A few quick thoughts after rewatching game....

[VaNtyLion]

Replay was on ESPNU last night and a few things stood out...

1 - Iowa's D played like warriors but a lot of PSU's issues were self inflicted too. Three penalties in particular were drive killers, including two holdings on our WRs and the chop block on Mahon- all legit calls, imo, but also entirely unnecessary. Penalties have rarely been an issue for PSU in recent years, so may have been due for a game like that. Not a concern but certainly contributing factor to the offense sputtering a bit on Iowa's side of the field.

2 - Related to the above, the decision to put Nelson out there may have made sense to start. He's a vet that would figure to be a stable leader in a crazy atmosphere like that and not sure throwing Fries to the wolves right away made a ton of sense. I can't second guess the logic to start but boy was the right side of the line a problem when he was out there. Love the kid and his heart but seems obvious he's not 100% recovered from his injury. Fries seemed to stabilize a bit and not sure we give up 3 of those sacks (or the pick) with him out there. Hope Nelson regroups and gets some confidence back.

3 - A few guys on D flew under the radar but had great games: Givens (especially on the end), Cam Brown (who continues to look better this year) was flying, and Apke (who in spite of getting beat on the first Iowa TD is looking pretty solid overall this year) .

 

[getmyjive11]

The Mahon block was perfectly legal.

 

[VaNtyLion]

The Mahon block was perfectly legal.

If block comes from side, it's illegal. I can see some potential gray area there based on angle but no real issue with the flag if the ref saw it as coming from the side.

 

[BBrown]

Replay was on ESPNU last night and a few things stood out...

1 - Iowa's D played like warriors but a lot of PSU's issues were self inflicted too. Three penalties in particular were drive killers, including two holdings on our WRs and the chop block on Mahon- all legit calls, imo, but also entirely unnecessary. Penalties have rarely been an issue for PSU in recent years, so may have been due for a game like that. Not a concern but certainly contributing factor to the offense sputtering a bit on Iowa's side of the field.

2 - Related to the above, the decision to put Nelson out there may have made sense to start. He's a vet that would figure to be a stable leader in a crazy atmosphere like that and not sure throwing Fries to the wolves right away made a ton of sense. I can't second guess the logic to start but boy was the right side of the line a problem when he was out there. Love the kid and his heart but seems obvious he's not 100% recovered from his injury. Fries seemed to stabilize a bit and not sure we give up 3 of those sacks (or the pick) with him out there. Hope Nelson regroups and gets some confidence back.

3 - A few guys on D flew under the radar but had great games: Givens (especially on the end), Cam Brown (who continues to look better this year) was flying, and Apke (who in spite of getting beat on the first Iowa TD is looking pretty solid overall this year) .

Some of those penalties the one "holding" call and the block on Mahon were pretty ticky tack.
Agree about Nelson. love his toughness but its just not working out.
If Chasz is out for any length of time they may have to move people around again or
lift a shirt.
I did think Fries did pretty well though after he got settled in.

 

[PSU08Iraq11]

I thought the Mahon block was legal, as well.

 

[VaNtyLion]

Some of those penalties the one "holding" call and the block on Mahon were pretty ticky tack.
Agree about Nelson. love his toughness but its just not working out.
If Chasz is out for any length of time they may have to move people around again or
lift a shirt.
I did think Fries did pretty well though after he got settled in.

I think Charles' penalty was more legit than Thompkins but both had the jersey there.

Sounds like Wright took warmups with 2nd team in Iowa, so hope would be he's back this week. Fries has a very bright future though and confidence in him grows with each game.

 

[BBrown]

I think Charles' penalty was more legit than Thompkins but both had the jersey there.

Sounds like Wright took warmups with 2nd team in Iowa, so hope would be he's back this week. Fries has a very bright future though and confidence in him grows with each game.

Agree about the Charles/Thompkins penalties.
Thats good to know about Wright (first time I've seen that).

 

[lionroar88]

I usually don't go to this effort when re-watching games, but I wanted to see what led to the drives ending:

1st Drive - 11 plays 36 yds 5:31 ToP

1st - McSorley to Barkley for 6yds
2nd - Barkley for 5yds
1st - Holding on Tompkins
1st - McSorley sacked (-3) by #96 due to Nelson not being able to swing out
2nd - McSorley to Sanders for 6
3rd - McSorley to Barkley for 12
1st - McSorley keeper for 11yds
1st - McSorley keeper for 7yds
2nd - Barkley -1 due to McGovern not blocking anyone, had he blocked #41 then #43 is not there to make the play
3rd - McSorley to Barkley for 2yd gain, pass was defended very well by Iowa
4th - Delay of Game - due to McSorley trying to change the play with 13 seconds and no call from sideline
4th - Punt
​

2nd Drive - 4 plays -3 yds :56 ToP

1st - McSorley incomplete pass intended for Gesicki... batted down due to flat pass
2nd - McSorley incomplete pass deep overthrown to Blacknall
3rd - TO - due to call not coming in from sideline
3rd - McSorley sacked (-3) - coverage sack (came from right side on Nelson)
4th - Punt
​

3rd Drive - 11 plays 66 yds 5:06 ToP

1st - Barkley 15 yds
2nd - McSorley pass left to Barkley 5yds
3rd - Barkley left for 6 yds
1st - McSorley pass short middle - 7yds
2nd - Robinson left for 3 yds
1st - McSorley pass left to Barkley for 9 yds
2nd - Barkley left for 12 yds
1st - Robinson left for 8 yds
2nd - McSorley keeper for -1 yds
3rd - McSorley keeper left for 2 yds
4th - FG​

PSU should have gone for it on 4th and 1 with Robinson or Barkley. The play calling on 2nd and 3rd down were head scratchers.

PSU held the ball 11:33 to 3:27 for the 1st Qtr

4th Drive - 10 plays 31 yds 3:25 ToP

1st - McSorley pass incomplete right to Blacknall
2nd - Barkley right for 5 yds
3rd - McSorley pass over middle to Johnson 13 yds
1st - McSorley pass right to Holland for 1 yd
2nd - McSorley pass right to Barkley for 8 yds
3rd - McSorley keeper for 4 yds
1st - McSorley pass left over Barkley's head (wide open)
2nd - McSorley pass left to Barkley for 5 yds
3rd - McSorley pass batted down by #43 (would have gone to Johnson for a certain 1st down)
4th - Missed FG​

5th Drive - 4 plays -2 yds :52 ToP

1st - McSorley keeper right for -2 (Nelson not blocking #94 gets Barkley blownup, this could have been a major injury)
2nd - McSorley pass right to wide open Gesicki - incomplete on really bad under thrown ball
3rd - McSorley pass left to Thompkins - tipped incomplete
4th - Punt (downed at the 1 yd line by Charles)

2 plays later Miller and Allen drop Wadley for the Safety​

6th Drive - 6 plays 35 yds 2:41 ToP

1st - McSorley keeper left for 8yd
2nd - McSorley across middle to Johnson for 18 yds
1st - McSorley pass left batted down
2nd - Barkley right for 7 yds
3rd - McSorley deep center to Polk - pass broken up by Hooker
4th - McSorley pass low to Polk incomplete​

Not sure what the staff was thinking here... we had just kicked a FG because it was 4th down, and had been pinning them deep inside their 15 on the previous 3 punts. Should have pinned them again IMHO.

7th Drive - 5 plays 39 yds 1:09 ToP

1st - Barkley right -2 yds
2nd - McSorley left to Hamilton for 23 yds
1st - McSorley pass right Thompkins for 7 yds
2nd - Barkley middle for 11 yds
1st - McSorley pass left to Gesicki - would have gone for big yds as Gesicki was wide open, Nelson beat bad - intercepted returned to PSU 21 - next play Iowa TD
(note Iowa fans were singing Hey Hey Goodbye)​

8th Drive - 1 play -3 yds :37 ToP

1st - McSorley kneel -3 yds​

PSU held the ball for 8:54 to 6:06 for the 2nd Qtr

--- Half Time ---

9th Drive - 7 plays 65 yds 2:25 ToP

1st - McSorley keeper left for 15 yds
1st - Barkley left for 25 yds
1st - Barkley right for 16 yds
1st - Barkley middle for 1 yd
2nd - McSorley left for -1 yd
3rd - McSorley pass right intended for Johnson in endzone - incomplete
4th - FG​

10th Drive - 8 plays 75 yds 3:07 ToP

1st - Barkley left for 44 yds
1st - McSorley pass left to Gesicki for 4 yds
2nd - Sanders right for 6 yds
1st - Barkley middle for 4 yds
2nd - McSorley across middle to Johnson - incomplete (possible missed defensive PI)
3rd - McSorley pass left for 7 yds
1st - Barkley left for 2 yds
2nd - Barkley right for 8yds TOUCHDOWN​

11th Drive - 6 plays 39 yds 3:37 ToP

1st - Barkley middle for 7 yds
2nd - McSorley pass left to Gesicki for 4 yds
1st - Barkley middle for 7 yds
2nd - McSorley middle for 25 yds - called back for holding on Charles
2nd - McSorley pass left to Hamilton for 23 yds
1st - Barkley left for 8 yds - called back for illegal block by Mahon (BS call because Mahon hit Jewell with his helmet in front of Jewell and his should pads on Jewell's hip)
1st - McSorley pass left to Gesicki for 12 yds
2nd - McSorley forward pass called fumble​

This one really pissed me off. No review, nothing. The ball was clearly in McSorley's hand the entire time until Nelson knocks it out as McSorley's hand is now going forward. They overturned the Halley INT during review and no review here... BS.

PSU held the ball for 9:09 to 5:51 for the 3rd Qtr

Next play is called defensive PI on Campbell, bs call Campbell had inside position and he gets dragged down by #89 who stumbled.

ABC's rules official is a moron... called the forward pass a fumble because 'the ball was moving prior to the forward motion' - it was not. Then says Campbell PI call was correct, when it was not. Then says Campbell wasn't looking back when he grabbed the jersey on next play and should have been called for PI. Dude needs his eyes examined.

12th Drive - 4 plays 6 yds 1:56 ToP

1st - Barkley right for no gain
2nd - McSorley pass right to Johnson for 8 yds
3rd - McSorley keeper up the middle, fumbles recovered by Bates, -2 yds
4th - Punt​

13th Drive - 16 plays 75 yds 7:13 ToP

1st - Barkley left for 9 yds
2nd - Barkley middle for no gain
3rd - False start Mahon
3rd - McSorley pass right to Barkley hurdles #15 for 10 yds
1st - Robinson right for 6 yds
2nd - McSorley pass right to Johnson for 16 yds
1st - Barkley left for 7 yds
2nd - Barkley right for 1 yd
3rd - Barkley right for 1 yd
4th - Barkley middle for 3 yds
1st - Barkley right for 7 yds
2nd - Robinson middle for 2 yds
3rd - McSorley pass left to Barkley for 14 yds
1st - McSorley keeper left for 3 yds
2nd - McSorley keeper middle for -1 yd
3rd - McSorley shuffle pass to Barkley middle for no gain
4th - FG Blocked​

14th Drive - 12 plays 80 yds 1:42 ToP

1st - McSorley pass middle to Johnson for 12 yds
1st - McSorley pass left batted down
2nd - McSorley pass right incomplete
3rd - McSorley pass right to Barkley 8 yds
4th - McSorley pass middle to Blacknall for 6 yds
1st - McSorley keeper middle for 14 yds
1st - McSorley pass right to Johnson for 16 yds
1st - McSorley pass right to Barkley jukes Jewell for 14 yds
1st - McSorley pass right to Gesicki for 3 yds
2nd - McSorley pass left over throws Thompson
3rd - McSorley pass left batted down
4th - McSorley pass middle to Johnson for 7 yds TOUCHDOWN​

PSU held the ball for 10:51 to 4:09 for the 4th Qtr

We left 6pts on the field with the missed FG and blocked FG. No telling what would have happened had McSorley's forward pass not been ruled a fumble, or if the Mahon penalty would have been called correctly. That negated a huge run by Barkley that could have set up a TD or FG, but it led to the first Iowa TD. Looks like we left 6 on the field, and the Refs cost us 7 to 14 pts on the end of 1st half BS.

 

[LionDeNittany]

Replay was on ESPNU last night and a few things stood out...

1 - Iowa's D played like warriors but a lot of PSU's issues were self inflicted too. Three penalties in particular were drive killers, including two holdings on our WRs and the chop block on Mahon- all legit calls, imo, but also entirely unnecessary. Penalties have rarely been an issue for PSU in recent years, so may have been due for a game like that. Not a concern but certainly contributing factor to the offense sputtering a bit on Iowa's side of the field.

2 - Related to the above, the decision to put Nelson out there may have made sense to start. He's a vet that would figure to be a stable leader in a crazy atmosphere like that and not sure throwing Fries to the wolves right away made a ton of sense. I can't second guess the logic to start but boy was the right side of the line a problem when he was out there. Love the kid and his heart but seems obvious he's not 100% recovered from his injury. Fries seemed to stabilize a bit and not sure we give up 3 of those sacks (or the pick) with him out there. Hope Nelson regroups and gets some confidence back.

3 - A few guys on D flew under the radar but had great games: Givens (especially on the end), Cam Brown (who continues to look better this year) was flying, and Apke (who in spite of getting beat on the first Iowa TD is looking pretty solid overall this year) .

When I read your "self inflicted" comment I thought it would follow with missed passes, slipping on potential big plays and generally lack of aggressiveness.

I think the team was expecting to win and was simply waiting for it to happen.

The yardage was there, but the finishing was not.

There were plenty of plays where I normally would have expected the play to go to the house yet it didn't.

I think field conditions had a lot to do with that.

LdN

 

[lionroar88]

Very good points.

FWIW, the call on Mahon was for a crackback block. The key element in the enforcement of the rule is to prevent offensive players from coming from out wide and blind-siding/"cracking" a defender in the middle of the field - especially below the waist. If you've watched the NFL over the years, picture a classic Hines Ward block (back when doing so was legal). So, from an officiating standpoint, one of the required elements for the block to be a "crackback" is for the blocker to be entering the defender's body while moving from the outside of the field - outside of the defender's natural field of vision - to the middle of the field.

To call that flag highly questionable would probably be an understatement. To refer to it as a horrendous call would probably be accurate.

Yep and Jewell saw him coming and turned to his right so he wouldn't end up on his ass.

 

[PSU.:.]

Iowa D is perfect example of a bend but don’t break D. Thought they did a very good job at limiting big plays.Could see a lot of Defenses playing this way agsinst PSU O rest of the season.

 

[Lion84]

I usually don't go to this effort when re-watching games, but I wanted to see what led to the drives ending:

1st Drive - 11 plays 36 yds 5:31 ToP

1st - McSorley to Barkley for 6yds
2nd - Barkley for 5yds
1st - Holding on Tompkins
1st - McSorley sacked (-3) by #96 due to Nelson not being able to swing out
2nd - McSorley to Sanders for 6
3rd - McSorley to Barkley for 12
1st - McSorley keeper for 11yds
1st - McSorley keeper for 7yds
2nd - Barkley -1 due to McGovern not blocking anyone, had he blocked #41 then #43 is not there to make the play
3rd - McSorley to Barkley for 2yd gain, pass was defended very well by Iowa
4th - Delay of Game - due to McSorley trying to change the play with 13 seconds and no call from sideline
4th - Punt
​

2nd Drive - 4 plays -3 yds :56 ToP

1st - McSorley incomplete pass intended for Gesicki... batted down due to flat pass
2nd - McSorley incomplete pass deep overthrown to Blacknall
3rd - TO - due to call not coming in from sideline
3rd - McSorley sacked (-3) - coverage sack (came from right side on Nelson)
4th - Punt
​

3rd Drive - 11 plays 66 yds 5:06 ToP

1st - Barkley 15 yds
2nd - McSorley pass left to Barkley 5yds
3rd - Barkley left for 6 yds
1st - McSorley pass short middle - 7yds
2nd - Robinson left for 3 yds
1st - McSorley pass left to Barkley for 9 yds
2nd - Barkley left for 12 yds
1st - Robinson left for 8 yds
2nd - McSorley keeper for -1 yds
3rd - McSorley keeper left for 2 yds
4th - FG​

PSU should have gone for it on 4th and 1 with Robinson or Barkley. The play calling on 2nd and 3rd down were head scratchers.

PSU held the ball 11:33 to 3:27 for the 1st Qtr

4th Drive - 10 plays 31 yds 3:25 ToP

1st - McSorley pass incomplete right to Blacknall
2nd - Barkley right for 5 yds
3rd - McSorley pass over middle to Johnson 13 yds
1st - McSorley pass right to Holland for 1 yd
2nd - McSorley pass right to Barkley for 8 yds
3rd - McSorley keeper for 4 yds
1st - McSorley pass left over Barkley's head (wide open)
2nd - McSorley pass left to Barkley for 5 yds
3rd - McSorley pass batted down by #43 (would have gone to Johnson for a certain 1st down)
4th - Missed FG​

5th Drive - 4 plays -2 yds :52 ToP

1st - McSorley keeper right for -2 (Nelson not blocking #94 gets Barkley blownup, this could have been a major injury)
2nd - McSorley pass right to wide open Gesicki - incomplete on really bad under thrown ball
3rd - McSorley pass left to Thompkins - tipped incomplete
4th - Punt (downed at the 1 yd line by Charles)

2 plays later Miller and Allen drop Wadley for the Safety​

6th Drive - 6 plays 35 yds 2:41 ToP

1st - McSorley keeper left for 8yd
2nd - McSorley across middle to Johnson for 18 yds
1st - McSorley pass left batted down
2nd - Barkley right for 7 yds
3rd - McSorley deep center to Polk - pass broken up by Hooker
4th - McSorley pass low to Polk incomplete​

Not sure what the staff was thinking here... we had just kicked a FG because it was 4th down, and had been pinning them deep inside their 15 on the previous 3 punts. Should have pinned them again IMHO.

7th Drive - 5 plays 39 yds 1:09 ToP

1st - Barkley right -2 yds
2nd - McSorley left to Hamilton for 23 yds
1st - McSorley pass right Thompkins for 7 yds
2nd - Barkley middle for 11 yds
1st - McSorley pass left to Gesicki - would have gone for big yds as Gesicki was wide open, Nelson beat bad - intercepted returned to PSU 21 - next play Iowa TD
(note Iowa fans were singing Hey Hey Goodbye)​

8th Drive - 1 play -3 yds :37 ToP

1st - McSorley kneel -3 yds​

PSU held the ball for 8:54 to 6:06 for the 2nd Qtr

--- Half Time ---

9th Drive - 7 plays 65 yds 2:25 ToP

1st - McSorley keeper left for 15 yds
1st - Barkley left for 25 yds
1st - Barkley right for 16 yds
1st - Barkley middle for 1 yd
2nd - McSorley left for -1 yd
3rd - McSorley pass right intended for Johnson in endzone - incomplete
4th - FG​

10th Drive - 8 plays 75 yds 3:07 ToP

1st - Barkley left for 44 yds
1st - McSorley pass left to Gesicki for 4 yds
2nd - Sanders right for 6 yds
1st - Barkley middle for 4 yds
2nd - McSorley across middle to Johnson - incomplete (possible missed defensive PI)
3rd - McSorley pass left for 7 yds
1st - Barkley left for 2 yds
2nd - Barkley right for 8yds TOUCHDOWN​

11th Drive - 6 plays 39 yds 3:37 ToP

1st - Barkley middle for 7 yds
2nd - McSorley pass left to Gesicki for 4 yds
1st - Barkley middle for 7 yds
2nd - McSorley middle for 25 yds - called back for holding on Charles
2nd - McSorley pass left to Hamilton for 23 yds
1st - Barkley left for 8 yds - called back for illegal block by Mahon (BS call because Mahon hit Jewell with his helmet in front of Jewell and his should pads on Jewell's hip)
1st - McSorley pass left to Gesicki for 12 yds
2nd - McSorley forward pass called fumble​

This one really pissed me off. No review, nothing. The ball was clearly in McSorley's hand the entire time until Nelson knocks it out as McSorley's hand is now going forward. They overturned the Halley INT during review and no review here... BS.

PSU held the ball for 9:09 to 5:51 for the 3rd Qtr

Next play is called defensive PI on Campbell, bs call Campbell had inside position and he gets dragged down by #89 who stumbled.

ABC's rules official is a moron... called the forward pass a fumble because 'the ball was moving prior to the forward motion' - it was not. Then says Campbell PI call was correct, when it was not. Then says Campbell wasn't looking back when he grabbed the jersey on next play and should have been called for PI. Dude needs his eyes examined.

12th Drive - 4 plays 6 yds 1:56 ToP

1st - Barkley right for no gain
2nd - McSorley pass right to Johnson for 8 yds
3rd - McSorley keeper up the middle, fumbles recovered by Bates, -2 yds
4th - Punt​

13th Drive - 16 plays 75 yds 7:13 ToP

1st - Barkley left for 9 yds
2nd - Barkley middle for no gain
3rd - False start Mahon
3rd - McSorley pass right to Barkley hurdles #15 for 10 yds
1st - Robinson right for 6 yds
2nd - McSorley pass right to Johnson for 16 yds
1st - Barkley left for 7 yds
2nd - Barkley right for 1 yd
3rd - Barkley right for 1 yd
4th - Barkley middle for 3 yds
1st - Barkley right for 7 yds
2nd - Robinson middle for 2 yds
3rd - McSorley pass left to Barkley for 14 yds
1st - McSorley keeper left for 3 yds
2nd - McSorley keeper middle for -1 yd
3rd - McSorley shuffle pass to Barkley middle for no gain
4th - FG Blocked​

14th Drive - 12 plays 80 yds 1:42 ToP

1st - McSorley pass middle to Johnson for 12 yds
1st - McSorley pass left batted down
2nd - McSorley pass right incomplete
3rd - McSorley pass right to Barkley 8 yds
4th - McSorley pass middle to Blacknall for 6 yds
1st - McSorley keeper middle for 14 yds
1st - McSorley pass right to Johnson for 16 yds
1st - McSorley pass right to Barkley jukes Jewell for 14 yds
1st - McSorley pass right to Gesicki for 3 yds
2nd - McSorley pass left over throws Thompson
3rd - McSorley pass left batted down
4th - McSorley pass middle to Johnson for 7 yds TOUCHDOWN​

PSU held the ball for 10:51 to 4:09 for the 4th Qtr

We left 6pts on the field with the missed FG and blocked FG. No telling what would have happened had McSorley's forward pass not been ruled a fumble, or if the Mahon penalty would have been called correctly. That negated a huge run by Barkley that could have set up a TD or FG, but it led to the first Iowa TD. Looks like we left 6 on the field, and the Refs cost us 7 to 14 pts on the end of 1st half BS.

Wow - nice write up. Agreed that the ref's killed some drives but we have to execute better - I know we took what was given and as all good teams do got it done in the end. Maybe this will be the wake up call like Minny last year and get the team really focused and not to say they aren't because I am not on the field or in practice but this type of win by gutting it out might be able to help.

 

[getmyjive11]

If block comes from side, it's illegal. I can see some potential gray area there based on angle but no real issue with the flag if the ref saw it as coming from the side.

The block was from the front but the Iowa defender twisted as he was being hit. It was a great job by Mahon.

 

[lionroar88]

Wow - nice write up. Agreed that the ref's killed some drives but we have to execute better - I know we took what was given and as all good teams do got it done in the end. Maybe this will be the wake up call like Minny last year and get the team really focused and not to say they aren't because I am not on the field or in practice but this type of win by gutting it out might be able to help.

That is what I told my BiL on Sunday. They did what they needed to do. Won a tough, hard fought, game on the road in a hostile environment, and came back to win at that! This is a mettle building game. They have won 2 softie games, 1 semi-rivalry game, and 1 hostile road game against an unbeaten team...

 

[Pocono Lion]

Very good points.

FWIW, the call on Mahon was for a crackback block. The key element in the enforcement of the rule is to prevent offensive players from coming from out wide and blind-siding/"cracking" a defender in the middle of the field - especially below the waist. If you've watched the NFL over the years, picture a classic Hines Ward block (back when doing so was legal). So, from an officiating standpoint, one of the required elements for the block to be a "crackback" is for the blocker to be entering the defender's body while moving from the outside of the field - outside of the defender's natural field of vision - to the middle of the field.

To call that flag highly questionable would probably be an understatement. To refer to it as a horrendous call would probably be accurate.

It was not called as a crack back block, it was called as an illegal block below the waist.

 

[PSU08Iraq11]

Which it wasn't. It was a beautiful block.

 

[GOLDBANGER]

Gesicki was WIDE open on the interception to Jewell.

 

[Cletus11]

Gesicki was WIDE open on the interception to Jewell.

Yeah, that INT at the end of the half was the real turning point. Nelson gets just a little bit better block and has the foot quickness to get just a little push of the defensive end (as the guy basically came in unblocked) and Trace hits Gesicki for a 20 yard gain, PSU gets at least a FG and it is 11-0 going into half with PSU having 100% of the momentum. Instead, Iowa scores a TD, it is a 10 point swing with a huge amount of momentum.

 

[EPC FAN]

When I read your "self inflicted" comment I thought it would follow with missed passes, slipping on potential big plays and generally lack of aggressiveness.

I think the team was expecting to win and was simply waiting for it to happen.

The yardage was there, but the finishing was not.

There were plenty of plays where I normally would have expected the play to go to the house yet it didn't.

I think field conditions had a lot to do with that.

LdN

That field was purposely slowed up with the addition of rubber pellets.

 

[83wuzme]

How many deflected or batted passes were there ? One resulted in an interception. There had to be ar least five.

 

[BBrown]

That field was purposely slowed up with the addition of rubber pellets.

I have never seen that many rubber pellets flying around on a football field.

 

[Colorado Man]

Yeah, that INT at the end of the half was the real turning point. Nelson gets just a little bit better block and has the foot quickness to get just a little push of the defensive end (as the guy basically came in unblocked) and Trace hits Gesicki for a 20 yard gain, PSU gets at least a FG and it is 11-0 going into half with PSU having 100% of the momentum. Instead, Iowa scores a TD, it is a 10 point swing with a huge amount of momentum.

It was 5-0. A FG would make it 8-0. Just saying.

 

[Colorado Man]

I was impressed with the Iowa DLinemen. Tall, lean, athletic. It seems that most of the pass blocks were on the offensive left side. The thread to Blacknall on 4th and 2 was a thing of beauty.

Iowa D is perfect example of a bend but don’t break D. Thought they did a very good job at limiting big plays.Could see a lot of Defenses playing this way agsinst PSU O rest of the season.

JF addressed that in his post game interview.

 

[Crafty Beaver]

Which it wasn't. It was a beautiful block.

I thought you couldn't block below the waist outside the tackle box?