The Nittany Lions were able to run the ball, especially late in the game as the Hawkeyes defense wore down. Silas Redd picked up 142 yards on 28 carries.
The Nittany Lions drove 88 and 81 yards on the drives that ended with Fera's first-half field goals but could not get the ball over the goal line. They also marched to the Iowa 5 late in the third quarter but on third down, McGloin's pass to Derek Moye in the end zone was intercepted by Micah Hyde.
But junior linebacker Gerald Hodges, from Paulsboro High, forced a fumble from Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg that was recovered by Nate Stupar at the Hawkeyes 49, and the Lions needed 12 plays to score their first touchdown of the game.
Penn State ran the ball on the first 11 plays, with a holding penalty nullifying an apparent touchdown run by Silas Redd. On the 12th, McGloin faked into the line and found a wide-open Haplea in the end zone.
The Nittany Lions picked off Vandenberg on Iowa's next two possessions. The Hawkeyes drove to their own 41 but Malcolm Willis picked off a fourth-down pass at the Iowa 47. Penn State punted deep into Iowa territory and Nick Sukay intercepted a pass at the Hawkeye 44, with 3 minutes, 42 seconds to play.
Contact staff writer Joe Juliano at 215-854-4494 or jjuliano@phillynews.com
