The stage is set for a primetime whiteout game in Happy Valley, even if the weather conditions will not be the most cooperative. A top-25 showdown in Beaver Stadium is what is on tap with Penn State hosting Iowa from the Big Ten West Diviison. With both teams off to 3-0 starts, something will have to give as the quest to remain unbeaten takes the spotlight in Week 4.
Penn State and Iowa have an established history, which we looked back on this week, and both teams have some questions to answer heading into this week’s game. Penn State’s offense may have been exposed ever so slightly last week in a road win at Illinois. Iowa’s offense is always a question mark, but it may be even more the case with the loss of one of its top offensive weapons last week.
To get an insider’s point of view on this weekend’s matchup from the opposing sideline, we reached out to Josh Helmer of Hawkeyes Wire to ask him a few questions about the visitors this weekend.
Let’s start with a loaded question: Through three games, what is the comfort level with this Iowa offense?
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Josh Helmer: The comfort level still isn’t incredibly high. There’s still hope that it’s an improved unit, but it’s not been consistently good enough. Iowa is still among the nation’s worst in terms of total offense, ranking 119th. The scoring offense saw a nice little jump to 73rd nationally after a big second half versus Western Michigan. But, that total offense number probably does a better job telling the story. There’s been some positives and signs that maybe a legitimate turnaround is still in store, like scoring on each of the Hawkeyes’ first two possessions against Utah State and Iowa State or the second half against WMU. Again, though, way too many lulls with this Iowa offense to feel great about it just yet.
How has Cade McNamara settled into his role running the Iowa offense?
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Josh Helmer: As much as fans can gripe about some of what they’ve seen throughout nonconference play, there’s been a play here or there with Cade McNamara that has Hawkeye fans believing that they finally have a signal-caller that can elevate this offense and program. A nagging quad injury has been a challenge for McNamara and has limited his mobility and probably some of Iowa’s playbook. There’s been flashes, but McNamara would probably be the first to tell you that the 53.5% completion number simply has to get better. Hopefully some of that is new faces in a new place with a new playbook. Time will tell on that front. Then again, really almost anything would have been an upgrade over the quarterbacking Iowa endured a season ago.
From where I sit, I see reports suggesting Iowa will be without Luke Lachey for this game, and perhaps the season. With that being the case, who is stepping up for the Hawkeyes at tight end?
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Josh Helmer: Erick All transferred over with McNamara from Michigan. He hauled in 38 grabs for 437 yards and a couple of scores when the pair led the Wolverines to the Big Ten championship in 2021. So, he’s ready to be the No. 1 option there. Plus, Iowa likes what it has in Lafayette transfer Steven Stilianos and youngster Addison Ostrenga. Luke Lachey is Iowa’s best, most proven pass-catcher and a massive loss, but it actually comes at a position where the Hawkeyes are built to withstand it better than somewhere else.
Iowa always seems to have a stingy defense. Just how stingy are they this year compared to previous seasons?
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Josh Helmer: We’ll find out this week. It’s a different challenge trying to slow down Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Obviously, Drew Allar will be far and away the best quarterback Iowa will have seen to this point and perhaps all season long. It’s a massive challenge this week. The thought is that Phil Parker has another really good unit. Iowa’s secondary is star-laden with Cooper DeJean at cornerback. Plus, Jermari Harris starts opposite DeJean and was really good for Iowa in 2021. Then, the safeties Quinn Schulte and Xavier Nwankpa are two really nice players. The Hawkeyes brought in transfer linebacker Nick Jackson to pair with Jay Higgins. That duo has big shoes to fill as Butkus Award winner Jack Campbell moved on, but they seem to be starting to play their best football coming out of last week where they combined to force a fumble. Up front, Iowa lost Noah Shannon to a suspension from the gambling probe, but the Hawkeyes have names like Logan Lee, Deontae Craig, and Joe Evans that they really like just to name a few.
With all due respect to Iowa State and rivalry with the Cyclones, is it safe to say this is a significantly tougher road test for Iowa?
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Josh Helmer: It’s not even close. The Cy-Hawk game is always one where you throw things out to some degree, but let’s call it what it is. The two offenses for Iowa State and Penn State might not even be playing the same sport right now. Plus, mix in the White Out and Penn State’s talented roster and you’ve got yourself one of the toughest tests college football can provide.
What is the biggest key to success for Iowa against Penn State?
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Josh Helmer: Iowa needs Leshon Williams and Kamari Moulton to be able to do similar things to what happened against Western Michigan a week ago. It was the first time this season that the Hawkeyes really ran the football effectively for four quarters. It was also the most rushing yards Iowa has had in a single game dating back to September of 2021, so it was an important performance in that regard. Lean on the run, set up the play-action and hit some shots when they’re there. Do that and take care of the football and Iowa should be able to keep things interesting with its defense.
What is Iowa’s biggest internal concern as it prepares for Penn State?
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Josh Helmer: The biggest concern has to be that it just simply doesn’t have the offense to seriously factor in a game like this. Maybe that’s too broad, but that’s where we’re at right now with Iowa football. The Hawkeyes have to prove they can put together enough drives and points on the board to go win a game like this.