Sept. 22, 2017
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Fourth-ranked Penn State (3-0, 0-0 B1G) hits the road for the first time this year, traveling to Iowa (3-0, 0-0 B1G) to open its 25th season of Big Ten football Saturday.
Traveling to Iowa City for the first time since 2012, the Nittany Lions head into unfamiliar territory in a second consecutive outing under the lights, with kick off slated for 7:30 p.m. inside Kinnick Stadium.
Penn State punctuated its nonconference slate with its second shutout of the season last week, taking down Georgia State 56-0 to mark the first time the Nittany Lions have registered a pair of shutouts in a single season since 2007.
Running back Saquon Barkley continued to impress, totaling 142 receiving yards against the Panthers, including an 85-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Trace McSorley. With the second-most receiving yards by a running back in a game Penn State history, Barkley etched his name into the record books with 804 career receiving yards.
From defense to special teams, the Nittany Lions have continued to execute in all three phases. Having surrendered just 14 points to date, Penn State enters the weekend with a 19-1 touchdowns scored to touchdowns allowed ratio.
"On special teams, I just think we have been fantastic," Franklin said. "Our coverage units and our drive start differential from our offense compared to our opponent's offense has been a dramatic factor in games. Pleased with what's going on."
Turning the focus toward the Hawkeyes, the Nittany Lions are focused on the imminent challenge.
"That place is going to be rocking Saturday night," Franklin said. "Their sidelines are very tight. Their fans are going to be right up against you. We want to get our players prepared for that.
We've got to get ready for the noise."
Outside of an unknown atmosphere, Penn State isn't overlooking history either.
"Coach Ferentz, during his tenure, has one of the more consistent teams in all of college football," Franklin said. "You look at what they have been able to do not only against Penn State in our last 10 games but also against ranked opponents. You're talking about a blue-collar team that takes a lot of pride in their fundamentals, their techniques, being sound and playing hard. Really, in some ways, similar to our history and our traditions."
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