No. 17/16 Penn State Holds Off No. 18 Iowa
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – A gutsy effort by senior quarterback Trace McSorley, big stops on defense and three 40-plus yard field goals by true freshman kicker and Iowa native Jake Pinegar led No. 17/16 Penn State past No. 18 Iowa, 30-24, in Big Ten football action Saturday in Beaver Stadium.
Iowa (6-2, 3-2) threatened late, but the Penn State defense (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) came up with two big stops in the final minutes to preserve Penn State’s lead. Senior safety Nick Scott halted a drive at the Nittany Lion 2-yard line with his second interception in as many weeks with 3:18 remaining, and then after Iowa regained the ball at its own 23 with 1:23 remaining and managed one first down, but time ran out after three-straight incomplete passes brought up fourth down. On the fourth down play, Iowa’s Nate Stanley was forced to pitch in desperation to offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs gained 15 yards but was pulled down by Penn State defenders Micah Parsons and John Reid to end the game.