It's very late, and I'm just getting all my thoughts together on this game. Obviously it was a sweet, sweet victory, made even more sweet by the fact that Clark all basically guaranteed a victory, then pretty much stunk it up after PSU's first 2 drives. Also, knowing the Penn State has had this game circled on the calendar since last year...the players, coaches, and fans were all dying for revenge...the white out was on (I loved seeing that little sea of gold in the corner)...and all broadcast nationally on ABC in prime-time and with GameDay there (by the way...thanks Corso for picking Penn State).
Iowa's Defense Dominates:
The real story of this game was defense, and really, hats off to both defenses because they were both excellent. In the end though it was Iowa's D that made the big, timely plays. The defensive line, led by Adrian Clayborn was fantastic. They were constantly in the backfield, wreaking havoc on Clark either with sacks, QB hurries, or just knocking him down.
I cannot say enough about Clayborn. He was practically unblockable, and though his stats don't show it (just 2 tackles) he was causing all sorts of problems for Penn State. Binns also had an excellent game...and was maybe even better than Clayborn (if you don't include that blocked punt return for a TD). Binns had 8 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and that big sack/forced fumble that resulted in the safety. Klug too...6 tackles, 2 for loss. Just a good effort by the d-line.
I thought the linebackers had their best game of the season as well. Angerer and Hunter combined for 26 tackles (14 and 12 respectively). They were also excellent against the pass doing a good job protecting the middle of the field. Angerer had a big interception and returned it 38 yards down the sideline and Edds had the game-sealing interception late in the 4th.
Overall, the defense was just remarkable. If you take away that first play (I can't believe Spievey got beat so bad...and where were the safeties?) Penn State did not do much offensively at all. Iowa held Royster to just 69 yards, and PSU only had 109 rushing yards total on the day. And, after the first 2 drives, Iowa held Clark to a misserable 94 yards on 6 of 23 passing. One the day, Clark's QB rating was just 81.04.
Special Teams are Special:
I've said it time and time again this year (maybe not enough on this blog, but I did write last night that special teams would be the difference maker), but the Iowa special tames are really good and a big advantage in close games. Donahue had a solid game, and his punt downed at the 5 led to the safety and he had another downed inside the 20.
Daniel Murray was just okay today, but the 2 field goals he made were definitely big (would have been a really good game if he hadn't missed that 42 yarder at the end of the first half). It was kind of fitting that the field goal to end that game was from 31 yards out, exactly the same distance as the game winner that year.
Adrian Clayborn's blocked punt and ensuing return for the touchdown was the play of the game. It turned momentum completely in Iowa's favor, it gave Iowa the lead for the first time and they would not relinquish it, and it was just awesome.
The Offense was Good Enough:
Stanzi did what Stanzi does: play bad to start the game (though he wasn't really that bad...how many dropped balls were there in the first half?), then play good (enough) in the second half and lead the Hawkeyes to victory. His stats weren't great, but he played well enough going 11-26 for 135 yards.
The running backs and offensive line are continuing to improve. Though Penn State's front 7 were very good all day, Iowa managed 163 yards led by Adam Robinson with 88. Especially in the 4th quarter when Iowa was putting the Nittany Lions away, the o-line was getting a good push and creating some decent holes. Robinson looked good on his 13 yard touchdown run, breaking a couple of tackles. I have been very impressed with his ability to get yards after contact for the second week in a row.
Best Team in the Big Ten?
Iowa has a good of argument as any team, that its the best in the Big Ten. Undefeated, won 8 in a row, knocked off Penn State in Happy Valley, amazing defense, good offense and special teams... Next week should be a win against Arkansas State, then if Michigan beats Michigan State, we have a serious battle for homecoming. Michigan does not have a good enough defense to challenge for the Big Ten title (Indiana should have won that game today if they only had a decent red-zone offense). Then come Michigan State who has looked bad, espeically on defense. Then Wisconsin, which will be a good test in Madison. A couple of "easy" games at home, before the game against Ohio State. At this point, it looks like that game could decide the Big Ten Champion. Man, I'm getting ahead of myself here, but an 11-1 seems very, very possible at this point and honestly 12-0 is not out of the question (though I seriously doubt that it will happen). If this team continues to play with the same ferocity on defense, and the offense continues to improve (which I think it has played better each week, PSU defense was just really good this week), then this team has a chance to be really special.