|
Iowa will host Penn State Saturday night
Posted: 10.19.2012 at 2:37 PM
|
(AP) -- Penn State (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten) at Iowa
(4-2, 2-0), 7 p.m. CT. (BTN)
Line: Iowa by 3
Series Record: Tied 12-12
WHAT'S AT STAKE
A 3-0 start for each team, which almost nobody saw coming. The Nittany Lions would carry a five-game winning streak into next week's tussle with Ohio State if they win. Iowa is looking for its first three-game winning streak of the season.
KEY MATCHUP
Iowa QB James Vandenberg vs. Penn State's defense. Vandenberg has thrown just two TDs in six games.
But with star back Mark Weisman hobbled by a sprained ankle, Vandenberg must make Penn State respect Iowa's passing game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Penn State. WR Allen Robinson. He's got five more TD grabs than Iowa's entire receiving corps.
It'll be up to Iowa senior Micah Hyde to contain the explosive Robinson.Iowa. RB Greg Garmon.
He's expected to get the start in place of Weisman. But Garmon has just 35 yards on 14 carries and hasn't yet shown he can thrive as a lead back.
FACTS & FIGURES
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 8-3 against Penn State...The Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes have developed a healthy rivalry over the past two decades, but they won't meet again until 2015..
.Penn State is 7-5 against Iowa in Iowa City even though it hasn't won at Kinnick Stadium since 1999.
Both Ferentz and Nittany Lions coach Bill O'Brien worked for New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick in the NFL, and Hawkeyes assistant Brian Ferentz worked with O'Brien last season in Foxboro.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)