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The Sunday Afternoon Quarterback #6: Surviving the Kinnick Graveyard of Ranked Teams

October 13, 2019 / 17 Comments
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#10 Penn State Nittany Lions 17 – #17 Iowa Hawkeyes 12

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Kinnick Stadium. A stripe out. The infamous pink locker room. Primetime on a Saturday night. This creates an atmosphere that inspires fear in ranked teams that visit Iowa. In 2008, I watched as #3 Penn State’s national title hopes were lost on a last second field goal to a 5-4 Hawkeye team. In 2010, #5 Michigan State came to Kinnick and walked out being beaten 37-6. The 2011 season saw #13 Michigan defeated by an unranked Hawkeye team. In 2016, an unranked Iowa team defeated #2 Michigan on a last second field goal, a win that would help set up Penn State’s Big Ten Championship that year. The year 2017 would see #4 Penn State barely escape Kinnick Stadium on a fourth and game touchdown pass from Trace McSorley to Juwan Johnson, but #3 Ohio State wouldn’t be as lucky, suffering a 55-24 loss ending their chances at the College Football Playoffs.

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So as I settled in Saturday night to watch the game, apprehension and possibly a little fear may have set in. This game was Penn State’s first real test of the season and clearly not the ideal situation to have to fight for their standing. But in a admirably fought game, Sean Clifford showed stiff resolve in leading the Nittany Lions to James Franklin’s first road victory over a ranked team as the Penn State head coach. This is the sixth straight victory over Iowa, the longest streak in the series history.  

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The first four series showed that this game was going to be a hard fought defensive battle with the teams trading punts back and forth until Iowa was finally able to move the ball. Starting at their own 33 yard line, Nate Stanley moved the Hawkeyes down field mostly by passing the ball as the Lion defense would hold Iowa to 70 yards rushing for the game. The drive stalled at the Penn State 29 yard line and Iowa settled for a 47 yard Keith Duncan field goal. Iowa 3-0.

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The teams traded punts over the next two series before Clifford got the Penn State offense moving. Starting at his own 15 yard line after a holding call on the punt return, he engineered a 15 play 85 yard drive that ended with a 22 yard touchdown pass to his favorite target KJ Hamler. Hamler jumped high over two defenders from three yards out, cartwheeling in the air before landing on his neck and head in the end zone. Penn State 7-3.  

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Iowa looked to answer with a score of their own. Starting at their own 29 yard line, Stanley began moving them downfield. Tyler Goodson broke through the line for a 29 yard gain, setting up the Hawkeyes at Penn State’s 29 yard line. The Nittany Lion offense held, bringing out Keith Duncan for his second field goal attempt of the evening. Duncan would miss wide right on the 44 yard attempt. Penn State 7-3.

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Penn State would be unable to do anything with the football after the miss, punting back to Iowa with under two minutes left in the half. The Hawkeye offense put together their best drive of the game marching 84 yards in 1:26. Stanley hit Ihmir Smith-Marsette for a 36 yard completion, giving them a first and goal at the Lion 4 yard line. Once again, Robert Windsor and the Penn State defense held there forcing a 24 yard Duncan field goal to end the half. Penn State 7-6.

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Three straight punts began the second half before Penn State capitalized on a Tyler Goodson fumble. Jan Johnson recovered in the red zone at the Iowa 16 yard line. A Journey Brown run and a KJ Hamler reception set up a first and goal at the 6 yard line. A holding call on Will Fries moved Penn State back to the 16 yard line. Clifford hit Pat Freiermuth for what was initially called a touchdown but the call was reversed after an official review. Quite a terrible review, by the way, as you could clearly see the ball cross the goal line before his knee went down, placing the ball at the 1 yard line. Another holding call pushed Penn State back to the 11 yard line. Sean Clifford took it in himself on the next play before another holding call negated that touchdown. Finally Jake Pinegar came in to hit a 33 yard field goal. Penn State 10-6.  

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Back to back punts set up Iowa at their own 4 yard line. A third down pass interference call on John Reid gave Iowa a first down. On the next play, Stanley dropped back to pass and with Robert Winsdor in his face overthrew his receiver and right to the hands of Jaquan Brisker. Penn State would take over at the Hawkeye 35 yard line and need only 6 plays to increase the lead. Sean Clifford and Noah Cain were the only ones to touch the ball on the drive with Cain taking it in from 5 yards out. Penn State 17-6.

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Nate Stanley wasn’t finished yet though as he moved the Hawkeye offense 87 yards in 12 plays, finding a leaping Brandon Smith for a 33 yard touchdown with 2:31 left in the game. Penn State 17-12. Instead of kicking it onsides, Iowa kicked it deep and elected to play defense and understandably so with Penn State’s inability the last couple seasons to just be able to run out the clock with the lead against good teams. This time though Noah Cain would finish the game getting a first down on third and three to run out the clock and survive the Kinnick Graveyard. If you ever want to a witness a game at the Graveyard, you can check out RV rental Iowa for the best tailgating options.

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Next week Penn State will take on Michigan in the annual White Out game. 

Until then, WE ARE…

Keeping it on the edge,

Jeff and Shelbee

My husband, Jeff, is a lifelong Penn State fan and chronic armchair quarterback. By default the rest of our family are Penn State fans as well. We have many choices in life, this is not one of them. We are…

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

***Many thanks to Julia and Lisa of SmartChicks for helping me out with today’s photos!

Outfit Details: Puffer Vest-Old Navy / Top-Kohl’s / Skirt-Thrifted / Boots-JustFab / Necklace-DSW / Tights and Earrings-???

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I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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