Penn State Nittany Lions (4-2, 2-0) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (4-2, 2-0)
Saturday, October 20th, 5:00pm kickoff PST
TV: Big Ten Network
Come on down to Buckley’s on Queen Anne this Saturday night and join the WWIC in watching the Hawkeyes play host to the Nittany Lions of Penn State. It’s the first night game (and possibly only) of the season and they will be striping Kinnick Stadium once again with fans in alternating black and gold attire. Saturday night marks the 25th meeting between Iowa and Penn State; the...
series is even, 12-12. Iowa has won three of the last four and eight of the last 10 meetings against Penn State. PSU enters Saturday's game on a four-game winning streak after losing its first two, while Iowa has won its last two games. Both teams are 2-0 against Big Ten competition.
The Hawkeyes defense continues to put up impressive numbers led by lineback Anthony Hitchens who is having a sneaky great year. Hitchens has posted double-digit tackles the last 5 games and currently leads the nation, yes the nation, in tackles per game with 13. He has The Hawkeyes rank 14th in the country in turnover margin (+7), 19th in total defense (317.2), 21st in scoring defense (17.2), 28th in pass defense (199.8), 30th in pass efficiency defense (114.8), 31st in rushing defense (117.3), 34th in passes intercepted (7), 52nd in turnovers gained (11), and 53rd in tackles for loss (5.8).
Penn State is coming off a bye week after staging a 22-point 4th quarter in a comeback win against Northwestern two weeks ago. Their team seems to be rallying together in the wake of all of the stuff they’ve gone through in the offseason and PSU QB Matt McGloin has been putting up some impressive numbers. McGloin, who leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (249.8), TD passes (12, tied with Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez) and is second in completions (136) and yards (1,499).
Finally, in career milestone news, Kirk Ferentz claimed his 100th victory as Iowa's head coach with last week's thrilling 19-16 double-overtime triumph at Michigan State. Ferentz is the 12th Big Ten coach with 100 victories. His overall record stands at 112-89 in 17 years as a head coach.
Fingers crossed the Hawks keep it rolling! Hope to see you Saturday night and Go Hawks!
