD GOAL IOWA. Penn State limits the damage on the early INT and Iowa nails a 34-yard field goal for the first points of the game. Iowa 3, Penn State 0.
4:17 p.m.: On third down, Penn State's defense drops Petras for a sack. Loss of 9 yards on the play and Iowa lines up for the field goal.
4:15 p.m.: INTERCEPTION IOWA. Iowa brings pressure and with Sean Clifford backed up to his own endzone.He throws a pick and the Hawkeyes take over deep in Penn State territory.
4:13 p.m.: Penn State's defense holds and Iowa goes three-and-out on its first drive. Hawkeyes punt it away and Penn State takes over at its own 2-yard line.
4:08 p.m.: Tyler Goodson peels off a big run for 9 yards and on third-and-1 Iowa QB Spencer Petras takes it for the first down.
4:04 p.m.: Iowa will start the game with the ball on their 25 asPenn State kicks it away for a touchback.
What channel is Penn State vs. Iowa on today?
- TV channel: Fox
- Streaming: Fox Sports App, fuboTV
Penn Statevs. Iowawill air live on Fox starting at 4p.m. ET. You can stream the gamevia the Fox Sports App orfuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial .
Gus Johnson will man play-by-play duties, andJoel Klatt will serve as the color commentator.Jenny Taft will report from the sidelines.
Penn State vs. Iowa start time
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 9
- Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
The game will kick off at 4 p.m. ET from Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The last time the two teams faced off atKinnickStadium, Penn State won by a final score of17-12.
Penn State schedule 2021
| Game | Opponent | Date / Result |
| 1 | @ Wisconsin | W, 16-10 |
| 2 | vs. Ball State | W, 44-13 |
| 3 | vs. Auburn | W, 28-20 |
| 4 | vs. Villanova | W, 38-17 |
| 5 | vs. Indiana | W, 24-0 |
| 6 | @ Iowa | Oct. 9 |
| 7 | vs. Illinois | Oct. 23 |
| 8 | @ Ohio State | Oct. 30 |
| 9 | @ Maryland | Nov. 6 |
| 10 | vs. Michigan | Nov. 13 |
| 11 | vs. Rutgers | Nov. 20 |
| 12 | @ Michigan State | Nov. 27 |
Iowa schedule 2021
| Game | Opponent | Date / Result |
| 1 | vs. Indiana | W, 34-6 |
| 2 | @ Iowa State | W, 27-17 |
| 3 | vs. Kent State | W, 30-7 |
| 4 | vs. Colorado State | W, 24-14 |
| 5 | @ Maryland | W, 51-14 |
| 6 | vs. Penn State | Oct. 9 |
| 7 | vs. Purdue | Oct. 16 |
| 8 | @ Wisconsin | Oct. 30 |
| 9 | @ Northwestern | Nov. 6 |
| 10 | vs. Minnesota | Nov. 13 |
| 11 | vs. Illinois | Nov. 20 |
| 12 | @ Nebraska | Nov. 27 |
